Category: Drug Testing News

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As one of the Nation’s leading providers of drug testing, for employers and individuals, Accredited Drug Testing is asked on a daily basis, what type of drug test should I order?  Drug testing for many employers or individual may vary and can include a 5 panel, 5 panel plus expanded opiates, 10 panel, 12 panel, 14 panel and customized tests.  Non DOT regulated employers, have the option of which type of test to use and what method such as urine or hair.

What is the New Federal 5 Panel Drug Test?

As you may be aware, the Department of Transportation(DOT) amended its rule on January 1, 2018 to now include expanded opioids to be tested under 5 panel DOT drug test.  The new DOT Panel consists of:

  • Marijuana metabolites
  • Cocaine metabolites
  • Phencyclidine
  • Opioids** – (codeine, heroin, morphine)
  • Amphetamines -amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA & MDA

** The new DOT Drug Panel also now includes hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone. Common names for these drugs include OxyContin®, Percodan®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®, Dilaudid®, and Exalgo®.

What Drugs Are Tested In A 5 Panel?

Prior to this change, the most common drug panel offered was a 5 panel which screened for the following drugs:

  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Marijuana
  • Opiates (Codeine, Morphine, Heroin)
  • PCP

With the current state of the opioid epidemic here in the United States many employers are amending their drug testing policies to mirror the current DOT drug panel.

These prescription drugs are very common, dangerous and can lead to many safety concerns for your workplace. Have you updated your policy to include these new relevant drugs of abuse?

If opioids have not impacted your workplace as of yet,it’s only a matter of time. Whether you have any employees who must adhere to the DOT’s updated regulations or you are not regulated by DOT, this drug panel update is a sign that it’s time for all employers to update their policies and testing panels to include the most relevant drugs impacting the U.S. today.

What is in a 10 Panel Drug Test?

Opioid Epidemic

A 10-panel drug test is the second most common configuration of a general type of drug testing panel.  Panel drug tests are designed to screen for numerous types of drugs from only one sample, which makes them very efficient, cost effective and ensures that employers don’t have to lose too much time from workers repeatedly giving multiple samples, and the employees themselves do not experience as much of an imposition on their time.

The industry standard 10 panel drug test, includes:

  • AMP-Amphetamines (including MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy);
  • COC-Cocaine:
  • OPI-Opiates (including codeine, morphine and heroin);
  • PCP-Phencyclidine;
  • THC-Marijuana;
  • BZO-Benzodiazepines
  • BAR-Barbiturates;
  • MTD-Methadone;
  • PPX-Propoxyphene; and
  • Meth – Methaqualone.

Accredited Drug Testing offers a 10-panel drug test along with customized panels depending on the professional requirements a company may have.

We offer drug free workplace policy development, amendments to your current policy, customized drug test panels, occupational health testing, Full TPA services and background checks.Schedule Drug Tests OnlineFor more information on your drug free workplace program please call us today at (800)-221-4291

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What to expect when expecting-the effects of alcohol and drug abuse?

Using drugs or drinking alcohol any time in life but especially while pregnant can create several health issues for both the mother and unborn child.

Some examples are an increased risk of stillbirth and miscarriage which are just two of the harsher examples of the potential complications faced by pregnant women that may be already struggling with substance abuse.

Regardless of the negative consequences and all the research to substantiate theses harsh facts, many continue to use these harmful substances regardless. Here are some astonishing numbers to illustrate the ongoing issue:

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) from 2012-2013, approximately 10% of pregnant women in the U.S. reported drinking alcohol and, though much of it is done to manage other health conditions, it’s increasingly more common for women to continue using medications while carrying a child.

What are Side Effects of Taking Drugs While Pregnant

Alcohol

No matter how small the amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can cause a negative impact on the mother and unborn child.  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism any amount of drinking is considered at risk alcohol use throughout pregnancy.

The consumption of alcohol may:

  • Increase your risk of miscarriage and
  • may result in several development issues in your child like fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or
  • Alcohol related birth defects

It is important that society understands that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, however, many pregnant women continue to consume at least some amount alcohol with the belief that a small number of drinks will be safe. This is not the case, in fact, half a million children are exposed to alcohol in utero each year.1

Cigarettes

Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that can damage the health of the smoker and damage the brain of a developing fetus.  The chemicals can limit the amount of oxygen being received by the fetus and the impact of nicotine on a developing baby is greater than the impact on the mother. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, nicotine concentration is up to 15% higher in the baby’s blood than the mother’s.5

Exposing your unborn child to the tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke can also result in many health issues after birth, including:

  • respiratory issues,
  • cerebral palsy,
  • problems with eyesight and
  • possible issues with hearing.

