Opioid laws are changing around the nation – tightening the amount and duration of prescriptions doctors can write. Congress has allocated $6 billion towards the epidemic for 2018 and 2019, but it’s unclear how the money will be spent at this point.

Florida’s bill would limit opioid prescriptions to three days, though seven-day supplies would be permitted if a physician deems them medically necessary. The restrictions wouldn’t apply to patients suffering pain related to cancer, terminal illness, traumatic injuries or palliative care.

The goal of the new law is to help prevent people from getting addicted to prescription opioids. Earlier restrictions on prescriptions, and higher costs, have been shown to lead to some patients to switch to cheaper, more plentiful street drugs like heroin and fentanyl.

The impact of the new law is a hot topic among pain management physicians and their patients. Taufiq Ahmed, M.D., principal pain specialist at Physician Partners of America Pain Relief Group – Orlando, recently talked with Spectrum My News 13 in Orlando about the sweeping changes in Florida’s opioid laws. While he understands the need for more regulation, Dr. Ahmed and his peers are concerned about the unintended consequences that legitimate chronic pain sufferers could face.

“It’s been a little frustrating for us pain providers as well because we realize not every injury is a three-day or a seven-day situation,” he said.

Ahmed, an anesthesiologist as well as a pain management physician, gets to the root cause of the pain in the PPOA tradition, and treats it with a number of modalities. This may include injections, radiofrequency ablation, nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulator implants. He also incorporates alternative methods to help reduce the chance a patient develops a dependence on opioids.

“Everyone has good intentions in mind, and to be frank the issues with the amount of heroin and opioid overdoses we’re seeing in Florida is staggering,” he said.

 

Read the full article: SPECTRUM NEWS 13: Florida’s opioid legislation causes concern amongst pain sufferers

 

 

 

Gone are the days when drug testing was viewed as a punitive process. Today, it is considered to be a vital tool in the hiring process, to keep employee productivity, and identify opportunities for the overall success of the company.

The majority of employers require their employees to submit to a drug test prior and after being hired. In most cases, after being hired some employers find reasonable suspicion before requiring an employee to take a drug test. In spite of marijuana legalization in some state, employees might still be punished in case they will be tested positive. A failed drug test would include the following punishment: termination, rehabilitation, and losing employment benefits.

A pre-employment drug test is an effective way of separating those who are using drugs from those who are not. However, the best way to eliminate the use of drugs in the workplace is through a random drug testing. This test will discourage the use of drugs during employment. If you aim to have a drug-free workplace, then you should read on the benefits of random drug testing.

Ensure Employee Safety

Even if a person is completely sober, there are some jobs that are still dangerous to perform. The use of heavy equipment or driving a truck requires a worker to be alert. For instance, an employee who works at a deli counter should never use drugs while working on a hot stove or when handling sharp knives. Given this, A drug test that will be conducted before an employee starts working would make sure that he will not be under the influence, thus protecting himself and the other people in the company from potential harm.

Contribute to Employee Productivity

Undeniably, alcohol and drug use have been stigmatized- from those in the highest position down to the lowest; people would try their best to conceal their use, instead of seeking professional help. As a result, they are at risk for progression to a more serious addiction- even accidents or illnesses.

But with a random drug test employers will be alerted that is needed. When early intervention is done, any struggling employee would be able to improve in terms of productivity as well as their moral.

Rehabilitation (to retain valuable talent)

Some people develop addiction through time and a crucial juncture may occur at mid-life and mid-career. These people may have already built up some very good records at work. Their difficulty, on the other hand, may have started as illnesses progress or they experience life-changing events. In some cases, there are employees who are willing to encourage a colleague to seek help.

Motivate employees to change

There are many employees who would resort to the use of drugs when having troubles, whether in the personal or professional aspects of their lives. The consequences of such can be very negative and others may not even be able to acknowledge the problem. The good thing is, when an employer addresses the job performance and would seek assistance as part of the whole plan of addressing the problem. The likely result is to see a great turnaround from the motivation given by the employer.

