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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

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)  announced that its enforcement of federal rail safety rules has led to the highest-ever civil penalty collection rate in the agency’s 50-year history, surpassing last year’s record-breaking rate.

The first-ever Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health reviews what we know about substance misuse and how you can use that knowledge to address substance misuse and related consequences. More here

Responding to the imminent threat to public health and safety, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed U-47700 into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, effective on November 14th.  Emergency scheduling of dangerous drugs such as U-47700 on a temporary basis is one of the most significant tools DEA can utilize to address the problems associated with deadly new street drugs.  Learn More

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced a final rule that establishes a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse for commercial truck and bus drivers.  The clearinghouse database will serve as a central repository containing records of violations of FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing program by commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders. Learn More

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America's roadways due to an increase in impaired driving. Since 1981, every President of the United States has demonstrated the commitment to preventing impaired driving by proclaiming December as National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month or more recently, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Learn More

Observed every November, American Diabetes Month is an important element in the American Diabetes Association's efforts to focus our nation's attention on the disease and the tens of millions of people affected by it. Our 2016 theme is This Is Diabetes. We'll showcase real-life stories of friends, families and neighbors managing the day-to-day triumphs and challenges of the disease. Join as we salute the 29 million Americans with diabetes — as well as their loved ones — to raise awareness and to create a sense of urgency about this growing public health crisis.

Have you ever heard of K2, and Spice or Charge Plus and Hurricane Charlie? They are labels given to substances within two categories of the hundreds of synthetic drugs sold in the U.S. K2 and Spice are two of the many names used for synthetic cannabinoids sold as "herbal incense" or "potpourri." Charge Plus and Hurricane Charlie represent a sampling of the names given to synthetic cathinones sold as "bath salts" or "jewelry cleaner" according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

The opioid antagonist medication naloxone reverses respiratory depression and arrest resulting from an opioid overdose. Because it must be given promptly, often within minutes, to save a life, some jurisdictions and opioid treatment programs make naloxone readily available to anyone who might encounter a person in overdose status.

Following years of declines, the percentage of employees in the combined U.S. workforce testing positive for drugs has steadily increased over the last three years to a 10-year high, according to an analysis of nearly 11 million workforce drug test results released today by Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services.  

Nicole and Julia will be at EAPA on Oct 31-Nov 2, Booth #418. Register for the drawing, learn about what's new and don't forget to grab some ORANGE candy! Learn More

The FDA is requiring boxed warnings for nearly 400 medications, including prescription opioid painkillers (e.g., hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone), opioid-containing cough medicines, and benzodiazepines.

When used in combination, opioids and benzodiazepines are associated with risks for respiratory depression, coma, and death.

The agency's action follows a citizen petition filed in February by public health officials asking for changes to existing labels.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Read More