Last updated : December 16, 2024
There has been a lot of news within the drug and alcohol testing industry and USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio wants to provide you with the latest informative news. In this post, we will cover topics relating to CBD, alcohol testing during COVID-19, news around the opioid epidemic and the coronavirus pandemic, as well as updates about the DOT Clearinghouse.
CBD Products & Drug Testing
As CBD has been an upcoming trend in our world, there are important facts to know about CBD products and how they relate to drug testing. The National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) published a helpful guide to have on hand in your drug-free workplace. You can read more about CBD, THC, and impairment here. If you are interested in learning more about CBD and drug testing, you can also read our blog post here.
Alcohol Testing in the World of COVID-19
Companies around the globe have had to find new ways to conduct their businesses with the advent of COVID-19 on the scene. The drug and alcohol testing industry is no different, which is why oral fluid testing has become more prominent.
USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio has switched to the Alco Screen test as an initial method to screen for the absence or presence of alcohol when conducting alcohol testing. This informative video by Karen Kitchen explains how Alco Screen tests work as an effective method for an initial alcohol test.
Additional guidance from NDASA on alcohol screening safety during COVID-19 can be referenced here.
Opioid Epidemic & Coronavirus Pandemic News
According to a recent NDASA blog, “addiction doctors and policy experts are already seeing that the conditions of COVID-19 – stress, isolation, financial hardship and less access to support systems – are resulting in spikes in substance use with some devastating repercussions for the roughly half-million Americans addicted to opioids.”
Drug and alcohol use already contribute to employee tardiness, absenteeism, theft, workplace accidents, and workers’ comp claims. And, the stress from COVID-19 can increase the risk of employees using drugs or alcohol while they are on the job.
Now more than ever, it is important for employers to maintain a safe workplace, and implementing a drug-free workplace policy can help your company achieve that goal.
DOT Clearinghouse
The DOT Clearinghouse was created as an electronic database to capture positive drug and alcohol test results among CDL drivers in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you are a DOT customer, did you know fast essay writing service that you are required by law to register for the Clearinghouse? Commercial trucking employers are also required to conduct annual queries for their CDL drivers. To learn more about the DOT Clearinghouse, we recommend reading NDASA’s informative news article here.
Summary
Lastly, if your company is still considering whether or not to implement a drug-free workplace program, we recommend reading this NDASA article. It outlines great questions for you to consider when choosing your drug testing provider.
USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio is happy to answer any questions you have. We can be contacted at 440-653-5003, emailed at [email protected], or you can fill out the form on this page.
