Category: Drug Testing News

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Federal Investigators Bust Orlando Heroin Drug Ring

February  21, 2016
A joint two-year between federal, state, and local authorities have busted a drug trafficking ring along International Drive in Orlando. The suspects Heroin Drug Testingcalled themselves La Compania and sold heroin twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Authorities report that the suspects sold the opioid over a “heroin hotline” along the busy tourist district. The suspects reportedly made $3.5 million in one year of operation. Eleven suspects were arrested, and are all facing federal drug charges.

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.

Many young people who have previously used heroin, reported abusing prescription opioids before turning to the incredibly addicting drug. Others say they took up it because heroin is cheaper and more easily accessible than prescription drugs.

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.

Users would use the “heroin hotline” to buy the drugs, then turn around and sell or use them. Most of the customers were locals who sold the heroin for profit.  Authorities believe busting the suspects were a mid-level organisation, that take players out of an even larger drug trafficking operation.

Orange County officials have taken initiative after a reported 90 heroin-related deaths in the Orange and Osceola county area. In August, leaders in law enforcement, health care and education created a multi-agency Heroin Task Force to eradicate the heroin problem. In January and February alone Orange County Sheriff’s Department has responded to seventy-five heroin overdose related calls. Accredited Drug Testing can easily schedule a drug test that detects the use of heroin and similar opioids, potentially saving someone you know and love.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the Orlando area, 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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Ecstasy Drug Outbreak Plaguing the Greater Los Angeles Area

February 13, 2016
The Los Angeles County coroner has determined the recent death of an 18-year-old UCLA student, was caused by an overdose of Ecstasy Ecstasy Drug Testing(methylenedioxy-methamphetamine). Ecstasy, or Molly/MDMA, is a psychoactive synthetic drug that alters mood and perception.

Ecstasy gained popularity in night clubs and raves, but is now reaching a broader range of users because of it’s ease of accessibility and low cost. Last month authorities in the Riverside area intercepted over 1,000 Ecstasy pills hidden in a jigsaw puzzle box sent through the mail.

Ecstasy can affect the body’s ability to regulate spikes in the body temperature, that can occasionally result in liver, kidney, or heart failure, and possibly death. Many users will take a combination of Ecstasy with other drugs and or alcohol not knowing the possible dangers.

Concerned someone you know or love has been using Ecstasy? Accredited Drug Testing is the premier source with local locations across the entire state of California to answer all of your drug and alcohol testing questions and needs!

Molly, which refers to the alleged “pure form,” often comes in powder form sold in capsules. These capsules, are cheap and generally sold in bulk. It is not uncommon for dealers to have large quantities of Molly, for the sole purpose of distributing to the masses. A popular venue for the distribution are at concerts or multi-day music festivals, known as raves.

With the surge in popularity of Electronic Dance Music, or “EDM”, many venues are hosts to these multi-day festivals. Most venues are equipped with on hand medical staff to assist with emergencies, but many festival goers camp onsite, and are subject to being left unattended. Another major issue that arises are the sheer mass of crowds that attend these festivals. On site medical staff are only equipped to handle a few cases of medical emergencies, and with the ease of Ecstasy’s mass distribution some overdose cases may be overlooked, resulting in death.   

The Los Angeles County Fair Association is taking action against this outbreak, and stated that there will be no raves at the fairgrounds this year. Raves have stopped being held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Area in 2011 after several Ecstasy overdoes.

Although, there are fewer raves in the Los Angeles area, many events continue to arise outside the city that draw big crowds. This outbreak has sparked debate with authorities and law makers on how to reduce drug-related problems at raves.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the Los Angeles 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

Related Article: LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-hard-summer-rave-deaths-20150803-story.html

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Authorities In Dallas Texas Seize Hundreds of Pounds of Methamphetamine and Cocaine

March 4, 2016
Authorities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area have been busy recently, taking more than 50 people into custody on methamphetamine Drug testing centers Dallasdistribution conspiracy charges. Several members of the methamphetamine drug ring were sentenced in December after being arrested for their crimes that date back to 2013.

A surgence of methamphetamine plagued the Dallas-fort Worth area dating back to 2013. Methamphetamine has become a real problem in the area because of its proximity to Mexico. Federal authorities are still apprehending suspects to try and keep the illegal drugs off the streets.

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 easily 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.

