Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drug and Alcohol Testing

June 13, 2024

Minnesota recently adjusted its mandatory drug, alcohol, and cannabis testing law to permit employers to perform oral fluid testing that is exempt from the state’s laboratory testing requirements. Though the updates do not specifically use the words “rapid result” or “onsite”, it clearly states that oral fluid can be used for non-laboratory testing and results must be given at the time a test occurs, making it clear that it is referring to POCT oral fluid. Oral fluid tests complying with the regulatory updates will be permitted as of August 1, 2024, for drug, alcohol, and cannabis testing purposes.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 15, 2024

DISA Global Solutions was recently featured in an article from NETA World’s Spring 2024 Journal, the quarterly journal published by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA). We have republished it below with permission from NETA World. Visit www.netaworld.com for more information.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 13, 2024

In an era where the normalization of marijuana contrasts starkly with the escalating crisis of fentanyl abuse, employers face an unprecedented challenge in maintaining safe and compliant workplaces. It’s essential HR professionals understand the evolving dynamics of workplace drug testing, between the legalization of marijuana and the alarming rise of fentanyl.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

May 07, 2024

As we observe National Fentanyl Awareness Day, it's vital to acknowledge the severe implications of the fentanyl crisis on both communities and workplaces. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid vastly more potent than morphine, is a primary contributor to the opioid epidemic due to its clandestine addition to street drugs.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

April 15, 2024

Illicit drug use and its direct impact on workplace safety continues to be a growing issue. With a staggering surge in overdose deaths, reaching 98,000 in 2021—an alarming 58% increase from just two years ago—the current drug landscape demands urgent attention. Drug testing methodologies, such as urine analysis, hair testing, and oral fluid testing, play pivotal roles within comprehensive testing programs. Additionally, it stresses the critical importance of understanding state laws and regulations across different regions.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

March 25, 2024

The opioid crisis has had a historical significance, spanning from the Civil War era to the contemporary landscape, underscoring the profound impact of the current epidemic. It offers a comprehensive analysis of fentanyl's role, highlighting its potency and the ease of illicit production, factors contributing to an unprecedented surge in overdose deaths in the United States. There are many challenges associated with detecting fentanyl and its analogs in drug testing, the legal and regulatory hurdles in controlling its distribution, and potential emerging treatments, such as vaccines targeting the effects of fentanyl.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

March 18, 2024

The landscape of drug testing and legal regulations has undergone significant evolution, transitioning from the simplicity of past decades to today's complex array of over 500 bills introduced in a single year. This dynamic shift reflects ongoing legal developments, such as the DOT's final regulations on lab-based oral fluid testing and the progressive legalization of marijuana at the state level, which are reshaping options for employers. Understanding the impact of these changes on employer drug testing programs is paramount, with compliance serving as the ultimate legal safeguard against potential challenges. Employers must stay on top of the intricate web of mandatory and voluntary drug testing laws across states, industry-specific regulations, and the nuanced implications of medical and recreational cannabis legalization on workplace policies.