Avoid potential problems

It is the company’s prerogative to screen potential employees in order to prevent problems that may arise as a result of persistent drug use. A drug use problem may escalate and a person who seems like a good employee can be unreliable when he gets hired. He may start to show up at work late or would not focus on the job. Paying for a random drug test upfront can benefit the company in the long run as there’s no need to hire people or to compensate the one that has been injured.

Creating a healthier workplace

Drug use comes with a number of health risks. But by investing on educating employees on the risk of drug use and by administering a random drug use, a healthier workplace is created. This will benefit the lives of the employees, both in and out of the workplace. By understanding the risk, they’d be able to value and live a healthier life.

It is very important for employers to always consider worst-case scenarios at work. Depending on the drug, the user, and other possible factors, casual use may lead to a drug problem. Therefore, it is important for an employer to take preventive measures. By implementing a drug-free workplace program, the employees both individually and as a whole would be able to decrease and avoid drug-related incidents and stay in a place that is conducive for work.

Given a chance, drug testing is one thing that many, if not all of us, would like to evade. But if you are working for a government agency or your job has some level of “sensitivity” such as being a teacher or driver, then you’d have to undergo a drug test at some point. Drug testing can also be required to anyone- if you are an athlete or when you have plans of adopting a child. In today’s time when government scrutiny has greatly increased, more people are required to have their urine inspected.

The main objective of a drug test is to have a negative result. This dreaded test may come in various forms. Testing labs may look for traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)— the active ingredient in cannabis, giving it its narcotic and psychoactive effects) in urine, hair, blood, etc. The urine test, however, is considered to be the most common. Although this is considered to be the cheapest and easiest, others might find it uncool. But when you’ve got no choice, what can you do?

The fear of getting positive results is inevitable whenever one has to undergo a drug test. This is why many people prepare the best way possible to ensure that they will not be in trouble. There are various ways that people have done to outsmart drug tests. But if you think you know well, you should see some of the most popular myths get debunked.

10 Drug Test Myths

Drinking plenty of water before a test makes THC undetectable.
Sure, your friends may tell you “drink lots of water before you pee”. But this one is more of a warning. Although drinking water will dilute urine and make it difficult to detect THC, this also sends a red flag to the company that’s testing you. The majority of drug tests today tracks the level of creatinine- a byproduct of the digestion process. When urine is diluted, creatinine is diluted as well- a warning which is likely to lead to more extensive tests.

Exercising before a drug test leads to passing results.

This one might only be helpful to smokers (especially heavy smokers) who have a few weeks left before the drug test. When you have enough time to diet, detox, and exercise then you might be saved from the urine test. But when there is very little time to prepare and for surprise tests, this one is just a myth.

Home remedies will boost the chances of passing.

When you search on Google “home remedies to pass drug tests” you will be given hundreds of results: cranberry juice, jello, niacin, and so many others. But these methods are merely based on personal stories and aren’t strong enough to guarantee that you will pass.

Secondhand smoke will make you fail the test.

As long as you’re not smoking like a chimney, it’s not possible to inhale enough smoke that will lead you to fail the test. Passive inhalation will not bring enough amount of THC to the system to register a positive result. There’s no need to fear when someone lights up a cigarette.

Mouthwash will beat a Mouth Swab Drug Test

Although there might be a lot of truth to it, you can’t just use any mouthwash from the grocery store. A special detox mouthwash that specifically made for this drug screening will do the trick. So be sure that you get the right one to guarantee that you will pass.

A saliva drug test will not detect weed

In a saliva drug test or also known as spit drug test or mouth swab test, weed can be detected. The test is becoming more popular because it is very easy and cheap. This is administered by the law enforcement or employers to detect marijuana use. This can also be deployed anytime, making it super easy to conduct random drug tests. The worse thing is, the results are immediate and accurate.

Antibiotics do not cause a false positive drug test.

There are some classes of antibiotics which may cross-react in the opiate screen. For instance, Quinolones may cause a positive screen but confirmation by some methods like LC/MS/MS or GC/MS will be negative.

It’s possible to detect marijuana use by comparing THC levels in consecutive samples.
Using THC level only does not detect new marijuana use. This is because the drug concentration may be different to the amount of water in the samples. To determine new use, THC/Creatinine ratios of the samples should be compared. When the ratio has increased in the second sample, then new use has likely occurred.

