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This week in the news, a U.S. Navy veteran went into a routine appointment at his local VA Clinic in Panama City Beach, Florida to get a cholesterol test done when he found something attached to his test results, the results of a drug screening. One he did not ask for.

His first reaction was that it was “kind of weird” the Panama City Herald reports.

Robert Williams, the veteran in question, said this was an infringement of his fourth amendment rights which include “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

A representative from Senator Marco Rubio’s office said the tests are not a part of the VA’s policy and aren’t to be given without the consent of the patients. Williams tested negative for all the drugs he was screened for, but he wasn’t concerned about the results- he is adamantly opposed to drugs- but that wasn’t the issue.

He claims this was a privacy infringement, but a representative of the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) defends the drug screening that took place. “This test does not require consent from the veteran, but the veteran is free to do the test or not. … If there is proof a veteran isn’t taking his/her controlled substances responsibly, or doesn’t allow the provider to monitor the effectiveness of the medication(s) prescribed, the provider may stop the veteran’s prescription” representative Jerron Barnett wrote in a prepared statement to the press.

They have a right to do a urinalysis; it’s the drug test that’s a search of your person,” he said. “Just because they have a sample or tissue of mine does not mean they have a right to test it.” He also wonders how many more veterans will be subject to this testing without their knowledge and for those that do test positive, how it will affect their VA benefits such as health care, housing-related assistance and disability.

“The real question is who authorized this?” he said. “Whose idea was it? And who told (my doctor) his patients had to be drug-screened?” He said the VA’s inconsistent responses are in line with many issues plaguing the agency.

“That’s the thing about VA; they have deniability,” Williams said. “Everything about their process is built with an opaque protection for the people so you’ll never get to the bottom of this, whose decision this is.”

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Accredited Drug Testing, Inc has been in business for over 4 years, and in that time we have grown exponentially. We are the nation’s leading provider of drug and alcohol testing. Our President and CEO James Greer has been an expert in the drug testing community for over 20 years. He is a successful entrepreneur and has grown the company to be an active and honored part of the drug testing industry. In drug testing, there is a lot of confusion especially when it comes to the rules and regulations associated with the industry and the ever changing laws on things like medical marijuana. And this is how we came up with the idea for American Drug Talk.

American Drug Talk is a show designed to talk about the issues affecting the nation’s drug and alcohol testing industry. Upcoming episodes will address issues such as medical marijuana in the workplace, U.S. Department of Transportation Drug and Alcohol Testing regulations (commonly referred to as Part 40), regulations on background checks. The show will also address issues facing today’s society in regards to the opioid epidemic and answer the viewers’ questions on any and all drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures.

There will also be training in several episodes to teach the skills needed to succeed in successful drug testing administration. All of the episodes will also include a guest that is an expert on the topic at hand. Occasionally there will be a guest on hand to speak about opinions they have on drug testing and the industry.

But most importantly, American Drug Talk is a conversation about drug use and testing throughout the nation. James Greer is our host and leader into demystifying the world and regulations of the testing industry. This show is meant to entertain and educate viewers each week with thought provoking discussions and lessons. We hope you tune into each week as we discuss America’s drug and alcohol testing industry.

 

American Drug Talk Ep. 1: Welcome

Watch Episode 1 Above!

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The National Association of Professional Background Checks (NAPBS) is hosting their 2017 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL from September 17-19.

As a professional background check provider, Accredited Drug Testing will be attending the NAPBS annual conference and showcasing our background check solutions and answering any questions attendees may have about the background check industry.

Please stop by booth #337 and Say Hello!

The conference offers a diverse range of educational topics ranging from strategic business sessions, futuristic technology, legal issues, nuts and bolts “how-to” programs, international screening techniques, compliance guidelines, employment discrimination and what’s on the horizon for consumer reporting agencies, to name just a few. Every attendee will be able to take away valuable information and resources to benefit their specific business goals.

The Exhibit Hall will be packed with industry partners showcasing their products and services. This is your best opportunity to learn about the latest industry products to enhance your business. Also, interspersed throughout the educational sessions will be Vendor Demonstrations during which companies that supply products or services to the background screening industry can showcase their products or services.

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64,000 Americans died from overdoses last year — 175 every day, seven every hour.

