DATAC News

Earlier in September, several B.C. physicians specializing in assessing addiction have been accused of “massive conflict of interest” by several organizations which have pointed out the addiction specialists’ potential financial interest in the drug testing industry. The group of physicians in question are responsible for creating return-to-work plans for individuals treated for substance use disorders … Continued

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A recent article published in Daily Commercial News discussed the steps that need to be taken to bring back an employee to work after they tested positive for drugs and were removed from the jobsite. Specifically, the article discussed the recommendations presented during the Fit for Duty webinar organized by the Infrastructure Health and Safety … Continued

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According to recent studies conducted in Canada and the U.S., alcohol and drug consumption has significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey carried out by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 23.3% of survey respondents reported drinking more alcohol compared to before the pandemic. The data analysis revealed that changes in alcohol use … Continued

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Starting on November 8, 2021, a new rule established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will take effect, requiring truck drivers who have a positive drug or alcohol test results to have their licenses downgraded. With this new rule, the FMCSA plans to amend its regulations to establish requirements for state driver’s licensing … Continued

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The Guelph Police Service launched an investigation of at least four reports of female students’ drinks being spiked with an unknown substance after receiving the information from the University of Guelph in September of this year. According to a statement released by the police, two of the complaints were linked to a recent house party … Continued

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According to the results of a recent survey conducted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, nearly 9 out of 10 family doctors across Canada have stated they are increasingly concerned about patients’ emotional stress related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the results of the survey show that 87% of family physicians are … Continued

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Earlier in September, Montreal’s Groupe de recherche et d’intervention psychosociale (GRIP) received an exemption from Health Canada to use its fully equipped drug-testing van to determine the composition of illicit drugs at festivals, raves and other events. GRIP’s mobile drug-testing unit will be the first of its kind in Quebec. “It’s a big deal,” said … Continued

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According to the results of recent large-scale studies, construction workers are heavily represented in overdose deaths across Western Canada and the U.S. An analysis of 872 overdose deaths carried out by the BC Coroners Service showed that 44% of the individuals were employed at the time of death and of those, 55% were employed in … Continued

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Earlier in July, Walpole Island First Nation, a community situated south of Sarnia, Ont., declared a state of emergency to help stop a spike in overdoses. Opiates and, specifically fentanyl have been determined as the leading cause of the growing numbers of overdoses and deaths in the community over the last year and a half. … Continued

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Over recent months, health officials in the Fraser Health region of B.C. have voiced their concerns regarding an increase in overdoses linked to use of opioids laced with benzodiazepines. In her interview with CBC News, Dr. Ariella Zbar, medical health officer for the Fraser Health Authority, said that due to opioids being increasingly contaminated with … Continued

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