Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
2026 Summer Newsletter
It is time for DATAC's Summer 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 Workplace Medical A regulatory review of random testing A product...
International Overdose Awareness Day
25 Years On. Still Needed: How Drug Testing Can Be Part of the Solution August 31 marks International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember the people we have lost to overdose, acknowledge the families and communities affected by substance use, and renew our...
Experimental antibodies may counter the harmful effects of xylazine
According to a new study, researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have developed antibodies that may help reduce the harmful effects of xylazine, a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit fentanyl supplies. As part of the study,...
DOT return-to-duty scams: Risks, warning signs and prevention
A recent analysis article published by the American Substance Abuse Professionals (ASAP) and authored by Sandra Serrano discussed fraud involving individuals posing as qualified Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs) in the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)...
Newfoundland and Labrador consider new school measures to address student substance use
In July, Newfoundland and Labrador's education minister and the provincial NDP leaders expressed support for measures aimed at preventing substance use among children and adolescents in schools. The proposals follow recommendations from a recent child death review,...
DOT shy bladder and none provided
For collectors, Designated Employer Representatives (DERs), and Medical Review Officers (MROs), a "shy bladder" situation can be one of the more misunderstood problems that can occur during a DOT drug test. A shy bladder is not automatically a refusal to test, and the...
Overdose emergencies increased across Ontario cities in 2026
According to the results of a recent analysis published by CBC News and authored by Ariel Tozman, the number of opioid overdose calls to paramedics recorded in the first five months of 2026 increased in four Ontario cities significantly compared to one year ago....
DOT updates specimen collection procedures
The DOT has made some updates to their DOT Urine Specimen Collection Procedures Guidelines. Many of the changes are simply the addition of greater detail regarding the procedure being specifically written out, rather than an actual change to how it should be...
Eye infections on rise due to drug injection: Study
According to a recent study carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, injection drug use-associated eye infections have become significantly more common in recent years, with fentanyl use linked to poorer visual outcomes and...