Cocaine

The use of cocaine at any time is harmful but imagine the impact you are having on your unborn child.  Women that use or abuse cocaine oftentimes have poor nutrition and inadequate prenatal care. Oftentimes, cocaine users tend to use the drug in combination with other substances such as alcohol, which makes it more difficult to determine precisely which substance is responsible for the harmful effects on the fetus.5

Heroin

Using heroin while pregnant, will increase the chance of bleeding, especially during your third trimester, as well as preeclampsia (severe high blood pressure).1 This will also place your unborn child at risk for premature birth, dangerously low birth weight, and possibly death. Illicit drug use of any kind, specially heroin will also significantly increase your baby’s risk of developing neonatal abstinence syndrome shortly after birth as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), commonly referred to as crib death.

Marijuana

Marijuana can be harmful and should be avoided when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding.1,5 Although there is limited data on how marijuana can affect a developing fetus, several studies indicate that using marijuana may be associated with impaired fetal development, rare forms of cancer, premature birth, and low body weight at birth.

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Research has shown that  fetal MDMA exposure during the first trimester may lead to long-term memory problems and impaired learning along with movement and coordination problems in the child.5 There have also been cases where babies exposed to MDMA while in utero developed cardiovascular anomalies and musculoskeletal problems.

Methamphetamines (Meth)

If a fetus is exposed to meth, this can results in long term health issues which may include, increased depression, anxiety, and social isolation have been reported in children exposed to meth in the womb.5 Some studies also suggest that meth use during pregnancy may be associated with congenital abnormalities, such as gastroschisis—a structural defect that can result in a baby being born with their intestines outside of the abdominal wall.

Painkillers

Expectant mothers should be cautious when taking these medication during pregnancy, even if these medications were prescribed by your physician. Opioids are commonly  refereed to as painkillers can be harmful to your developing fetus. A fetus exposed to Opioid painkillers may be linked to excessive fluid in your baby’s brain, abdominal wall defects, glaucoma, and congenital heart defects.

Since many painkillers are chemically similar to heroin, the mother and child can experience many of the same risks. Children may be born with NAS, experiencing painful withdrawal symptoms after birth

For more information call us today at (800)-224-4291 or to click the blue button below schedule a Drug or Alcohol Test Today!

Schedule Drug Tests Online

References:

  1. Forray, A. (2016). Substance use during pregnancy. F1000Research, 5(F1000 Faculty Rev), 887.
  2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). Results from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Medications and Pregnancy: Treating for Two.
  4. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2013). Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs, and Pregnancy.
  5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). Substance Use in Women.
  6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide.
  7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016). DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction.
  8. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment.

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What happens if my drug test result is a negative dilute?

When your drug test result comes back as negative dilute, your employer may ask you to go in for another drug in accordance with their Drug Free Workplace Policy.   This will certainly be inconvenient for you.

How do I avoid a Negative Dilute Drug Test Result?

Essentially, when your urine specimen result for a drug test comes back as dilute, you have consumed too much water in advance of the test.  Individuals should be cautious not to over consume fluids prior to a drug test.  In general, an extra glass of water is about all you need.  Drinking too much fluids will more than likely end up with a dilute specimen result.

A positive dilute drug test result is always classified as a positive result.   However, when an individual has a negative dilute drug test result, many employers will require you to go back for another drug test typically within 24 hours of receiving the negative dilute result.

How is Dilution Caused?

Dilution is caused by adding fluid to the sample also known as adulteration or by drinking large amounts of fluids which may dilute the specimen.  Adding fluids to your specimen to influence the results of the test and generally is an indicator that an individual is trying to cheat the drug test.

What makes a specimen dilute?

A dilute specimen is defined as a urine specimen that has a creatine level of greater than 5 mg/dl or less than 20 g/dl and a specific gravity is less than 1.0010 (or greater than 1.0200).

These 2 integrity variable tests are routinely performed on every urine sample that is analyzed at one of our SAMHSA Certified Labs. If a specimen meets the above 2 criteria, the lab will report the result as a “Dilute specimen”. When a urine sample is reported as “Dilute” it is possible that drugs in their system may not be detected.