Due to Dallas-Fort Worth’s proximity to Mexico, authorities have seen an increased amount of methamphetamine related issues.  

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth 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

Related Article: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/12/08/methamphetamine-distribution-conspirators-from-dfw-sentenced/

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DOT Drug Testing

FMCSA to lower random testing rate for controlled substances

FMCSA conducts a random survey to ensure compliance with the set testing rates, known as the Management Information System (MIS) or MIS survey.

The Trucker News Services

WASHINGTON — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Monday announced that it will lower the random testing rate for controlled substances from the current 50 percent to 25 percent for the upcoming calendar year, effective January 1, 2016.

FMCSA conducts a random survey to ensure compliance with the set testing rates, known as the Management Information System (MIS) or MIS survey.

According to federal regulations, when the data received in the MIS for two consecutive calendar years indicate that the positive rate for controlled substances is less than one percent, the FMCSA administrator has the discretion to lower the minimum annual testing rate.
While the MIS survey resulted in a positive rate of less than one percent for the 2011 and 2012 testing years, the acting administrator chose to maintain the 50 percent rate for another year. The 2013 testing year also showed a positive rate of less than one percent, so after three years, the acting administrator approved a lower testing rate. If at any time the positive rate for controlled substances exceeds one percent, the testing rate will revert back to 50 percent.

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Having Problems Quitting Smoking? Heavy Drinking May Be The Reason.

5/4/16

Quitting Smoking

A small study of Polish men revealed that people that are alcohol dependent process nicotine in their bodies quickly, making it harder for them to quit.

In 2011 and 2012, the researchers studied 22 white male smokers at an inpatient alcohol addiction treatment center in Poland. They analyzed participants’ urine samples to gauge nicotine levels and metabolism at one, four and seven weeks after detoxing from alcohol.

“We didn’t measure what was happening when people were drinking, but after they stopped, their elevated rate of nicotine metabolism slowly subsided,” said lead author Noah R. Gubner of the Center for tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco.

“When nicotine metabolism is higher, people tend to have a harder time quitting smoking,” Gubner stated. The speed of nicotine processing declined by about half over the seven-week period, even though the men did not change how many cigarettes they were smoking per day.

The results might be useful for helping recovering alcoholics quit smoking, they add. More research is needed to know if nicotine replacement therapy is more effective after people stop heavy drinking, however. The researchers write in Drug and Alcohol Dependence that heavy alcohol use may trigger the enzyme in the body primarily responsible for metabolizing nicotine. And faster nicotine processing could explain the poor rates of quitting smoking among people who are alcohol dependent.
 Quitting alcohol and quitting smoking are complicated undertakings, and nicotine and alcohol could have some synergistic effects on reward and pleasure, Gubner said. Also, heavy drinking can affect decision-making, including the decision to smoke less or not at all.
With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the entire state of United States, 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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Teen Dies of Overdose of New Type of Ecstasy Called MasterCard

5/10/16

Ecstasy Called MasterCardAn English teen died after taking a type of ecstasy, called “MasterCard,” according to police officials, who issued a dire warning Monday to anyone considering popping the deadly pills.

The young woman, whose name and age were not immediately released, was found on the brink of death at 5 a.m. Monday morning after partying at a Manchester nightclub called Don’t Let Daddy Know, Metro reported. She later died at a local hospital.

Police she ingested the pill, which is pink and has a circular shape similar to the credit card company’s logo.

“Sadly, we know it is very unlikely that the girl was the only person to have taken this drug last night,” Greater Manchester Police Detective Helen Bell said.

Ecstasy is a popular party drug that gives users a euphoric-like high that can distort time and cause heightened sexual experiences. People who use Ecstasy usually take it as a capsule or tablet, though some swallow it in liquid form or snort the powder.

Ecstasy can affect the body’s ability to regulate spikes in the body temperature, that can occasionally result in liver, kidney, or heart failure, and possibly death. Many users will take a combination of Ecstasy with other drugs and or alcohol not knowing the possible dangers.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have taken this form of ecstasy, known as ‘MasterCard’ to get checked out urgently,” Bell added. “Even if you took it some hours ago, this pill will still be in your system and could be seriously harming your health.”

