Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Edmonton sees spike in drug-impaired drivers
According to a recently released report by the Edmonton Police Commission, there has been a significant increase in the number of people arrested for driving while drug impaired, including under the influence of cannabis, between the period of October 2018 (when...
Zero tolerance of cannabis use for central Alberta bus drivers
One Alberta bus company, Prairie Lines, has banned its employees from consuming cannabis altogether, even when they are on a vacation. As part of this zero-tolerance policy on cannabis consumption, applicants for job posts with the bus line are screened for...
Gold-label races to implement out-of-competition drug testing
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has announced its decision of approval for out-of-competition drug testing for IAAF Gold Label races, which include the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, and the Ottawa...
Mail in drug testing operation opens in Vancouver
A Vancouver-based drug advocate, Dana Larsen, has offered Canadians the opportunity to mail him their street drugs to get tested for safety before use. Larsen is the director of the Vancouver Dispensary Society, and according to his website, he tests drugs seven days...
DOT contemplates hair testing
For three years now, the US federal government has been developing new guidelines for drug testing truck drivers to control drug use on the job. According to experts, it will take another three years before the new guidelines become fully established. As more states...
The truth about poppy seeds and drug testing
Although it may seem highly unlikely that eating a poppy seed muffin or a bagel with poppy seeds could make you test positive for opiates when taking a drug test if you are not a drug user, the results of scientific studies say otherwise. Commercially-available poppy...
28 days of no cannabis required for Canadian flight crews
Following the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in October 2018, Transport Canada launched a review of its policies on impairment. According to the new policy implemented by the agency, employees are forbidden from work while “under the influence of any...
Nevada becomes first state to ban pre-employment drug testing for cannabis
Starting in 2020, Nevada employers will not be able to refuse to hire a job applicant for failing a pre-employment cannabis screening test, making it the first state to pass such a law. The new law was passed on June 5th by Gov. Steve Sisolak, and states, "It is...
Industry struggles with cannabis use
In a recent interview with CBC News, Garnet Amundson, chief executive of Calgary-based Essential Energy Services, revealed his concerns around testing for cannabis in the workplace. His company provides oilfield services to oil and natural gas producers mainly in...