These are real-life statistics of the effects the opioid epidemic has had on the American population.

On Thursday, October 26th, President trump declared the opioid crisis as a public health emergency.

This Opioid Crisis is the worst drug crisis in American history.

President Trump

Opioid addiction does not discriminate. It does not target one age, one race, one income level. Opioid addiction is everywhere.

Eric Bolling, a former reporter for FOX news has felt the effects of this epidemic first hand.

Bolling’s only child, 19-year-old Eric Chase was found dead September 9th, 2017, the same day his father left his job at Fox News.

After undergoing an autopsy, the report concluded the 19-year-old contained numerous illegal substances in his system, including the deadly drug fentanyl.

On September 11, 2017, the post-mortem toxicology report revealed Eric Chase had cocaine, marijuana, Xanax, and the opioid drugs, fentanyl and cyclopropyl fentanyl, in his system. 

Many friends expressed their condolences to Eric Bolling and his family.

On October 26th, 2017 Eric Bolling tweeted “Adrienne and I thank you for your continued prayers and support. We must fight against this national epidemic, too many innocent victims.”

According to time, since 2000 the number of opioid-related deaths has risen more than 137 percent.

opioid crisis
Map shows opioid-related deaths per 100,000 residents in 2015; 2c x 4 inches; 96.3 mm x 101 mm;

“This epidemic is a national health emergency,” Trump said during an address at the White House. “Nobody has seen anything like what is going on now. As Americans, we cannot allow this to continue. It is time to liberate our communities from this scourge of drug addiction.”

“We can be the generation that ends the opioid epidemic. We can do it.” These encouraging words stated by President Donald Trump challenges Americans to do all that they can to hinder this heartbreaking disease.

accredited drug testing

Visit Accredited Drug Testing to stay up to date on this topic, and other topics relating to the Drug and Alcohol Industry.

 

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Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a new illness only recently acknowledged by the medical community has been seen more commonly since new states have been legalizing medical and recreational marijuana.

medical marijuana

It affects a small population — mostly, a subset of marijuana users who smoke multiple times a day for months, years or even decades.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is characterized by cyclic episodes of nausea and vomiting and frequent hot bathing. Image result for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

Chalfonte LeNee Queen suffered periodic episodes of violent retching and abdominal pain that would knock her off her feet for days, sometimes leaving her writhing on the floor in pain.

“I’ve screamed out for death,” says Queen, 48, who lives in San Diego. “I’ve cried out for my mom, who’s been dead for 20 years, mentally not realizing she can’t come to me.”

Diagnosing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome can be frustrating and expensive.

There is no blood test to link the stomach ailment with marijuana use, so physicians often order pricey CT scans and lab tests to rule out other medical problems.

One way doctors have been diagnosing the illness is when a patient says that hot baths subside the symptoms. For whatever reason, unknown, patients who develop this disease find a significant relief in hot showers and baths. Toxicologists say the heat may distract the brain from pain receptors in the abdomen but, like  Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome itself, is still very misunderstood.

cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome

The exact cause and onset of  Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome remain much of a mystery today in the medical field. The first diagnosis of this illness can be dated back to 2004 by an Australian doctor.  Since  Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a newly recognized illness, only been seen more commonly throughout the US due to the recent passings of Marijuana laws, it is often mistaken for something else.

Toxicologists say the chemical compounds in marijuana may throw off the normal function of the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which help regulate the nervous system. Some people may be genetically predisposed to the syndrome, or marijuana’s potency or chemical makeup may have changed over time, says Dr. Craig Smollin, medical director of the San Francisco division of the California Poison Control System and an ER doctor at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

endocannabinoid system

Since most people, especially cancer patients are told that marijuana is known to aid in nausea and vomiting, it seems hard for a patient to believe that the link to their aggressive and chronic vomiting spells is due to marijuana.  19-year-old student Cameron Nicole Beard, of East Moline, Ill., said she struggled to believe her doctors about the link between pot and severe vomiting.

“Who wants to be told you can’t smoke marijuana when you think marijuana can help?” says Beard, while recovering from a marijuana-related vomiting episode at a University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, last month. She said she had lost 20 pounds in 10 days.

