April 29, 2017 – 10AM to 2PM

This year’s National Prescription takeback day will be held on April 29, 2017 between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential for abuse and medications.

The 2016 Prescription take back event was the most successful in recent years since its inception in 2010.  Last year illustrated Americans’ understanding of the value of this service.

In 2016, the DEA partnered with over 4,200 of its state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners collected 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines—about 447 tons—at almost 5,400 sites spread through all 50 states, beating its previous high of 390 tons in the spring of 2014 by 57 tons, or more than 114,000 pounds.

2016 Top 5 States Participating

1. Texas (almost 40 tons);
2. California (32 tons);
3. Wisconsin (31 tons);
4. Illinois (24 tons); and
5. Massachusetts (24 tons).

Recent studies have indicated that most prescription drug abusers report that they get their drugs from friends and family. With the success of National Prescription Takeback Day, it is promising that many Americans understand that cleaning out old prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, kitchen drawers, and bedside tables reduces accidents, thefts, and the misuse and abuse of these medicines, including the opioid painkillers.  This is a huge impact in as much that opioid painkillers accounted for 20,808 drug overdoses (78 a day in 2014 which is the most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The studies also show that 8 out of 10 new heroin users began by abusing prescription painkillers and moved to heroin when they could no longer obtain or afford those painkillers.

“These results show that more Americans than ever are taking the important step of cleaning out their medicine cabinets and making homes safe from potential prescription drug abuse or theft,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.  “Unwanted, expired or unused prescription medications are often an unintended catalyst for addiction.  Take-Back events like these raise awareness of the opioid epidemic and offer the public a safe and anonymous way to help prevent substance abuse.”

Where did the National Prescription Takeback Day Come From?

This event stemmed from the final rule called the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010 (“Disposal Act”)

What is the Drug Disposal Act?

The Drug Disposal Act amended the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to give the DEA authority to endorse new regulations, within the framework of the CSA.  This would allow an “ultimate user” to deliver unused pharmaceutical controlled substances to appropriate entities for disposal in a safe and effective manner consistent with effective controls against diversion. The goal of the Disposal Act is to encourage public and private entities to develop a variety of methods of collection and disposal in a secure, convenient, and responsible manner.

Who is an “ultimate user”?

The Controlled Substances Act defines an “ultimate user” as “a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member

Will there still be take-back events every six months?

Law enforcement may continue to conduct take-back events at any time. Any person or community group, registrant or non-registrant, may partner with law enforcement to conduct take-back events. The DEA encourages communities to partner with law enforcement to continue to conduct take-back events.

The DEA will continue to sponsor nationwide take-back events in the spring and fall. DEA will continue to encourage local law enforcement to implement additional take-back efforts conducted in accordance with the new regulations.

Can I dispose of illicit drugs through a collection receptacle, mail-back package, or take-back event?

How can I safely and securely dispose of my unwanted marijuana?

NO!  Individuals may not dispose/discard any illicit drugs (e.g., schedule I controlled substances such as marijuana, heroin, LSD) through any of the three disposal methods.

Furthermore, individuals may not dispose of any controlled substances that they do not legally possess. This includes schedules II-V controlled substances that are illegally obtained and possessed.

 Are there environmental impacts?

Disposed pharmaceuticals must be rendered non-retrievable in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, tribal, and local laws, including those relating to environmental protection. By expanding options on how ultimate users may dispose of their pharmaceutical controlled substances, fewer of these substances may end up in our nation’s water system.

For more information on the DEA’s Takeback Initiative or to find a collection site near you Click Here

 

 

The Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index™ (DTI) is known to be the Drug Testing Industry’s longest standing and most frequently utilized resource for drug trends in the American workforce.  Policymakers, media, employers, and the general public utilize this source to provide a basis for trends associated with drug testing data, facts and results on regular basis.

The DTI report examines testing results broken down by positivity, testing reason and specimen type.  Since 1988, the DTI has analyzed millions of drug test results and tracked the evolution of the drug testing industry.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) which is used in conjunction with Quest’s DTI’s is used to compare positivity trends and self-reported drug use throughout several periods of time.

The most recent DTI data and reports revealed a steady increase in overall positivity in the combined U.S. workforce that reached a 10-year high.  The NSDUH survey results also support the DTI findings.

NSDUH also reports a year-over-year increases of self-reported drug use since 2012.  Furthermore, the DTI brought attention to increases in marijuana positivity during the past five years.

NSDUH also revealed a higher self-reported use for marijuana with approximately 22 million Americans identifying as current users.

Dr. Sample re-emphasizes these conclusions from the NSDUH data:

• Employee drug use in society is rising among employers without a drug testing program.
• There is typically a 30 to 45 percent higher occurrence of self-reported drug use for respondents who work for an employer without a drug testing program.
• In relation to self-reporting, marijuana use, the most commonly detected drug by the DTI, has increased year-over-year since 2010.

Since the approval and implementation of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, drug use among American workers has declined 74 percent and workplace drug testing programs have proven to be a valuable tool to deter drug use and promote safe and healthy environments.

Data from the DTI and NSDUH showcase the importance of screening applicants and current employees for drug use and continuing to remain committed to drug-free workplaces.

 

For more information or to read the entire report, download the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index 2016 report or contact us at 800-221-4291 or at www.accrediteddrugtesting.net/contact

 

Major League Baseball’s drug policy was a joint venture between the MLB Players Association and the MLB Commissioners Office.

