Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Safe drug supply not enough for addicts
Despite the new provincial guidelines issued in March that allowed physicians more freedom to prescribe opiates and other substances to individuals struggling with addiction, drug testers in B.C. have been reporting higher concentrations of fentanyl and tranquilizes...
U.S. health experts advise men limit drinking
According to a federal committee’s recommendations for new U.S. dietary guidelines, men should cap their alcohol consumption at one drink per day. This represents a reduction from the current recommended limit of two drinks per day, matching it to the number of drinks...
Medicine Hat to open 1 of 5 new drug treatment courts in Alberta
Alberta Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer, revealed in early August that the government plans to open a drug treatment court in Medicine Hat with the goal of reducing crime by providing treatment to individuals struggling with addiction. A drug treatment court provides...
Federal Custody and Control Form Updated
The Custody and Control Form (CCF), is the chain of custody form that is used by collectors when obtaining a specimen to send to the laboratory for testing. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services...
Canadian government takes a step to decriminalize drug possession
Earlier in August, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) released new guidelines, the PPSC Deskbook, for prosecuting the illegal possession of controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. As part of the new guidelines, federal...
NFL delays drug testing due to COVID-19
The NFL Players Association had announced to all players that the window for annual drug testing was moved to the period of August 7-17 due to the inability of the league to complete the collection process. According to the association, the drug testing procedures...
Kamloops cocaine dealer avoids jail term after years on the run
A former Kamloops cocaine dealer, Daniel Colligan, who spent years on the run from the police before being arrested in Edmonton two years ago will not serve jail time, as per the decision of the B.C. Supreme Court Justice Len Marchand. In 2011, Colligan, 34, was...
Yukon harm reduction experts call for introduction of safe drug sites
In recent weeks, the Yukon government has announced a sharp increase in opioid-related deaths. So far in 2020, a total of 13 people have died from drug overdoses, which is double the total number of deaths recorded in previous years. Moreover, 8 of the 13 deaths were...
Court of appeal critical of undue hardship assessment
The Court of Appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador has recently overturned a decision of the lower court, which had upheld an arbitration award on judicial review. Consequently, three separate reasons were issued by the Court of Appeal addressing undue hardship limits...