Author: John

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Synthetic Drugs On the Rise

April 13, 2016

Synthetic DrugsAdolphe Joseph, 34, is serving a 10-year prison sentence for smuggling fentanyl, an opiate 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. But he has not been charged for the nearly three pounds of a synthetic opiate more than 10,000 times as powerful as morphine investigators found in his South Florida home last Fall. Nor will he be, say prosecutors.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opiate analgesic similar to but more potent than morphine. It is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat people with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to opiates. It is a schedule II prescription drug.

Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opiate receptors, highly concentrated in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. When opiate drugs bind to these receptors, they can drive up dopamine levels in the brain’s reward areas, producing a state of euphoria and relaxation.

W-18 is one of thousands of synthetic opiates that is not scheduled as a controlled substance and thus not subject to criminal drug penalties, and one of a handful of drugs that law enforcement officials and scientists say they have seen in increasing numbers in the last six months, as use, abuse and overdose deaths continues to rise.

U-47700, which is seven to eight times stronger than morphine, has been the source of overdoses over the past year in at least 10 states since the first US incident was discovered in Knoxville, Tennessee, in June 2015.

Barry Logan, the executive director for the Center of Forensic Science and Education, said his lab has been able to track down 17 overdose cases of U-47700. And several other overdose deaths and hospitalizations have been identified by local law enforcement in Florida and northern Texas.

Overdoses on synthetic opioids “may be reported as a heroin overdose death unless the medical examiners dig down deep”, said Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman Russ Bare. He said forensics scientists often will not take steps to search for existence of a specific compound unless an individual overdoses near drug paraphernalia, or there is other environmental evidence.

Jim Hall, a prominent South Florida epidemiologist, said the chatter he’s been hearing from experts and law enforcement about U-47700 in the last few weeks reminds him of the beginning of the Flakka epidemic. Flakka caused panic in the Broward County area over the last few years due to high fatal overdose rates and its effects of causing violent hallucinations paired with superhuman strength.

When Broward prosecutor Anita White was charging Joseph, she found that W-18 was too chemically different from any other controlled substance to make a case at all. Since opiates already resemble the brain’s own natural substances in chemical structure, the brain easily assimilates opiate effects within its chemical system. As tolerance levels increase, a dependency cycle takes root leaving the brain unable to regulate chemical processes normally without the drug’s effects.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the entire United States, Accredited Drug Testing is there to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs. For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc
Health Screening USA Inc

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Mr. James A. Greer Elected to National Board of Directors

April 12, 2016
(Orlando, FL) Accredited Drug Testing Inc. announced the election of Mr. James A. Greer, to a three-year term as James A Greer a member of the Drug and Alcohol

Testing Association’s national board of directors. Mr. Greer currently
serves as the President/CEO of Accredited Drug Testing Inc. and Health Screenings USA Inc., both companies which provide drug, alcohol and DNA testing nationwide.

Philip Dubois, Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) Chairman, stated the following, “The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association welcomes Jim Greer to our board of directors, and looks forward to utilizing his extensive experience both in business and government in achieving DATIA’s goals and objectives. As President of one of the nation’s leading providers in drug testing, Jim understands the issues and challenges our industry faces.” 

Joseph Reilly, past DATIA Chairman and current board member also stated, “As the former Chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association, and as a current board member, I am pleased that Jim has been elected to our national governing board. Jim’s experience as a successful businessman and elected official, along with his knowledge of the political process on the state and national level will be a great asset to achieving DATIA’s goals.”

Jim stated, “I’m honored to have been elected to the DATIA Board of Directors, and I look forward to working with the DATIA membership and staff in achieving the organization’s common goals.”

Jim Greer currently serves as a member of DATIA’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee and Marijuana Outreach Committee. From 1984 to 2007, Mr. Greer was Chairman/President of Regulatory Compliance Services Inc., a firm providing regulatory training to the nation’s hospitality industry with revenues exceeding $4 million annually. In addition to his professional experience, Mr. Greer has served as a Senior Political Advisor to various political campaigns, and has held elected office on the local, state and national levels. His community service includes; serving as President of his Rotary International Club, a member of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and a volunteer with Helpful Hands Inc., a community charity program. Mr. Greer and his wife Lisa, have five children, Hunter, Amber, Austin, Aidan, and Hope.

