During 2016 and 2017, drug overdose death rates were higher in U.S. cities than rural areas, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics.

This NPRM does not change the mandatory use of the Clearinghouse, due to begin on January 6, 2020, for drivers, employers, consortia/third-party administrators (C/TPAs), medical review officers (MROs), and substance abuse professionals (SAPs).

ASAP is exhibiting at EAPA September 24-27, Booth #410. Stop by and see us. We can help answer questions about the Clearinghouse coming in January 2020.

Join the 2019 global gathering of employee assistance professionals, to be held at the magnificent and unique St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Attendees come from thirty five countries around the world. This is the most intensive and comprehensive learning and networking opportunity dedicated to the growth of the employee assistance profession. 

Tuesday September 17th-

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Aug. 14 issued a long-awaited proposal to make changes to its hours-of-service rules that would increase truck drivers’ flexibility with their 30-minute rest break and with allocating time in a sleeper berth.

Recently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued guidelines for Federal prosecutors in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of “medical marijuana.” http://www.justice.gov/opa/documents/medical-marijuana.

According to a roadside survey conducted in Washington State, 14.1% of drivers with children in the car -- nearly one in seven -- tested positive for THC, the principal psychoactive compound in marijuana. The results are published in the latest issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Naloxone is a potentially life-saving drug commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses and can be injected as a liquid or delivered as a nasal spray.

Query plans will be available for purchase on the Clearinghouse website in fall 2019.

For many employers it can be a stressful and confusing time when an employee tests positive on a DOT mandated drug or alcohol test.  Does the employer now have to “DO” anything?  Must the employee be fired?  How long will the driver be out?  Can the driver be re-hired?  The key is to precisely follow the DOT regulations in order to handle the situation correctly and maintain regulatory compliance.

To ensure you are prepared on January 6, 2020, when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse) becomes operational, we want to remind you about an upcoming change related to recording information on the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF) and Alcohol Testing Form (ATF). 

There is no denying that cannabidiol, more commonly referred to as CBD, is rapidly becoming more popular in the United States than sliced bread. It is a hot trend that got started several years ago after Dr.

An employee has a beer or two with colleagues at a local bar after the work shift is over. Another heads home for a glass of wine with dinner. The next day, there is no alcohol impairment in the worker, and that’s why an employer would not have a problem with either of these scenarios.

The U.S. DOT announced Tuesday it has increased fines across the board for violations of federal trucking regulations.

THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST drug companies flooded U.S.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s update to its Medical Examiners Handbook is a step closer to completion. The handbook serves as a guideline for physicians who use it to assess truck driver health.

 Nearly 70% of Americans think it’s unlikely a driver will get caught by police for driving while high on marijuana, according to a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey. An alarming finding shows that an estimated 14.8 million drivers report getting behind the wheel within one hour after using marijuana in the past 30 days.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is proposing allowing an applicant seeking a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to take general and specialized knowledge tests in a state other than his or her state of residence.  

Companies continue to face complex issues surrounding drugs and the workplace. Our nation’s far-reaching opioid epidemic does not exclude employees or the work environment.

Clearinghouse launched a new FAQs page with more than 50 questions and answers. The page is now searchable, by topic or user type. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for or if you have additional questions you can also email the Clearinghouse- clearinghouse@dot.gov .

On June 20, 2019 a Federal Register Notice and Request for Comments was published concerning FMCSA Agency Information Collection Activities. The Clearinghouse implementation is set for January 2020 and no data has been collected.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that when 2018 driving fatality numbers are finalized later this year, fatalities in accidents involving at least one large truck will see a 3% increase over 2017’s numbers.

 The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is accepting applications for a pilot program to permit 18-20-year-olds who possess the U.S. military equivalent of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate large trucks in interstate commerce.

Cannabis-related products have flooded the market, making health claims about pain relief, immune function and anxiety and depression. But the US Food and Drug Administration says there is little known about how effective they are.

The opioid epidemic has been fueled in part by the overprescribing of painkillers. But a new study finds that up to half of patients may not actually need the addictive pills following a surgery. The finding could be a game-changer for post-op care, said lead researcher Dr. Michael Englesbe.