The goal of this program when it was adopted in the spring of 2006 was to deter and ultimately end the use of banned substances which included illegal drugs and anabolic steroids in baseball.

With the recent opioid epidemic surfacing in the US today it is apparent that drug use is prominent not only in society but also there is a huge opportunity to educate and inform everyone about the dangers of illegal drug use and performance enhancing drugs in sports.

Below are some alarming player suspension statistics for the last 10 years with regards to violations of MLB’s Drug Policy:

• 2016 – 13
• 2015 – 6
• 2014 – 1
• 2013 – 15
• 2012- 8
• 2011- 2
• 2010 – 2
• 2009 – 4
• 2008 – 3
• 2007 – 8
• 2006 – 3

During this 10-year period, there has been approximately 173 suspensions associated with MLB baseball players testing positive for a substance on MLB banned substance list.

With only 30 teams in MLB and 25 players on the active roster of each and the playoff season the roster expands to a 40-man extended roster, one could see the opportunity for individuals to test positive over the years.

Major League Baseball along with other professional sports leagues have been making a conscious effort to do their due diligence when it comes to illegal and performance enhancing drugs.

 

For more information contact us at 800-221-4291

 

Today, June 2, 2017, Knox Medical, a Florida based company will be opening its first and Orlando’s first medical marijuana dispensary to the public. The Orlando dispensary will be located at 1901 N. Orange Ave next to the white wolf café and set to open its doors on June 2, 2017 at 11:00am

The Florida Department of Health initially approved Knox Medical to sell non-euphoric medical cannabis products that are low in tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, at its locations.

Patients throughout the State of Florida who are registered with the state’s Compassionate Use Registry will be able to buy the different products offered by Knox Medical on Friday.  In Florida, there is currently no medical dispensaries that can legally sell marijuana to be smoked. Knox Medical along with other companies are authorized to sell low-THC oils and cartridges for vaporized-smoking devices.

Knox Medical plans to open more Florida locations in Jacksonville, Lake Worth, Tallahassee and St. Petersburg in 2017 and 2018, according to a spokesperson for Knox Medical.

Marijuana continues to be classified as a schedule I drug under federal law.  The Federal Government categorizes drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential.

Schedule I Drugs

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are:

• heroin,
• lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD),
• marijuana (cannabis),
• 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy),
• methaqualone, and
• peyote

Schedule II Drugs

Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are:

• Combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin),
• cocaine,
• methamphetamine,
• methadone,
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid),
• meperidine (Demerol),
• oxycodone (OxyContin),
• fentanyl,
• Dexedrine,
• Adderall, and
• Ritalin

For more information please call us at 800-221-4291 or contact us online.

References:  www.dea.gov

On June 10, 2016, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published its final rule for Drug & Alcohol testing for MOW workers which amends Part 219 regulatory requirements and the addition to random drug and alcohol testing of Maintenance of Way Workers, as defined by the definition of “Roadway Worker” in Part 214.7.

What is the FRA’s MOW Rule?

This rule expands the scope of FRA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations to cover employees (including contractors) that perform railroad maintenance-of-way activities as defined by section 412 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Under the new updated rule, the FRA will hold railroads, contractors, and subcontractors equally responsible for ensuring that their employees who perform MOW activities are in compliance with the requirements of Part 219.
Furthermore, the rule requires that railroads submit a revised and expanded drug & alcohol compliance plan to the FRA 30 days prior to June 12^th, 2017.  Plans are required to include written confirmation that the contractors working for railroad companies have their own plans in place, submitted and approved by the FRA.

For more information on the new MOW rule or to enroll in our DOT FRA Consortium, please contact us at 800-221-4291.

Virginia Beach has announced that they will be starting a drug treatment court, with the goal to rehabilitate non-violent drug offenders and addicts, in hopes of providing them with an alternative to prison.

The goal of the Virginia Beach Drug Treatment Court (VBCTC) is to be used as a way to provide drug offenders a way to develop better long term behavior and create a path in the Circuit Court of Virginia Beach for drug offenders to receive help and rehabilitation.

Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, mentioned that the VBTC is designed to be easy to get in, and hard to get out as there are several phases, each with incentives and sanctions that can be imposed on offenders when necessary.

Requirements

Not everyone will qualify for the program. In order to be accepted into the program, offenders must:

• Reside in Virginia Beach
• May not have a violent criminal history
• May not have any prior convictions for Possession with Intent to Distribute drugs
• and must have a previously suspended jail or prison sentence in excess of 18 months

Offenders must also report daily to their treatment provider, must maintain employment, complete community service, must complete homework, may not reside with other drug users, and will undergo frequent random drug testing. A positive drug screen or violation of a condition of the program can result in a variety of sanctions, including community service, jail time, or expulsion from the program.

“We hope to equip these offenders with the resources they need to kick their habits and change their entire lifestyle,” said Stole about the new program.

Accredited Drug Testing Inc. (ADT) is a nationwide company specializing in Drug, Alcohol, DNA testing. DOT Physicals and Background Checks. Tests are administered utilizing urine, oral/ saliva, hair follicle, blood and breath alcohol.

ADT provides full service Drug Free Work Place programs to small, medium and large companies, and drug testing services to individuals as needed. With over 20 years of experience, the staff at ADT is certified and trained in all Drug, Alcohol, and DNA testing procedures including DOT regulated businesses.

With Drug Testing Centers and affiliated collection facilities throughout the United States, Accredited Drug Testing Inc. is your one stop shopping source for pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing provided in a courteous, cost effective, and confidential manner.