Don’t be alarmed if your employer informs you that your drug test result is a negative dilute result.  A negative dilute result should never be a reason for you to be terminated or not get the job.  If this does happen, call an attorney.  Individuals should never be fired because they consume a lot of water, but you do need to be able to produce normal human urine with the appropriate creatinine and specific gravity levels.  Failure to provide a valid sample many times may cause suspicion.

If you attempt to adulterate your specimen by adding fluids to your urine specimen, this should never be done and could be grounds for termination of employment or perhaps not getting the job.

In most cases, it is best if you go for the drug test first thing in the morning.  Drinking some coffee and a glass of water should suffice and try and remember to not overconsume water or other fluids.

How Can I Avoid A Dilute Specimen Result?

Follow these simple guidelines as a participant providing a urine sample to avoid a dilute urine specimen result.

  • Avoid all diuretics—including caffeine—the day of the drug test until AFTER the collection is done.
  • Go to the collection site while the first morning urine is still in your bladder to use this as the specimen.
  • If this is NOT possible than you should empty your bladder approximately 2 hours prior to your planned arrival at the collection site.
  • During that time, you should NOT consume more than 24 oz. of fluid and the fluid you do consume should be a substantial fluid—milk, smoothie, tomato juice—and/or you eat a protein high meal or snack—egg, cheese, meat.

By following these guidelines, you will help to avoid dilute and abnormal urine and ensure that the result of your test provides a valid indicator that you are drug free.

 

Dilute Specimen FAQ:

May a DOT regulated employer have a policy of declining to hire applicants who have a negative dilute test result on a pre-employment drug test?

ANSWER:

• The Department’s rules do not require an employer to hire anyone. That decision is an employer’s.

• While §40.197(b) authorizes an employer to obtain one additional test following a negative dilute result (in pre-employment or other testing situations), a negative dilute test result is a valid negative test for DOT’s purposes.

• Because a negative dilute test result is a negative test for DOT program purposes, the employer is authorized to have the applicant begin performing safety-sensitive functions.

• If the employer declines to hire the applicant in this situation, the employer’s decision is based solely on its own policy. The employer cannot claim that its action is required or authorized by DOT rules.

Schedule Drug Tests Online

For more information call us today at 800-221-4291

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A Message From Our President

With the fall leaves changing and colder weather arriving, Accredited Drug Testing and our affiliated companies, Health Screenings USA, American Drug Testing and our newest acquisition Coastal Drug Testing, are appreciative for the tremendous growth we have experienced due to the hard work and dedication of our staff, but most importantly our clients and customers who have chosen us to serve their drug and alcohol testing needs.
As 2018 comes to a close, we are excited about our continued expansion and additional services coming in the new year including, clinical testing, live classroom training, webinars and continuing to meet the needs of small, medium and large employers Nationwide.
In addition, Accredited Drug Testing is pleased to support the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA), a new and very much needed Association representing the Nation’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry. I am honored to have been appointed Chairman of the Association’s Governmental Affairs Committee and serve as an industry advisor to the Board of Directors. I encourage all industry partners to join this new and exciting Association.
There is a lot happening in the Nation’s drug testing industry including the opioid epidemic, new DOT testing rates, employer rights, marijuana related legislation and other issues that can affect business owners and testing providers throughout the Nation. Accredited Drug Testing, as always will keep our clients apprised of these important issues.

 

Happy Fall,

 

 

President/CEO

Click here to view our fall Newsletter in its entirety.

 

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Which One is Better For You?

Urine Drug Testing

There are many pros and cons of urine drug testing, however urine drug tests are by far the most common test that dates back to 1966 invented by Germen biochemist Manfred Donike. Urine drug tests are one of the least inexpensive drug tests and you are able to get your results back quickly usually between 3-5 business days. This test is noninvasive and can detect for a variety of different substances.

Some of the most common use of a urine drug test today is for pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, post accident and many more. As mentioned, different substances can be detected in urine and at different times. Here is a guide of some of the substances and detection times urine can discover: (This is a guide only)

  • Alcohol: 3-5 days in urine
  • Amphetamines: 1-3 days in urine
  • Barbiturates: 2-4 days in urine
  • Benzodiazepines: 3-6 weeks in urine
  • Cannabis: 7-30 days in urine
  • Cocaine: 3-4 days in urine
  • Codeine: 1 day in urine
  • Heroin: 3-4 days in urine
  • LSD: 1-3 days in urine
  • MDMA (ecstasy): 3-4 days in urine
  • Methamphetamine (crystal meth): 3-6 days in urine
  • Methadone: 3-4 days in urine
  • Morphine: 2-3 days in urine

Despite the pros of urine tests there are some cons. To begin with, urine tests can be easier to alter the results and, in some ways, cheat the test. For example, certain substances can only be detected between 1-5 days, it is feasible to be able to “flush” out the substance(s) from your system.

