The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced last week that it has published three important Federal Register notices, court decisions, and legislation regarding its final ruling on approving oral fluid drug testing of safety-sensitive employees. If you own a trucking business, you may be looking forward to switching some of your policies and procedures so you Read more »
Chronic Pain, Medications, and the Workplace
The fact that living with chronic pain requires endurance is undeniable. Many people believe that it would be an unbearable fate to endure. Those suffering from chronic pain understand the true meaning of the phrase, “grin and bear it” though. Even though their body is under constant assault, they still have a life to live Read more »
DEA 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment Released
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the National Drug Threat Assessment for 2024 in May and its findings are certainly concurrent with what we’re seeing take place across the United States. There is a definite change from plant-based drugs to synthetic drugs. Fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to destroy lives at an alarming rate. Overdose deaths, Read more »
Rhino Tranq Barrels into U.S. Drug Culture
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) in Horsham, Philadelphia partners with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and tests illicit drugs. In late April, the center discovered medetomidine in the confiscated street drugs tested. Rhino tranq is what this hard-hitting sedative is called on the street and it’s even more powerful than Read more »
What is the DOT Chain of Custody?
The Department of Transportation outlines the process that all safety-sensitive employers must follow regarding drug testing. Employers of the safety-sensitive workforce must adhere strictly to the DOT chain of custody process, as should everyone who handles the specimens submitted for the DOT drug test. Making things even more concrete, collectors, lab techs, and MROs record Read more »
Psychotropic Medication Overdoses Rising
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five adults in the United States struggle with a mental health condition. Psychotropic drugs are considered an answer to that problem. They affect behavior, mood, thought, and perception. The category encompasses a wide range of medications prescribed to improve a patient’s mental health. Physicians Read more »
Substance Abuse Takes a Toll on the Workplace
Substance abuse disrupts the workplace in many ways. An employee’s job performance is the first tell-tale sign, however, the fact that it’s caused by drug use may go unnoticed for a time. Eventually, though, unless the employee quits their job and moves on—a likely scenario—the issue comes to light. Drug use causes cognitive, behavioral, and Read more »
How Long Does Marijuana Stay in Your System?
Metabolism is a constantly occurring process within every cell of your body. It’s necessary to maintain life. The body metabolizes everything put in it whether it’s life-sustaining or not. For instance, your body metabolizes the THC in marijuana. Marijuana metabolites stow away in your body anywhere from a few days to over a month. How Read more »