Spotlight

Authorities Warn of New Street Drugs

Authorities Warn of New Street Drugs

Three new street drugs are appearing in communities across the U.S. and authorities are alerting the public. Crack Cocaine & Meth In Rio Grande, the Police Department is warning about a street drug cocktail, which is a mix of crack cocaine and methamphetamine. Dealers are selling it as regular crack cocaine, which carries a low … Read More

2020 DOT Random Testing Rates Notice

ODAPC’s web site has been updated to reflect the CY 2020 random drug and alcohol testing rates. You can also view the CY 2020 random testing rates in the attached document. 2020_DOT_Random_Testing_Rates_Notice

Tips for Fighting Holiday Depression

As the holidays approach and another year comes to an end, many enter a period of reflection. Reflection can offer an opportunity to revel in the events of the year, or it can cause us to be consumed with self-doubt and regret. Fortunately, the challenges that come with managing depression during the holidays are not … Read More

World Mental Health Day 2019: Focus on Suicide Prevention

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. Join us in raising awareness of suicide, the impact it has on people around the world and the role each of us can play to help prevent it. One of the major causes of suicide is mental illness, which … Read More

Marijuana with car keys

Statistics Around Medical Cannabis Users Operating Vehicles

According to a new survey of medical cannabis users in Michigan, more than half of the 790 respondents said they’ve driven under the influence of cannabis within two hours of using it at least once in the last six months. Driving under the influence of marijuana can be risky due to delayed reaction time and … Read More

Random Testing Rates for 2019

“In the fourth quarter, US Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies and the Coast Guard publish their annual minimum drug and alcohol random testing rates for the next year. Federal employers must comply with any changes to the random rates beginning on January 1. However, changes in random drug test positivity rates are a bit more … Read More

Transit Industry Random Drug Testing Rate to Increase January 1, 2019

On October 17, 2018, the Federal Transit Administration issued a “Dear Colleague” letter announcing that effective January 1, 2019, the minimum rate of random drug testing will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent of covered employees for employers subject to FTA’s drug and alcohol regulation. This change is due to an increase in the industry’s … Read More

Rural Americans and the Opioid Epidemic

Rural Americans and the Opioid Epidemic

According to an October 2018 poll from NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, rural Americans are highly concerned about the opioid crisis–even more-so than with economic concerns. A staggering 25% of the national rural community felt that the biggest problem affecting them is drug addiction and abuse, while … Read More

Part 40 Rule Summary of Changes

Part 40 Rule Summary of Changes

Effective January 1, 2018, the United States Department of Transportation is implementing some changes to its drug testing program regulation by adding and amending some of the drugs used in its drug-testing panel, clarifying some of the provisions already in use, and removing the requirement for employers and Consortiums/TPAs to submit blind specimens. Employees can … Read More

America’s Opioid Crisis

America’s Opioid Crisis

The United States is in the midst of a public health crisis. Opioid abuse is currently one of America’s top health epidemics, taking mothers, fathers and children, destroying lives and breaking up families. In fact, it is the 2nd highest killer of young people. This serious epidemic must be addressed in our homes and workplaces. … Read More

Employee Protections in the Era of Medical Marijuana Legislation

More than twenty states have enacted medical marijuana laws since proposition 215 was passed by California voters in 1996. The earliest medical marijuana laws typically only provided criminal protections, however in the past two decades, laws are now extending protections to housing, schooling, domestic relations, and employment. State marijuana regulations uniquely address aspects such as … Read More