Poppy seeds will not cause a false positive opiate result.

Truth: poppy seeds can cause positive results depending on the cut-off used for a positive test. If it’s at 2000-ng/ml cut-off level, it’s unlikely.

Food and beauty products containing hemp seed will not lead to a positive THC test.

Products with hemp seed contain trace amounts of non-psycho-active THC. At the same time, given the amount of usage, some positive screens may occur in donors who use this product. Donors should avoid using this product while involved in a drug test.

A drug test can be scary especially that it can make or break whatever good is happening in your life as of the moment. But as you may never get away with it, you just have to be positive that you’ll get negative results. Moreover, it would greatly help if you are aware of the following drug test myths and know the real truth behind them.

Finding a job nowadays can be such pain in the neck. But it is something that is necessary in order to survive. Half of the world’s population push through each day, soldiering on through routine tasks and daily struggles just to make it to their jobs. However, half of the world do not even have one. There are numerous reasons why a person cannot find a job. Some of these reasons are; meager job opportunities in third-world countries because of economic factors, personal credentials are deemed not suitable for the company’s standards, or these job applicants have a history of health-related issues. These are just a few reasons. The list goes on.

In the age of technology nowadays, companies have become more cautious in who they hire. Some companies have become more intrusive, asking for personal details and history including social media accounts and posts. Some applicants in recent years lose certain job opportunities on grounds of distasteful comments and posts. Some are not hired because of physical and mental discrimination. And some people are not hired because of their health history, specifically if they have had some history with substance abuse and rehabilitation. It is a painful truth that is happening currently.

Another sad truth is that in some states and countries, this is legal. To be fair, employers are just being good businessmen and is looking out for the welfare of the company. If a company refuse to hire someone with a substance abuse history, it is their right to do so. However, they also have the prerogative to request for drug testing. This depends on the laws or statutes of the state though. For an example, Florida drug testing and Texas drug testing laws might vary but they have a lot more in common than they have differences. These laws include employment specifications and so forth. Companies have to abide by these laws or else they will suffer the consequences.

For example, a specific case of a drug test request. There are a few reasons why companies ask applicants or employees for drug testing. One valid reason is if there is a history of abuse. Another one is if a person currently employed by the company shows weird behavior that may be associated with the intake of illegal substances. In general, drugs refer to alcohol, amphetamines, cannabinoids, prescription drugs, designer drugs, among others. These drugs are commonly abused by millions of people worldwide. Some of these drugs are distributed illegally all over the world. Prescription drugs are a bit different. They are easily accessible as long as it is prescribed by a licensed physician.

So, can employees legally test for prescription drugs? Technically, yes. But there are several factors to be considered which make it a little bit more complicated than the normal drug testing process. Most states allow employers or companies to demand or request drug testing from their employees or future applicants. One of these states is Texas, U.S.A. Most companies nowadays are not taking any chances; especially because there have been occurrences that prescription drugs can be abused and even taken in the workplace. In fact, details show that there has been a considerable increase in the number of employees that has been reliant on prescription drugs. According to Quest Diagnostics, the number jumped almost 40 percent from 2005 to 2009. Those who become addicted risk losing their jobs because of causing trouble in the company. Troubles such as low productivity level, possible accidents while on the job, and might possibly cause theft in the workplace. Being addicted to these prescription drugs makes everything quite complicated; not only in the workplace but also in personal spaces and relationships. Possession and usage of illegal drugs is a criminal liability. Unlike illegal drugs, addiction to prescription drugs does not necessarily entail criminal repercussions. It is a layered process involving the cooperation of physicians and a thorough review of the health history of the subject.

Moreover, a law known as Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA provides protection to those who are using these drugs. Basically, an organization or company is limited or in some cases, restricted to question an employee’s use of a prescription drug. This presents a problem to the employer especially if said employee displays unreasonable behavior that may be because of substance abuse.  Additionally, workers are entitled to keep the details of their health information private.

There are a few exceptions though. It includes jobs that are dangerous and requires certain strengths. Also, employees who are undergoing post-recovery after an accident are supposed to tell this to their company physician. Some companies require full disclosure on their employees’ prescription drug medication.