Mr. Greer has received numerous awards and recognitions for his leadership and business success including: Business Person of the Year, Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International, and Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Greer holds a degree from Seminole State College and is a graduate of the Advanced Institute for Elected Officials. He also holds certification as a professional collector trainer (CPCT).

For additional information, contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc

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Drug Store Paternity Test, Are They Accurate?

April 6, 2016

DNA TestingEngland’s controversial talk show host Jeremy Kyle, of the “The Jeremy Kyle Show,” recently released a brand of at home paternity tests that are flying off the shelves. AlphaBioLabs in Warrington started selling the DIY kits through discount retail chain stores about 18 months ago and they have seen amazing sales figures.

Three thousand tests have been purchased over the last 18 months, and continue to be snapped up all over the country. AlphaBioLabs sells them for £5, which is about seven U.S dollars, and are available across the country. The tests claim to be 99.9% accurate, and results can be sent back within 24 hours, although you will have to pay nearly £100 ($140) for this service.

Managing director of AlphaBiolabs, David Thomas, said: “We were convinced that consumers wanted the option of being able to see the product and walk away with it in their basket. “These are not accredited to the high standard which the UK public want, so we want AlphaBiolabs to always strive to bring the fastest, most accurate DNA testing service available and fly the flag for UK.” The Liverpool firm behind the kit have recently invested a million pounds into analytical equipment, enabling them to lead the way in the industry.

According to the directions, you take a cotton swab and rub it inside the child’s mouth. That will provide enough DNA for the test. The man who may or may not be the father has to do the same. After you collect the DNA and send it in, it takes three to five days for the test to come back, and you go to a confidential Web site and get the results.

While the tests are believed to be accurate there are some reasons why women and couples may want to consult a professional laboratory for paternity tests, said Brad Imler, president of the American Pregnancy Association.

“There’s no risk of harm from a medical standpoint,” he said. “Although they’re not admissible in court. And, from an emotional standpoint, it’s a good idea to see a professional. It doesn’t have to be a doctor, but someone who is prepared to discuss the result with you if it comes back in a way you were not expecting.”

With paternity testing centers throughout the entire United States, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is available to answer all of your paternity testing questions and needs.

For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc

 

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Drug Overdoses at a Record High

April 3, 2016

Drug Overdose“Overdoses from heroin, prescription drugs, and opioid painkillers have overtaken car accidents to become the leading cause of injury-related deaths in America,” The Economist reports. “In 2014, they were responsible for 28,647 deaths.  Between 2001 and 2014, deaths from heroin overdoses alone increased six-fold, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. On average, 125 people a day die from drug overdoses, 78 of them from heroin or painkillers.

“Heroin use, which used to be concentrated among low-income men in urban areas, now cuts across regions and demographic groups,” The Economist continues. “It is rampant in rural and suburban areas, like West Virginia and New Hampshire, and increasing among women and Americans in higher income brackets. Among adults aged between 18 and 25, heroin use has more than doubled in the last ten years. The problem has come increasingly into public view as police find users unconscious or dead in bathrooms, restaurants, parks, and libraries.”

Heroin is an opioid, that is synthesized from morphine. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2011, 4.2 million Americans (aged 12 or older) had used heroin once in their lives. Prescription opioid pain medications such as OxyContin and Vicodin have similar effects to heroin, and when abused, are common gateways to chronic heroin use. Heroin and similar opioids can be easily detected in a 10 panel drug screening.

