Drug and Alcohol Testing

Drug and Alcohol Testing

November 12, 2020

As the pandemic continues, so do changes to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) guidelines and regulations. In March, the DOT issued guidelines on drug and alcohol testing but has since then made adjustments to the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) guidelines due to the continuously fluctuating workforce and operational disruptions that the pandemic has caused. COVID-19 has made it challenging for employers to meet minimum random drug and alcohol testing requirements under several circumstances. Although they have made more accommodating changes, random drug and alcohol testing is still required.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

November 06, 2020

On Tuesday, November 4, 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize the possession of hard drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, and Oxycodone. Individuals will be given the option of paying a $100 fine or attending an established addiction treatment program funded by Oregon’s legalized, regulated marijuana industry. Measure 110 does NOT legalize hard drugs but rather reduces possession to a non-criminal offense.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

October 22, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic takes center stage, crises such as the amphetamine epidemic only continue to worsen as they go unnoticed. Before the pandemic, amphetamines were already on the rise, and with added stress, anxiety, and fear, drug test positivity rates are now soaring. The pandemic has exacerbated conditions that lead people to self-medicate to help cope with the emotions that come along with unemployment, financial and health issues, and lockdowns. In addition, some individuals refrained from seeking treatment centers out of fear of contracting the virus. Others had trouble finding facilities that were open, as they limited services or closed. As we face one pandemic, employers need to anticipate the worsening amphetamine epidemic and prepare their workplace drug testing programs now before it’s too late.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

July 22, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has caused disruptions to businesses, jobs, and the daily lives of individuals across America. As a result of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, there have been numerous questions regarding government mandates and potential exceptions associated with drug and alcohol testing requirement. The purpose of this blog is specifically focused on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the current state of testing mandates. Therefore, employers must understand that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements have NOT been suspended. The FMCSA emphasized that employers that remain capable of meeting the random testing requirements outlined in Part 382 must continue to do so. Per the FMCSA, “This Notice is not intended, and should not be perceived, as suspending the current random testing requirements.”

Drug and Alcohol Testing

July 08, 2020

The legalization of marijuana varies by state, causing employers to request safety-sensitive carve-outs to help them enforce safety in the workplace for positions that pose a risk. As state medicinal and recreational marijuana legislation pass, it’s vital that employers remain up-to- date on any recent changes that affect safety-sensitive carve-outs so as to not compromise safety, while also understanding their liability protections. New York City, for example, recently updated a rule that adds six new safety-sensitive positions to the carve-out included in the ordinance.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

June 24, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has caused significant changes to businesses and daily life across the country. As states begin phasing into reopening plans, employers are implementing a number of safety measures to enhance procedures in the workplace and ensure that others feel safer entering the building. Employers who utilize employment screening services have been apprehensive about sending employees to collection sites due to the risk of being exposed to COVID-19, but just like other businesses, collection sites have implemented safety procedures.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

June 18, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many changes for both employers and employees alike, especially when it comes to prioritizing safety in the workplace. When compared to similar national crises, such as the terrorist attacks on 9/11, research has proved that substance abuse increases (click here to watch DISA’s Webinar on Drug Abuse in Times of National Crisis).