CDARS shall contact SAPS within how many hours of the commanding officer's notification of a potential substance-related issue?

• A. 12 hours
• B. 24 hours
• C. 48 hours
• D. 72 hours

Answer: (B)

Prompt involvement of law enforcement after a potential substance-related issue is identified is essential to protect personnel, ensure safety, and preserve evidence for any investigation. The rule requires contacting SAPS within one day of the commanding officer’s notification so SAPS can promptly initiate the investigation and coordinate next steps. This timing helps ensure timely action, supports proper chain of custody, and allows resources to be allocated without unnecessary delay. If the reporting window is too short, it may be impractical to gather and relay all necessary information; if it stretches too long, critical evidence and safety actions could be compromised. So the appropriate timing is to reach out within a day to keep the process efficient and effective.