In St. Louis, one of America’s most dangerous cities, turf wars among drug dealers responding to an influx of cheap heroin from a Mexican cartel fueled a sharp spike in the murder rate. In a trend mimicked in large cities nationally, many of the heroin consumers in St. Louis are young whites in their 20s, who drive into the city from suburbs and distant rural areas. And while most heroin overdose victims here are white, nearly all of the shooting victims and suspects in St. Louis this year have been African-American men and boys. Due to its potency, many users continue and even increase use of the drug to “chase the same high,” to ease the physical dependency. Chronic users become physically dependent on the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Police departments are training their staff to use naloxone, the lifesaving antidote for heroin overdoses. Unlike paramedics, the police department will be trained to administer the antidote using a nasal spray. Law enforcement officers are generally the first to respond to emergency calls, and training them to resuscitate a heroin overdose can mean life or death.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the entire United States, Accredited Drug Testing is there to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs.

For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc

 

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Accredited Drug Testing Supports Local Community

March 30, 2016

Accredited Drug Testing CentersHelpful Hands, Inc. is a local charity with a mission to enhance the quality of life of children, individuals and families from our community who are in crisis.

Last year, our Fifth Annual Golf Tournament was successful beyond what we dared hope. Keeping to our mission, with the monies raised we initiated many of our programs: ‘Celebration Parties’ honoring milestones for children affected by cancer; sports programs; 4 – H camp; and we also fully-funded the Oviedo Police Department summer camp for at-risk youth in the community.

We also have a fine arts program that offers talented
children identified through the Seminole County Public Schools, the opportunity for piano lessons and a piano by partnering with the Steinway Piano Bank as well as children with a gift for the dramatic an opportunity participate in the Wayne Densch Theater Performing Arts Center camp.

There is more to be done, and this year with your support of our Sixth Annual Golf Tournament we will expand these programs and implement others. Thank you for your support of our community.

” Thank You to Jim Greer and Accredited Drug Testing Inc. our latest Premium Helpful Hands Foursome Sponsor for our 6th Annual Golf Tournament. We appreciate your support of our charitable foundation and all that you do for our community! ” -Helpful Hands, Inc

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Could Decriminalizing All Drugs End the War on Drugs?

March 25, 2016

Decriminalizing

The war on drugs has been faced with a global front, uniting nations from all over the world attempting to destroy the drug dealing networks. “The global war on drugs has harmed public health, human rights and development,” said commissioner Chris Beyrer, an epidemiology professor at Johns Hopkins’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. “It’s time for us to rethink our approach to global drug policies, and put scientific evidence and public health at the heart of drug policy discussions.”

“The goal of prohibiting all use, possession, production and trafficking of illicit drugs is the basis of many of our national drug laws, but these policies are based on ideas about drug use and drug dependence that are not scientifically grounded,” Beyrer said.

Beyrer is one of the authors of a new report published last week that comes ahead of a U.N. summit on the issue in April. The international commission urged governments to decriminalize “minor and nonviolent drug use, possession and petty sale; enactment of policies that reduce violence and discrimination in drug policing.” “Such measures could lead to decreases in drug-related violence worldwide, the authors suggest. They refer to data from Central America and Mexico, where homicides increased following military and police action taken against drug trafficking.

Despite the prominent support for an end of the war on drugs, it is considered unlikely that the upcoming U.N. summit will change much about current policies.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the entire United States, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is available to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs. For more information contact:

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Belgian Police Use DNA to Find Suspects in Brussels Airport Bombing

March 28, 2016

Police Use DNA Testing

Belgian investigators are currently analysing DNA from the bombing in a Brussels airport to link a connection to the Paris bombings. French authorities say that the DNA found on one of the bombers vests in the Brussels airport was also found on a vest from the Paris attacks, which killed 130 people in November 2015.

There were two blasts at about 8AM on March 22nd ripped through the Belgian city’s main airport. An hour later, an explosion struck the subway station of Maelbeek, in the heart of Brussels. The attacks, claimed by ISIS and believed to have been carried out by five terrorists, killed 31 people and injured more than 300.

“After explosions like these, the first step is to collect all the objects from the blast scene that could be associated with the attack,” David Foran, the Director of the forensic science program at Michigan State University’s School of Criminal Justice says. “In the case of the Brussels attack, these likely included fragments of the explosive devices, screws and nails reportedly used as shrapnel, and the suitcases and luggage carts the suspects are shown pushing through the airport in security footage.”

