Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Time is up for old DOT Custody and Control Forms
The old DOT CCF forms expire on August 31, 2023 and are not to be used for collections anymore after that point. This means that as of that date if you are using an old DOT CCF you will be REQUIRED to send along a Memorandum for Record (MFR). If you do not send along...
Ontario premier against Toronto decriminalizing drugs
In a recent interview with Global News’ 640 Toronto hosted by Alex Pierson, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke out strongly against drug decriminalization, saying the concept is the “craziest thing I’ve ever heard.” “I will do everything I can to fight this. Again, this...
Addictions Minister says decriminalization and safe supply are saving lives in BC
Earlier in June, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett, said that early indicators demonstrate that decriminalization of small amounts of hard drugs in B.C. is helping to save lives by reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in the province. ...
UBC trials drug testing robot at music festival
Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) led by Dr. Jason Hein, have created a new, portable drug testing machine, which they tested at the Shambhala Music festival held from July 21 - July 24 near Nelson, B.C. Since current drug testing tools are...
Opioid overdose deaths reach record numbers in B.C.
Earlier in June, the BC Coroners Service reported 184 opioid overdose-related deaths, averaging approximately 6.1 deaths per day, totalling 1,200 deaths so far in 2023. Moreover, these numbers represent a 17% increase compared to the number of opioid overdose-related...
Pittsburgh recognizes reasonable suspicion training required
Pittsburg county officials were discussing drug-testing procedures during their quarterly meeting in June, held at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. Specifically, Pittsburg District 2 Commissioner Kevin Smith directed county officials not to require their employees to...
Random tests catch impaired pilots
Earlier this year, in June, Lawrence Russell, a Delta Air Lines pilot was arrested in Edinburgh, Scotland before a flight was set to take off for New York. He was accused of having alcohol over the legal blood limit in his system. While Scottish law enforcement did...
Ontario worker fired after testing positive for cannabis twice
In June, an Ontario arbitrator upheld the suspension and dismissal of an Ontario gold mine worker who failed a drug test for cannabis after a serious workplace incident and a return-to-work test. The employer, Newmont-Goldcorp Canada (NGC), hired the worker in 2007 at...
Damaged fire extinguisher deemed inappropriate reason for drug test
In a new Alberta grievance arbitration decision, Fort Mckay Logistics LP, Fort Mcmurray Division v General Teamsters, local Union No. 362, 2022 CanLII 78227, an employer’s termination of employment of an employee due to a failed drug test was overturned, since it was...