Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
New tools needed to diagnose and treat fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a group of conditions affecting the brain and body after an individual becomes prenatally exposed to alcohol. Currently, the prevalence of FASD among Canadian children and youth is 1 per 1000 (0.1%), though the prevalence is...
Winnipeg getting positive feedback about decriminalization
In a notice of motion introduced by two Winnipeg city councillors, Sherri Rollins and Markus Chambers, the city's chief administrative officer (CAO) has been requested to work with the federal government on receiving an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and...
Alberta’s top court dismisses challenge of ID requirement at supervised drug use sites
With a ruling that came into force on February 1, the Alberta Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal from harm reduction advocates to suspend a provincial policy that requires individuals who want to use the services of supervised drug use sites to provide their...
Opinion: A new approach to end the opioid crisis
A recent opinion article published by the Ottawa Sun discussed a novel approach to end the ongoing opioid crisis in Canada. The article’s authors, Natasha Touesnard, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs, Dr. Christy Sutherland, a...
Study: Driving and cannabis
THC is now being detected in twice as many injured drivers since the legalization of cannabis in 2018, according to the results of a UBC research published in January in the New England Journal of Medicine. These findings may indicate that increasing numbers of...
Benzodiazepines are now ‘a major problem’ in illicit drug supply
Across Canada, provincial health experts and authorities have expressed concerns due to the growing incidence of detection of benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply. According to the findings of a report released by the BC Coroners Service, the detection of...
Yukon to declare substance use emergency
According to Yukon’s Health Minister, the Hon. Tracy-Anne McPhee, the Yukon government plans to declare a substance use emergency. CBC interviewed McPhee in January and reported that McPhee made the recommendation during a meeting held with leaders earlier in the...
Regina finds alcohol, fentanyl and methamphetamine on the roads
Despite the legalization of cannabis, the leading causes of impaired driving in Regina are currently alcohol, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, said Const. Jon Turner a drug recognition expert instructor and a standard field sobriety instructor with the Regina Police...
Quebec harm reduction programs await promised funding
Quebec organizations working to reduce drug-related harms are still awaiting funding promised by the province as they are struggling to maintain services. Specifically, the Groupe de recherche et d'intervention psychosociale (GRIP) in Montreal has been waiting on...