There is still no direct cure for Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, although doctors are getting better at treating the symptoms. They have been using old anti-psychotic medications and cream for muscle aches.

For questions on detecting marijuana use, please visit Accredited Drug Testing, or call 1-800-221-4291.

 

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IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Effective January 1, 2018, The Department of Transportation is amending its drug-testing program regulation to add hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone to its drug-testing panel. The revision of the drug-testing panel harmonizes DOT regulations.
See below for more information.

2017, What A Year! – Our Thanks!
 
As 2017 comes to a close, Accredited Drug Testing Inc and our affiliated companies wish to thank our clients, industry partners, and employees for making this year a tremendous success. With the expansion of our corporate offices, additional staff, new services, and more testing centers throughout the nation, Accredited Drug Testing is ready to serve all our clients drug, alcohol, and DNA testing needs in 2018!   
 

Service Spotlight

Occupational Health Testing

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Accredited Drug Testing, Inc. offers Occupational Health Testing.  Services range from  Audio-grams, Blood Collections, Body Metric Screenings, EKG, Physicals (DOT & NON-DOT), Respirator Certification and much more.
 
For more information regarding Occupational Health Testing Services 
please call 800-221-4291.
 

Industry News

Stay up-to-date with all industry news including new drug laws, policy changes, and drug epidemics by visiting our blog.

James A. Greer, President and CEO of Accredited Drug Testing and Vice President John Burgos attended The IFDAT conference this year to stay up to date with leading industry news. Allowing Accredited Drug Testing to better serve you! 
 
What is IFDAT?
 
The International Forum for Drugs and Alcohol Testing (IFDAT) is an annual event where drug testing and related industry professionals come together. Experts from all over the world unite to share their knowledge with the rest of the international community.

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Attorney General Sessions & DEA Patterson Fight Against Opioid Crisis   
Attorney General Sessions and Acting DEA Administrator Patterson announce new efforts being made by the United States Government to follow through with the fight against the deadly Opioid Crisis in America.
On Wednesday, November 29th, 2017,  at a press release held in Washington.
 
President Donald Trump Declares Opioid Crisis A Public Health Emergency

64,000 Americans died from overdoses last year — 175 every day, seven every hour.
These are real-life statistics of the effects the opioid epidemic has had on the American population.
On Thursday, October 26th, President Trump declared the opioid crisis as a public health emergency.

DOT Corner

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DOT Amends Drug-Testing Regulations
 
On November 13th, 2017 The United States Department Of Transportation, DOT, published its final rule regarding DOT drug and alcohol policy.
The DOT compliant drug screening will expand its current 5-panel urine test, to include expanded testing on Opiates, including Hydromorphone, Oxymorphone, and Oxycodone.
Effective January 1st, 2018 a DOT urine drug analysis will test for
 
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Marijuana
MDA
PCP
Opiates
Hydromorphone
Oxymorphone
Oxycodone
 
The opiates category of a 5-panel drug screen tests for the illicit drug heroin, and the licit drugs codeine and morphine.
DOT Part 40 Amendment – Final Rule
On November 13th, 2017 The United States Department Of Transportation, DOT, published its final rule regarding DOT drug and alcohol policy.
The DOT compliant drug screening will expand its current 5-panel urine test, to include expanded testing on Opiates
Preparing For Impacts of the DOT Part 40 Final Rule
On January 1st, 2018, the revised CFR 49 Part 40 Final rule, published November 13th, 2017, will be put into effect. This rule refers to the Drug and Alcohol testing procedures and programs to all safety-sensitive employees regulated by the U.S Department Of 
Transportation (DOT). 
Accredited Drug Testing values our clients and industry partners.   
Thank you for choosing Accredited Drug Testing for all your drug testing needs! 
 
ADT STATISTICS
November

3712 Tests

Scheduled/Performed

Proud To Serve Over
857 Employers Nationwide

38 New Clients 

Welcome!

 

The process to schedule a drug, alcohol, or any service at any testing center nationwide is fast and easy. There are three different methods which you may utilize depending on the method you prefer.

Method 1: Call Our National Scheduling Office at 800-221-4291

Method 2: Email orders@accrediteddrugtesting.net

Method 3: Receive Login to Scheduling System (Brief Training Required)

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What is Ketamine

Ketamine is categorized as a dissociative anesthetic. A dissociative anesthetic is a drug that distorts perception of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment or dissociation from the environment and self. On the streets, the drug is sold as either a colorless, odorless liquid or as a white or off-white powder.