In hindsight, it can also benefit the employees. Some people may not even recognize that they are already having an addiction to prescription drugs. In a sense, this could be a way to help employees find the road to recovery.

Effective Drug Screening

If you are an owner of a company, there are high chances that you would not want your employees to be under the influence of drugs while working or let them suffer from the after-effects of drugs while at work. This will result to making them less productive and worse, this may lead to an unsafe workplace.

Although drug testing is readily available, especially in today’s time when it has become almost a requirement for all companies and agencies to have their employees undergo the testing, it can be expensive. It might also be difficult for some employers to spend their money on such. However, there are ways that can help employers minimize the cost while still making sure that the workplace is safe and drug-free. One of them is to conduct an effective drug testing.

Below are some of the tips that will help employers conduct an efficient drug testing while creating a productive workplace without breaking the bank.

Be smart and sure about which drugs you test

You should answer this very important question to help your company conduct an Effective Drug Screening: Do you do prior research before choosing the drugs that you are going to test for? You would definitely not want to be tested for all drugs as this would only contribute to a greater deal of expense as far as the procedure is concerned. What needs to be done is to make sure that you are only testing for the drugs that have the highest tendencies to be used in the area where your employees are.

For example, if most of the employees are under the age thirty, research about the most common types of drugs that people of this age would likely use. On the other hand, twenty-year-olds are more inclined to do drugs than those in their thirties. Therefore, it is important to make a distinction when you decide for the drug to test.

Moreover, you should also research on the types of drugs that are available in your area. This is an important factor as the popular drugs may signify that they are available and are likely to be used by people. Doing your research in advance will make the drug testing more effective and will help you save a decent amount of money.

When opting for a urine test, be sure that the time frame is short enough for it to be effective

Passing a drug test can be easy- you just have to wait for one to two days for the drugs to pass out of the system. If you want to make the urine test effective, you need to require your employees to undergo the test in one day. But make sure that you check the laws present in your area and that you are within the set guidelines.

Consider a saliva test for on-site collection of samples

Lastly, if you are going to collect a sample for an on-site random drug test, it is important to go with a saliva test instead of a urine test. A urine test might be uncomfortable for people to take while in the workplace. However, since a saliva test would only involve a small, lollipop-shaped stick and put it in the mouth, it is unlikely to cause any discomfort on the employees. At the same time, saliva testing is not easy to fake, thus providing more accurate results and a more effective drug screening.

Today, technology has provided significant improvements in drug testing methodologies and different industries are catching up. Since drug testing is important in making sure that the company is safe and employees are productive, maximizing the benefits of these technologies will undoubtedly yield positive results.

Texas’ Drug Testing Rules and Regulations

Under Texas drug testing and federal laws, there is almost no limitation at all on the right of private employers to adopt drug and alcohol testing policies for their workers.

In a federal country like the U.S., the separate states have their own specific laws in terms of illegal drug abuse, drug testing, and punishment for those who sell or handle drugs. For example, cannabinoids are legal in some states and prohibited in others. Some states restrict employers to require drug testing from their employees. Some have not, including the second biggest state in the U.S.: Texas.

This means that if an employer in Texas asks someone to have a drug test, he or she must do so or else there are consequences to be suffered. This includes the possibility of being denied a job as stated under the provisions of the Texas Labor Code. Texas drug testing is also necessary to acquire a motoring carrier registration. These are just the basic Texas’ rules and regulations on drug testing.

In Texas drug testing, one of the testing models often used is from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TLDR). The general rules basically cover things like employees must not be under any medication unless prescribed by a doctor or licensed medical professional.

Regardless of where you live or work, there are three types of tests and the first one is pre-employment. People who received an initial job offer should undergo drug testing prior to getting a final offer. It is followed by the annual type of test which says that all employees must have a drug test once in every twelve months. The last one is random testing.

In random drug testing, this is a urine test conducted with at least 25% of a company’s employees tested each year. A consent form is also compulsory, stating that the subject permits testing and allows the release of the result to a medical review officer (MRO), the company and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. An employee who tested positive and went through rehabilitation has a chance to go back to the company; as long as that person submits a return-to-duty test. Follow-up tests are also necessitated and all of these should be negative.