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:

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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FedEX Driver Who Hit California Highway Patrol Officer Arrested for DUI

5/13/16

FedEX Driver Hit Officer Arrested for DUIA FedEx truck driver who struck and seriously injured a California Highway Patrol officer in Sacramento has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Gregory Anthony Ramirez, 41, of San Lorenzo was arrested and charged with driving under the influence at the time of the collision, the CHP said. Ramirez was booked into the Sacramento County Jail for felony driving under the influence, causing injury and possession of a controlled substance. His bail is set at $50,000.

The CHP said Officer Vincent Smith, an 18-year veteran of the agency, remained hospitalized. The officer was trying to move two vehicles off the eastbound lanes of the highway near 15th Street after they had collided just after 3 a.m., the CHP said.

The rear of the officer’s patrol vehicle was mangled by the impact from the FedEx truck, but the officer was on foot when he was hit, according to CHP. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the FedEx truck struck the officer directly or whether it struck only his patrol vehicle, causing it to hit the officer.

It’s the second major Sacramento crash involving a FedEx big rig in several months. In December, the driver of a FedEx tractor-trailer on southbound Interstate 5 lost control in rainy weather and the truck jumped the center divider, striking a northbound vehicle and killing its driver.

“FedEx Ground is committed to safety as our top priority and we hold anyone providing service on our behalf contractually responsible for operating safely and complying with the law. We are fully cooperating with investigating authorities and will take the appropriate action to address this matter,” FedEx spokesperson Davis Westrick said in a statement.

With drug and alcohol testing centers throughout the entire state of California, 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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Synthetic Marijuana Blamed for Man’s Death

May 16, 2016

Synthetic Marijuana

Some 8,000 Spice poisonings were reported in the US last year, which the Guardian calls “one of the drug’s most damaging years since its introduction to the United States almost a decade ago.” In one suspected case, a Mississippi man died after taking a single toke.

Indeed, potency is hard to predict and “the risk of overdosing is high,” reports the Las Cruces Sun-News, which explains that because Spice is typically sold (at gas stations, for instance) as “herbal incense” that is labeled as not for consumption, it’s out of the purview of the FDA and USDA.

Spice is a mix of herbs (shredded plant material) and manmade chemicals with mind-altering effects. It is often called “synthetic marijuana” or “fake weed” because some of the chemicals in it are similar to ones in marijuana; but its effects are sometimes very different from marijuana, and frequently much stronger.

Of the almost 8,000 poisonings from synthetic cannabinoids reported last year, New York claimed 1,729, while Mississippi reported 1,362 with 17 suspected deaths. Overdose symptoms include kidney failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, violent outbursts, and paranoia, and the Guardian notes that the screening limitations mean confirmed cases typically occur only when epidemiologists get involved.

Because the chemicals used in Spice have a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit, the Drug Enforcement Administration has made many of the active chemicals most frequently found in Spice illegal. However, the people who make these products try to avoid these laws by using different chemicals in their mixtures.

Spice is a new drug and research is only just beginning to measure how it affects the brain. What is known is that the chemicals found in Spice attach to the same nerve cell receptors as THC, the main mind-altering ingredient in marijuana. Some of the chemicals in Spice, however, attach to those receptors more strongly than THC, which could lead to a much stronger and more unpredictable effect.

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:

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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Marijuana and Heroin Equally as Dangerous

May 23 2016

Marijuana and Heroin Equally as Dangerous

The US Drug Enforcement Administration released a letter to lawmakers in April, stating they would review marijuana’s classification as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I drugs a considered those with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. They are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence.

Schedule I drugs include: heroin, LSD, Ecstasy, Methaqualone, peyote and marijuana. Marijuana was classified as Schedule I in the early 1970s, shortly after the passage of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA).

The CSA established the scheduling system, which places legal and illegal drugs within five categories based on their potential for abuse. Schedule V is the least dangerous, and Schedule I is the most dangerous.

Currently, marijuana falls under the most dangerous category, the same as heroin, one of the most addictive and dangerous illegal substances on the planet. While alcohol and tobacco, the two most used substances in the United States, are not even classified.

The five groups were determined during the approval process of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. The scheduling of most drugs was determined by Congress during the debate over the bill and was supposedly chosen according to the scientific and medical evidence at the time.

One of the primary reasons that the DEA has rejected rescheduling marijuana is because of a lack of evidence of its medicinal value.

Incidentally, however, one factor of why there isn’t enough evidence is that the DEA restricts how much marijuana can go toward research, because of its Schedule I status. Any prospective study must be approved by the HHS, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the DEA, a review process that has existed since only the late 1990s.

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:

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