However, an over consumption of water to flush out the toxins in your body can cause a “Diluted” result on your test that will show up. Along with other ways individuals might try to skew urine test results, some may administer monitored urine tests and randomized tests to obtain the most effective results.

Hair Follicle Test

A hair follicle test or more commonly known as a “Hair drug test” also has some pros and cons. One of the primary advantages of a hair test is that substance(s) can be detected on a larger time scale going back as far as 90 days. This is because the chemical in the drugs gets into the blood stream becoming part of the hair cells as your hair grows. Another advantage of a hair test is that it illuminates essentially all possibilities to cheat. Hair tests are slightly more costly than urine tests, however the results can’t be altered or can’t be “flushed” out of your system. Many people prefer a hair test because the accuracy compared to a urine test is substantially higher.

Although, hair tests have many pros there are a few disadvantages. Hair tests can take up to 7-10 business days to get the results back. Also, in order to do a hair test you must have at least 1.5-inch of hair to be cut off in person and sent to the lab. Due to the rate of hair growth, drugs won’t be able to be detected until 5-7 days after use. The hair follicle is taken from the root of the scalp and a 1.5-inch follicle can date back up to 3 months. Over all a hair test can offer a cheat-proof alternative to a urine test to get the most effective results.

Which test is better for you?

Always keep in mind that all non-negative tests that are sent to the lab go under further review and confirmation tests are done before given a confirmed result. The end result is given by the MRO (Medical Review Officer) who evaluates drug test results and confirms what the final result is. If you are looking for a faster result and want to detect drugs in a short time period, a urine test might be better for you. However, always keep in mind of all the possibilities someone can alter the results in a urine test. If you are looking for more accurate results that can detect drugs dating back months at a time and are able to provide a hair sample of 1.5-inch, a hair follicle test is better for you.

If you need a urine test or hair follicle test for any reason occupation, personal, medical or legal, we can provide that for you nationwide! If you want more information or would like to schedule a Urine test click here or if you would like more information or would like to schedule on a Hair Drug Test click here.

For more information on drug tests, results or would like to order a test over the phone give me a call today at (800) 221-4291 or email us at  info@accrediteddrugtesting.net.

“Need a test, choose the best”

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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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14 Year-old Left Blinded After E-Cigarette Explodes

April 23, 2016

14 Year-old Blinded E-Cigarette Explodes

A 14-year-old has been blinded in one eye and potentially faces permanent damage to his hands after allegedly testing an e-cigarette at a mall kiosk in Brooklyn, New York. The latest in a string of similar incidents, the teenager’s injury may raise questions over the safety of the devices as well as how much they are marketed to youth.

Adolescents who try e-cigarettes may be more than twice as likely to move on to smoking conventional cigarettes as those who have never tried the devices, previous research has found. About 2 million middle and high-school students tried e-cigarettes in 2014, triple the number of teen users in 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year.

Many U.S. states already ban sales of e-cigarettes to minors, but vendors need clear guidelines to follow for preventing underage purchases to make these policies more effective, said Adam Leventhal, director of the University of Southern California Health, Emotion and Addiction Laboratory in Los Angeles.

“In addition to the health hazards of vaping nicotine, other forms of nicotine ingestion like swallowing can be deadly,” Leventhal said. “The high concentration of nicotine in some e-liquids if swallowed or absorbed into the body through other means is toxic, especially for infants and toddlers, who may be the siblings of older children who might be purchasing e-liquids and not aware of such hazards.”

Leor Domatov said he was trying out an e-cigarette at the Plaza Vapes kiosk in Brooklyn’s Kings Plaza Mall when it exploded in his hands and face. Domatov, who is only 14, wouldn’t have legally been able to buy one of the products because state and local law forbids the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Domatov’s father hired Marc Freund, a partner at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus and Moverman, to reportedly sue the kiosk owner and mall.

Employees at the kiosk reportedly distribute promotional cards advertising the company’s Instagram account and packaging that resemble popular breakfast cereals. The employee who allowed Domatov to test the e-cigarette had only been on her second day at the job.

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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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 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