With Texas drug testing, the question on everybody’s mind here and elsewhere is how do you fairly and objectively solve an age-old problem that has grown globally and continues to do so?

Countless methods and strategies have been tried and tested. Many of these have failed, some may seem to work, a few are sometimes unlawful. Millions of resources have been spent and yet it still goes on. How exactly do you fight and finally end illegal drug use and distribution? Governments and medical authorities from all over the world are in a quandary when it comes to this issue. Although there are ways and actions that are taken, the fight goes on.

World-wide, there are different approaches in fighting illegal drug distribution. It depends on the area. Some European countries focus on the treatment of drug abusers, some countries like the U.S. focus on the punishment of drug pushers. This worldwide effort requires all the cooperation from various parts of the society for it to work. It might be hard and there is no guarantee but it is better than nothing at all.

The biggest problem that Texas faces is that illegal drug distribution is a business. In fact, it is a billion-dollar business that encompasses the globe and one in which numerous governments outside of the U.S. benefit from it too. It is not easy to put a stop to a “business” with a world-wide reach and a web of connections. It just might not be possible. However, some countries are trying their best to fight illegal drug abuse and distribution by discouraging illegal drug use through routine testing of current and potential employees.

Drug testing for this war on drugs is viewed as essential by many employers. Recent numbers in Texas show that substance-abuse treatment inquires increased 22% since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Texas HHS reports that an average of 128 people die every day from opioid use in the U.S. In Texas, the drug overdose death rate is 10.4 per 100,000, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health statistics. It’s worth noting, however, that alcohol is the primary drug of abuse in Texas and although alcohol does not appear in standard drug tests, it can be included in a drug test if specifically requested.

In Texas drug testing, it’s common for large companies to even have their own designated Medical Review Officers (MROs) to review and analyze all the testing information that the medical laboratory submitted. It’s expected that the MRO should fully be qualified and with substantial experience in substance abuse disorders. It is strictly confidential and the laboratory should surrender the result only to the designated MRO.

So, what are the implications of a positive drug test? One, a person would be disqualified from being considered for a job position. If a person is already an employee in a Texas-based company, he or she might be dismissed or fired from the job. Some local state companies might dole out less disciplinary actions. However, there are several factors that are considered; work history, employment length, job position and performance, and past disciplinary actions, if any.

Legal Claims for Texas Drug Testing

The State of Texas requires companies that employ at least 15 people to enact comprehensive drug reduction policies, most of which include drug testing. An employer must give this policy in writing to its staff to sign. Employers cannot perform drug tests on employees who have not given their written consent. While workers do have the option of refusing to sign the policy, it is usually possible to fire them for declining.

In recent years, the State of Texas has gradually loosened restrictions and expanded legal applications for marijuana to treat certain medical conditions.

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a marijuana “Compassionate Use” law that allows doctor-prescribed low-THC-level marijuana to epilepsy patients.

In 2019, the program was further expanded to include treatment for more ailments including other seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, ALS, autism, terminal cancer, and other non-specified incurable neurodegenerative diseases.

The Texas Legislature in 2019 basically ruled that cannabis with less than 0.3 percent concentration of THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gets you high, is “legal hemp”, while anything above that threshold is illegal marijuana.
Texas drug testing is considered essential in many of its large institutions. It is difficult to be in such a situation but it also a good way to get help.

Some drug abusers do not get the help they need because of being in denial; of convincing themselves that they do not have a problem. Yes, it is a struggle at first. But undergoing a local Texas drug test may just be what some need to jolt them back to reality. If this is the case, acknowledging is the first step in getting help. Then comes the responsibility. It is a person’s responsibility to take care of his or herself. This includes the will and determination to clean up their lives.

