In recent months, xylazine, a potent sedative circulating in the illicit drug supply in the United States, has been increasingly detected in Canada’s street drugs, as health experts have raised concerns due to its risk of contributing to overdose-related deaths. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer and analgesic used in veterinary medicine and, specifically, on large … Continued
Continue ReadingEarlier in January, the Banff Public Library launched a pilot program which combines harm reduction approaches with access to relevant information in order to address the ongoing opioid crisis in Alberta. Moreover, the library had partnered with primary care networks in the area to provide free drug testing kits in the Bow Valley in anticipation … Continued
Continue ReadingAccording to new data released by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), there were 414 impaired driving offences in the province in December, including 240 Criminal Code of Canada charges and 174 sanctions such as license suspensions. While the number of criminal charges laid was the lowest in the month of December since at least 2019, the … Continued
Continue ReadingSince the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched its Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse in January 2020, carriers became required to query the clearinghouse before hiring a driver. Consequently, implementing drug and alcohol testing programs has become increasingly important for carriers. A recent article published by Freight Waves including information contributed by … Continued
Continue ReadingIn December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) denied a request from a group of carriers to expand the scope of the reported drug clearinghouse results to also include the results of hair testing. The request for hair testing results to be included with urinalysis data on the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse was … Continued
Continue ReadingAccording to a news release published by the RCMP on Prince Edward Island, a specialized unit made 52 impaired driving arrests in 2022. In addition, 43 of the drivers arrested were impaired by drugs, while eight drivers were impaired by alcohol, and one was charged with failure to provide a sample. “I think it speaks … Continued
Continue ReadingIn an update published on December 15, Yukon’s Chief Coroner Dr. Heather Jones stated that a total of 25 people died from toxic drug use in the territory during 2022. These numbers correspond to the record-high 2021 overdose-related death statistics for the territory. “Toxic illicit drugs involving cocaine, opioids and benzodiazepines continue to take lives … Continued
Continue ReadingCanada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials recently reported seizing nearly 2,500 kg of opium in the largest opium seizure to date for the agency. The details of the seizure and investigation were released in a press conference at the Tsawwassen Container Examination Facility in December of 2022. “Our border services officers, intelligence officers and analysts … Continued
Continue ReadingPre-employment Investigations It has now been three years since the FMCSA Clearinghouse came into being, with all FMCSA DOT violations to the drug and alcohol regulations being posted within it. This means that for employers following 49 CFR 391.23(e) they are now able to find all of the FMCSA violation information, for the past three … Continued
Continue ReadingIn November of last year, Toronto’s Casey House hospital added drug inhalation to the list of services it offers through its supervised consumption service. As a result, clients can now smoke substances on-site as part of its hospital-based supervised consumption services (SCS), which also makes Casey House the first site in Ontario to offer indoor … Continued
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