The second step is to bring all recovered objects to the lab and swab them to collect any traces of DNA that have survived the blast. This is where things get tricky: DNA can be damaged by heat.”DNA will burn, just like any part of your body can burn,” Foran says. “It doesn’t like direct flame.”

“DNA evidence recovered from explosive devices isn’t usually high-quality. It mostly comes from fingerprints left by whoever handled the bombs and the containers, like suitcases and backpacks, where the devices were placed,” Foran says. If investigators are able to zero in on a DNA sample, the last step is to enter it into a database to see whether it matches with existing DNA records.

With DNA evidence found at the Brussels airport, Belgian investigators identified Najim Laachraoui, a 24-year-old Belgian citizen born in Morocco, as one of the suspects. It’s not clear how French and Belgian investigators had a record of his DNA in the first place. But it matched with DNA evidence found not only on suicide vests used in Paris, but also in two houses in Belgium.

With DNA and background testing centers throughout the entire state of Michigan, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is available to answer all of your DNA and background testing questions and needs. For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc

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March Newsletter

In This Month’s Issue

  • -Legal Brief
  • -DOT Corner
  • -DATIA News
  • -Did You Know?
  • -Our Team

Legal Brief
U.S Supreme Court Still Debating On Colorado Marijuana Case
Earlier this month the Supreme Court decided to continue to debating on the lawsuit brought against Colorado concerning the legalization of marijuana. The case brought to the Supreme Court by neighboring states Nebraska and Oklahoma, is on how Colorado’s legislation impermissibly conflicts with federal law and creates burdens for them by increasing the amount of pot coming across their borders.

The case has been pending for more than a year, and the courts will continue to host private meetings on the matter.

DOT Corner
New Training Requirements for Bus and Truck Drivers Proposed. The Obama Administration has proposed new standards this month for commercial truck and bus drivers.  The proposal sets new rules for obtaining a Class A and B CDL.

To obtain a Class A CDL, which is required to drive a tractor-trailer type vehicle that weighs 26,001 pounds or more, a driver would have to complete 30 hours of behind-the-wheel training with and instructional program that meets FMCSA standards. Of the 30 hours, 10 must be on a practice driving range.

For a Class B CDL, which is required to operate a heavy straight trucks like a dump truck or box truck, and a school bus, city transit bus or motor coach, drivers would have to log a minimum of 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Of the 15 hours, seven hours would have to be on a practice driving range.

The new rules would apply to first-time CDL applications, current CDL holders that want to upgrade their license and previously disqualified drivers now looking to re-acquire a CDL license.
DATIA News
Lawmaker calls for drug testing Legislative members after welfare drug testing bill passed
A McDowell County lawmaker is calling for the implementation of a random drug testing program for members of the West Virginia Legislature. Read More

DATIA 2016 Annual Conference and Exposition
In April 2016, a three-day event will be held that is expected to be the single largest gathering of professionals involved in drug and alcohol testing ever assembled. Read More

President/CEO Nominated For Board of Directors
Please join us and congratulating our President/CEO Mr. James Greer on being nominated to the Board of Directors of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA). DATIA was founded in 1995 and has grown to represent over 1500 member companies, and expanded its scope. DATIA now represents the entire spectrum of drug and alcohol service providers including collection sites, laboratories, consortiums/TPAs, MROs, and testing equipment manufacturers.
Did You Know?

Making Your Workplace a Certified Drug Free Work Place Is Easier Than You Think. Workers that abuse drugs and alcohol on or off the job endanger not only themselves, but those around them. Make sure your employees know what your company’s drug and alcohol policy is. Accredited Drug Testing Inc. can help make your work place a drug free workplace. Read More

Our Team

Our Team Is Growing! Please join us in welcoming Andrew, Adrian, and Adam to our team!

Andrew, our new Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant, comes to us from Washington D.C. He graduated from Frostburg State University with a degree in legal studies. Andrew has spent the past few years working on the Hill for various Congressman and public affairs firms.

Adrian, our new Customer Service Specialist, hails from Miami, Florida. Adrian is an Air Force Veteran. Adrian will assist in responding to inquiries on drug and alcohol screenings.