History Of Ketamine

Image result for ketamine

Ketamine was developed in the 1960s to replace phencyclidine (PCP) as an anesthetic agent.  Most of the time, it is used in veterinary medicine as an animal tranquilizer, although also may be used in human medicine as an anesthetic. Used improperly, on the streets, the drug is often injected, consumed in drinks, snorted, or added to joints or cigarettes. Ketamine was placed on the list of controlled substances in the US in 1999.

Teens are Primary Users

ketamine

One of the most alarming facts about Ketamine is the primary age group of abusers is between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, individuals aged 12 to 25 accounted for 74 percent of the Ketamine emergency department mentions in the United States in 2000. Use among high school students is a growing concern. Nearly 3 percent of high school seniors in the United States used the drug at least once in the past year.

A Club Drug

In addition to Rohypnol and GHB, Ketamine is also considered a “club drug”, or “date rape drug” and may be used in drug-facilitated sexual assault situations.
Adults sometimes place the drug in the drink of an unsuspecting user and await the effects of the drug to take place. Once the individual is under the influence, there are risks of amnesia and blackout.

Effects Of Ketamine

Ketamine is a very dangerous drug and even using it a single time can have serious repercussions including the potential for long-term side-effects, coma or death. According to the National Institute on DruImage result for ketamine drug statsg Abuse, “Ketamine distorts perceptions of sight and sound and produces feelings of detachment from the environment and self.” At low doses, users can experience impaired attention, learning ability and memory. In higher doses, it can cause dreamlike states, hallucinations, delirium, unconsciousness, and flashbacks-reoccurrences of a certain aspect of the drug experience at any time. Other associated side effects are depression, delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, and potentially fatal respiratory problems.

Street Names

The most popular name used for ketamine in the streets is “Special K”. There are also many other common street names that refer to this drug.

  • K
  • Cat Valium
  • Super C
  • Green

Ketamine street names that are brand or type-specific include:

  • Ketaset
  • Ketalar
  • Ketalar SV
  • Ketanest
  • Ketanest S

Drug Testing For Ketamine

As with testing for any other drug, there are specific procedures for Ketamine drug testing. Ketamine is not included in a 5-panel drug screen. The only way Ketamine use can be detected is by studying the levels of “Norketamine” in the blood and urine. The parent drug, Norketamine is detectable in the blood and urine of users for up to 7-14 days depending on dosage and frequency of use. In some cases involving regular users, Ketamine can be detected in a drug screen beyond the typical 7-14 day period.

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Industry News

ADT Statistics

(August)

2,649 Tests

Schedule/Performed

Proud to Serve Over

763 Employers

Nationwide

41 New Clients

Welcome!

Just a Reminder: 

The 3rd Quarter DOT Random Testing Program has been selected. Please update your covered employees list with any changes prior to the next selection. 

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New Episodes Now Available!

In this episode of American Drug Talk, we speak to Joe Reilly, President of Joe Reilly & Associates about federal and state drug testing laws, challenging a drug test result, and other important information. 

Orlando-Medical-Marijuana-Dispensary

Orlando's First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens

On June 2nd, 2017, Knox Medical, a Florida based company opened its first, and Orlando’s as well, medical marijuana dispensary to the public. The Orlando dispensary will be located…

Steps to Schedule a Test

The process to schedule a drug, alcohol, or any service at any testing center nationwide is fast and easy. There are three different methods which you may utilize depending on the method you prefer. 

Method 1: Call Our National Scheduling Office at 800-221-4291

Method 2: Email orders@accrediteddrugtesting.net

Method 3: Receive Log In to Scheduling System (Brief Training Required)

Hair Drug Testing Gains Government Support

Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary, Tom Price recently received a letter advocating for the Federal Guidelines to allow for hair drug testing to be expedited. The letter was not the first of its kind…

MLB Drug Suspension Trends

MLB-Drug-Suspensions

Major League Baseball’s drug policy was a joint venture between the MLB Players Association and the MLB Commissioner’s Office. The goal of this program when adopted was…

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