News

Health and safety agencies in Iowa have issued an advisory to warn Iowans of counterfeit pain pills containing dangerous synthetic opioids. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s (DCI) laboratory analyzed pills made to resemble the prescription pain reliever oxycodone, finding them to contain more powerful and illicit synthetic opioids fentanyl and U-47700, putting users at higher risk of opioid overdose.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration unveiled two new data reports on the state of quality assurance practices related to the workforce in substance abuse and mental health treatment facilities. The quality assurance practices include continuing education requirements for staff, regularly scheduled case review with a supervisor, and case review by an appointed quality review committee.

This year marks SAPAA’s 25th anniversary.

It's being called "gray death" — a new and dangerous opioid combo that underscores the ever-changing nature of the U.S. addiction crisis.

In 2008, a research paper published by a psychology professor and two undergraduate students at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., found that 10% of Harry Potter fans surveyed reported showing characteristics of addiction after the final book in the popular series was released.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) continues its efforts to raise public awareness so that all drivers know how to operate safely around large trucks and buses through a newly formed partnership under the Our Roads, Our Safety campaign.

Drug-impaired driving is an increasingly critical issue for states and state highway safety offices. In 2015, the most recent year for which data are available, NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reported that drugs were present in 43% of the fatally-injured drivers with a known test result, more frequently than alcohol was present (FARS, 2016). NHTSA’s 2013–2014 roadside survey found drugs in 22% of all drivers both on weekend nights and on weekday days (Berning et al., 2015). In particular, marijuana use is increasing.

ASAP has released a 3rd course in its Survey of Psychoactive Drugs series. This one addresses opioids and is written by Reed Morrison, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and our CEO.  Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illicit drug heroin as well as the legally prescribed pain relievers oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and others. They act on opioid neuroreceptors in the brain to produce pleasure and relieve pain. They are also dangerously addictive.

Mark your calendars! SAMHSA’s next National Prevention Week will be from May 14 to 20, 2017. Each year around this observance, communities and organizations across the country come together to raise awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health. The theme for NPW 2017 is: Making Each Day Count. Learn More

ASAP will be joining industry professionals from all over the world on May 16-18 in Orlando, FL. We would like to hear about how we can help YOU. So stop by Booth #500 as we celebrate our 20th anniversary at ASAP. Learn More

With more states legalizing marijuana and record numbers of people dying from drug overdoses, concerns about drug-impaired driving are escalating. While we have made progress in combatting drunk driving in recent decades, drug use by drivers continues to rise. In fact, in 2015 (the most recent national data available) drugs were present in 43% of the fatally-injured drivers with known test results, appearing more frequently than alcohol. Learn More

ASAP is going to the AAOHN 2017 National Conference. Hope to see you on April 24-27 at Booth 257. We would love to tell you about what has changed and what is up and coming in the industry, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary at ASAP!  Learn More

The National Safety Council report also found that while 71 percent of employers believe that abuse of opioid prescription painkillers is a disease that requires treatment, 65 percent also consider it a justifiable reason to fire a worker. Learn More

FRA is expanding the scope of its drug and alcohol regulation to cover MOW employees. MOW employees will become subject to FRA random drug and alcohol testing on June 12, 2017 when the final rule takes effect. Learn More

China will ban the manufacture and sale of four variations of the synthetic drug fentanyl starting March 1, a move that US Drug Enforcement Administration officials call a "game-changer" for the United States' battle with manufactured opioids. Learn More

The Alliance for Driver Safety & Security (a.k.a. “Trucking Alliance”) has submitted a set of detailed comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that strongly support a petition calling for motor carriers to be exempt from having to use urinalysis to test for drug use by CDL driver applicants. Four of the six petitioners are member companies of the Trucking Alliance. Learn More

American Substance Abuse Professionals, the nation’s leading provider of Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and drug-free workplace services, is celebrating its 20th year of Saving Lives By Changing Lives. ASAP was founded in 1997 to protect public safety by helping employers and their safety-sensitive employees comply with substance use regulations and employment substance use policies.

For too many in the United States, St. Patrick's Day has ended in tragedy due to drunk drivers getting behind the wheel. Over St. Patrick's Day from 2011 to 2015, a total of 252 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes.

ASAP VP, Cathi Hyde and Marketing Manager, Lynne Leidy lobbied in Washington on February 14 on behalf of Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA), a national advocacy group that promotes research for migraine disease. The effort, called Headache on the Hill, was aimed at garnering congressional support to sponsor a bill to fund much-needed research for migraine treatment and the management of migraine-related pain.  The ASAP duo were accompanied by neurologist, Robert E. Shapiro, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in headache treatment.

America’s opioid epidemic is fueling a startling increase in cocaine-related overdose deaths in recent years, as users mix de

The Department of Transportation is proposing to amend its drug-testing program regulation to add four opioids (hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone) to its drug-testing panel; add methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) as an initial test analyte; and remove methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, (MDEA) as a confirmatory test analyte. The proposed revision of the drug-testing panel is intended to harmonize with the revised Mandatory Guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Federal drug-testing programs for urine testing.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthy choices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)  announced that the controlled substances random testing rate for regulated motor carriers will remain at 25 percent for calendar year 2017.  

Changing marijuana laws aren’t necessarily making weed more welcome in the workplace.

For now, many employers appear to be sticking with their drug testing and personal conduct policies, even in states where recreational marijuana use is now permitted. Others are keeping a close eye on the still evolving legal, regulatory and political environment. Learn More

Old habits die hard. Changing your habits is a process involving several stages. Sometimes it takes a while before changes turn into new habits. You may face challenges along the way.

But adopting new, healthier habits may protect you from serious health problems, such as diabetes. New habits may also help you look better and feel more energetic. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they may become a part of your daily routine. Learn More