Adam, our new Customer Service Specialist, is originally from Queens, New York. Adam will assist in scheduling drug and alcohol screenings, and with implementing Drug Free Workplace policies.
Accredited Drug Testing Inc. Monthly Newsletter: March 2016
Edited By:
Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accrediteddrugtesting.net
(800) 221-4291
www.accrediteddrugtesting.net

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Atlanta Smugglers Disguising Liquid Meth as Beer

March 7, 2016
According to Georgia authorities, drug smugglers are getting more creative to move illegal drugs from point A to point B The smugglers are Meth Drug Testinghiding large quantities of illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine, in the suspension of tour busses, and disguising it as beer.

The Georgia State Patrol nabbed the two buses packed with illegal drugs and cash to be smuggled back into Mexico. In one of the busses the drugs were packed into suspension bars behind the wheel drums. The other bus had a secret compartment under the center aisle. Officials say over one million dollars worth of methamphetamine and other drugs were found in the bus.  Atlanta authorities have been busy shutting down numerous pipelines that were bringing illegal drugs into this country.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth, crystal meth, crystal, and ice, is an incredibly addictive stimulant closely related to amphetamine. Meth alters the dopamine levels in the mind that gives users a euphoric rush feeling that builds dependency, and easily becomes addictive. Chronic use can lead to substantial brain damage. Meth can be detected in a 5-panel drug screening.

 Most the methamphetamines distributed in the United States are manufactured in labs in Mexico. These “superlabs” are usually linked to the Mexican drug cartels, that are responsible for heinous crimes across North America. Most ingredients made to use meth are inexpensive and can be bought over the counter, making its accessibility incredibly easy.  The levels of toxicity from the production of methamphetamines can remain in the environment for a long time, causing health issues for those around the area.  

Pharmacies and other retail stores are taking action to prevent abuse of the ingredients used to make methamphetamine, by limiting supplies of products known to make meth. Lawmakers are also taking action against distributors with increased prison sentencing ranging from 10 to 30, or even more years of incarceration.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the Atlanta area, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is available to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs. For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc
Health Screening USA Inc

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San Jose Drug and Alcohol Testing Negative for Greyhound Bus Crash

March 5, 2016
An investigation in the Greyhound rollover bush crash in San Jose that San Jose Drug and Alcohol Testingkilled two people revealed that no drugs or alcohol were found in his system and that mechanical failure did not cause the crash.

According to investigators there were no mechanical defects identified in the initial inspection of the bus. The 58-year-old driver tested negative for illicit drugs and alcohol in the preliminary toxicology test.

According to the Federal Transit Administration regulations, after a fatal accident, each surviving employee operating the mass transit vehicle at the time of the accident must be tested. Also, any other covered employee whose performance could have contributed to the accident must be tested.

The Department of Transportation regulated post accident toxicology test consists of a five panel urinalysis screening and a breath alcohol test. The Department of Transportation has very strict guidelines for employees in a safety sensitive position. A safety sensitive position is any operators of revenue service vehicles, CDL-holding operators of non revenue service vehicles, vehicle controllers, revenue service vehicle mechanics, and firearm-carrying security personnel.  

Drivers regulated under the Department of Transportation are also required to members of a consortium. The consortium pulls random names four times a quarter, and if selected the employee must immediately take a drug and alcohol screening.  

Although officials are still investigating the crash, they did report that the weather conditions were dark, with light to heavy rain, and11-23 mph winds. A passenger also told officials that the driver also reportedly stopped the bus because he was feeling tired. The bus rammed into an area that separated the high occupancy lane from the through lanes.

The bus then collided with impact barrels in stationed in front of the concrete barrier. According to the report the bus then rode up on the concrete barrier, rotated counterclockwise, and rolled. Officials are still investigating and analysing the busses cameras to find the cause of the crash.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the San Francisco area, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is available to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs. For more information contact:

Andrew Gormally
Marketing/Industry Relations Assistant
Andrew@accredtiteddrugtesting.com
http://accrediteddrugtesting.net/
(800) 221-4291
Accredited Drug Testing Inc
Health Screening USA Inc