Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Minority and independent truckers challenge hair testing for drugs
Eleven major trucking companies filed an exemption in August requesting that the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require that hair test results used for drug screening of drivers by these companies be reported in the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol...
Western provinces considering implementing more harm reduction drug testing programs
Amid the opioid crisis which is hitting our country, western provinces have witnessed a record number of overdose deaths linked to toxic drug supply. According to data released by the federal government, during the first two years of the pandemic, there was a 91%...
Canadian government launches legislative review of the Cannabis Act
In September, the Canadian federal government announced it would be launching a review of the Cannabis Act to examine whether the legislation governing the legalization of cannabis is meeting Canadians' needs and expectations. "Through this useful, inclusive and...
Benzodiazepines detected in 55 fatal overdoses in B.C. in July
According to recent data released by the B.C. Coroners Service, benzodiazepines have been increasingly detected in B.C.'s illicit drug supply, and have been found in 55 of the 192 fatal overdoses in July. Furthermore, it was found that the detection rate incidence of...
Ontario court rejects random testing of Ottawa airport firefighters
The Ontario Divisional Court has rejected the plan proposed by the Ottawa airport to carry out random drug tests on its firefighters due to the lack of evidence that there is a substance-abuse problem that would warrant such a “highly intrusive” invasion of privacy....
NTSB recommends equipping all new vehicles with blood alcohol monitoring systems
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended for all new vehicles in the U.S. to become equipped with blood alcohol monitoring systems that can stop an intoxicated person from driving. The initiative was launched after the release of a report...
No more than 2 drinks per week say new alcohol guidelines
Newly proposed Canadian guidelines for alcohol consumption recommend a maximum of two drinks per week to reduce the risk of negative health consequences. According to a new report published by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) after two years...
More data needed on drug-impaired driving: CSAM report
According to the findings of a new report released by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, more data is needed about drug-impaired driving. Specifically, the report states that medical examiners and police do not provide enough information for policy...
DOT proposes using electronic forms for drug and alcohol testing
Earlier this year, the U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) requested public comment on a proposed rule that would allow the use of electronic forms and signatures for drug and alcohol testing. In its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) published in the...