On November 13, 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation disrupted the drug testing industry in a powerful and meaningful way. Effective January 1, 2018, the DOT drug test panel will include hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone. Some common names for these semi-synthetic opioids include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, Exalgo®. Generally prescribed [...]
With workplace addiction at an all-time high, many businesses are choosing more proactive steps to ensure that their workforce is healthy and productive. Unfortunately, an accident is often the first clue that a problem exists. American businesses lose 81 billion dollars per year due to drug use – most of which is incurred before [...]
Yes. A BIG FAT yes. Some companies mistakenly think that getting drug test results directly from a lab or from an in-house-administered instant test is good enough. And after reading this, they may still consider it worth the risk. But make no mistake. There are risks. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring a fair, reliable [...]
Low energy, confusion, sleep problems, memory problems, irritability and mood swings If you have any of these (Many of us do), you may be deficient in Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is not like other vitamins and many of us benefit from supplementation. In fact, a Tufts University study suggests 40 percent [...]
Q. Do I have to allow medical or recreational use of marijuana since it is legal in my state? A. The short answer is no. So far. Up to this point, every time an employee has challenged a company’s drug policy, the company has prevailed. The operational word, though, is “policy.” If your company [...]
Workplace drug testing has become more important in 2016 than ever before. It is no secret that the number of people in the United States who use marijuana is growing rapidly. Hollywood seems to cash in on the sensationalism as producers such as Chuck Lorre are working on new comedy series, portraying the use [...]
"Drug overdoses, predominately from opioids, now exceed car crashes as the leading cause of unintentional death." --National Safety Council In its publication “The proactive role employers can take: OPIOIDS IN THE WORKPLACE,” The National Safety Council describes, “a disturbing trend The Growing Concern of Opioids in the Workplace [which] has [...]
One out of three owners of small businesses say that workers comp claims costs are challenging their bottom line. Many states offer a mandated workers comp discount for drug-free workplace programs. That alone illustrates their effectiveness. 1) Promote a safety culture — persistently Constantly messaging about safety promotes a strong safety culture. When interviewing [...]
Many years ago, I remember driving through the state of Pennsylvania. As you entered the state, there was a menu which described the fines for speeding. It was memorable because you could decide what level of fine you were willing to risk by going 5, 10, or 50 mph over the speed limit. It [...]
The substance abuse landscape is changing rapidly, and companies are advised to keep up, or there may be a price to pay. 1) What’s in your panel? A drug test detects only what you test for. If you want to detect Oxycontin, you have to test for it. Many companies have employees that fall [...]
