Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Winnipeg launches 24/7 mobile paramedic team to respond to overdose calls
Earlier in June, the Manitoba government announced a new pilot project that will deploy 24/7 a mobile paramedic team in downtown Winnipeg to respond to overdose calls and address the ongoing toxic drug crisis. However, the city's mayor and the paramedics' union have...
Lanark County mobile clinic supports residents facing challenges
A mobile outreach team in Lanark County has been launched with the aim to connect vulnerable residents with health care, housing and addiction support services. The Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT), which includes a paramedic, mental health social worker and...
Prince Albert committee backs expanded wastewater drug monitoring
Earlier in May, Prince Albert’s Executive Committee endorsed a proposal to join Health Canada’s National Wastewater Drug Surveillance program following debate over its potential benefits and drawbacks. During Tuesday’s meeting, Community Safety and Well-Being...
Drug poisonings reach record high in Guelph and Wellington County
According to new data released by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), there has been a record number of drug poisoning incidents in Guelph and Wellington County since local surveillance began. Specifically, at least 269 incidents were reported in the...
DOT expands use of observed urine drug testing for truck drivers
According to the new rule published in the U.S. Federal Register earlier in May, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will require “directly observed” urine drug-testing in federal workplace situations where saliva testing is required, but is not possible. The...
Quebec arbitrator upholds Air Transat’s zero-tolerance cannabis policy
Earlier in May, a Quebec arbitrator upheld Air Transat’s zero-tolerance cannabis policy for flight attendants, finding that the restriction was reasonable despite prohibiting employees from using cannabis during their personal time. In Syndicat canadien de la fonction...
2026 Spring Newsletter
It is time for DATAC's Spring Newsletter for 2026! As always DATAC works hard to bring our community relevant content to educate and inspire. In this newsletter you will find: A company spotlight on A2Z Safety & Training Industry article about GLP-1s as...
Clinicians develop addiction treatment approaches as kratom and 7-OH use increase
A recent analysis article published by WHYY and authored by Liz Tung discussed the growing use of kratom and its synthetic derivatives, particularly 7-OH and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl in the U.S. Although national prevalence estimates remain uncertain, clinicians have...
Current evidence on cannabis and health: Analysis
A recent New York Times analysis authored by Roni Caryn Rabin examined the current scientific and clinical understanding of cannabis use, particularly in the context of reduced medical cannabis restrictions in the U.S. Earlier in April, the White House announced it...