Reference URL:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/data/documents/2006_Binder7.doc
https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/efte/drug_testing_in_the_workplace.html
https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/texas2014a.pdf

Florida drug testing continues to evolve for what it deems as illegal drug use. In the US, each state has its own laws and regulations regarding drugs, drug control and abuse. For instance, states like California, Alaska, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida etc. legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but not recreational. Some states like Alaska and Colorado allows recreational marijuana use. Each individual state has their own ways and laws to fight drug abuse. Some critics say that the war on drugs has failed, focusing more on punishment rather than treatment and prevention. Some believe that it is a war that has to be fought over and over again. Therefore, it has been a requirement nowadays for schools, workplaces, hospitals and so on to conduct drug testing. This an attempt to, if not eradicate, at least regulate substance usage and reliance.

Florida’s rules and regulations on drug testing

Look at Florida’s drug testing rules and regulations as an example. First off, when should be testing done or allowed? In Florida, drug testing is authorized if there is a valid reason for suspicion of substance abuse. Say for example a person exhibits erratic behavior, there is a report of drug abuse from a proper and credible source, and if there is evidence that he or she has used or possessed illegal substances in the workplace. This is defined as “reasonable-suspicion drug testing”. If an employer will be able to provide detailed occasions to back up claims and requests for a Florida drug test, then it should be compiled. If an employee has a history of drug abuse and participated in rehabilitation, counseling or intervention, a follow-up might be necessary.

Florida drug testing may also be required to prove that an applicant is fit to work. A written notice for the testing should be given 60 days in advance as declared by the law. All Florida drug testing should be administered by a certified SAMHSA or Florida Agency Health Care Administration (FL-AHCA) approved laboratories. Then, it must be checked by a licensed medical professional. Non-compliance or refusal to undergo the testing may be grounds for discharge or being fired.

For job applicants, a positive Florida drug testing result will hinder any chance of being hired. Also, companies are legally bound to compensate their employees who went through the testing and proved to be negative. If the Florida drug test results are initially negative, companies can have a confirmation test or a “second” test.

Florida Drug Testing Laws

Furthermore, there are a lot of terms that are defined in the Florida drug testing statutes. These are important terms to familiarize with, especially those who are requested to undergo the testing.

The word “drugs” is generally known as an umbrella term for abused chemical substances which may be medical or otherwise. In the Florida statutes, there are certain drugs that may be tested in a person. These are as follows; alcoholic beverages e.g. wine or intoxicating liquors, amphetamine, cannabinoid, phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturate, benzodiazepine, synthetic narcotics and designer drugs. If a person is positive, the state requires that he or she go through a “drug rehabilitation program”. This refers to a service provider that aims to solve the problem, mainly to help the addict recover from the substance abuse. Other than the “reasonable-suspicion drug testing” (as aforementioned), there is also what is known as “mandatory-testing position” which is applicable to jobs that necessitate the person to handle firearms or work in life-threatening environs.

Even though Florida law allows employer to drug test, employees and applicants may have legal claims based on how the test was conducted, who was tested, or how the results were used. … Although an employer has the legal right to test, it must follow the state’s requirements.

Drug addiction has become one of the world’s greatest problems to solve. Some countries even launched an all-out war on drugs led by the United States. It is a continuous battle that requires cooperation with the government, institutions, and other essential parts of the society. Since time immemorial, the war has been waged. Even though there are milestones and achievements, it is still quite a struggle to stop the production and distribution of illegal drugs.

Post-Covid, there has been a reported spike in serious drug use leading to hospitalization. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studied more than 180 million ER visits from Dec. 30, 2018, to Oct. 10, 2020, and found that weekly counts of all drug overdoses were up to 45% higher in 2020 than in 2019, according to the study published Feb. 3 in the peer-reviewed JAMA Psychiatry. Opioid overdoses, specifically, increased about 29% compared with before the pandemic.

It is a well-known fact that drugs disrupt a person’s life in ways more than one. People who are addicted or reliant on drugs might find themselves ruining personal relationships, employment chances and having physical and mental health problems. That is why it is very important to be able to learn more about drug abuse and drug testing. Researching and knowing more will enable a person to know about their rights, not only as employees of a certain company but human rights as well. Some companies might overstep their boundaries and violate certain human rights. Reading on these topics will enable a person to understand and know where he or she stands. Finally, it might a hassle for some people but it is better to deal with it and follow the law.