DOT Drug Testing Program Revised

Beginning on Jan. 1, federally regulated Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing programs will include detection of certain opioids as a response to the opioid crisis sweeping across the United States.

On Nov. 13, the DOT published a final rule to its drug-testing standard — 49 CFR Part 40 — which included the additions of hydrocodone*, hydromorphone**, oxymorphone***, and oxycodone**** to the testing panel. The regulation will also add methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), also known as “Sally,” as an initial test analyte, and remove methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDMA), otherwise known as “ecstacy,” as a confirmatory test analyte. DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao explained that the increased opioid testing will substantially increase roadway safety in the transportation industry.

“The opioid crisis is a threat to public safety when it involves safety-sensitive employees involved in the operation of any kind of vehicle or transport,” Chao said. “The ability to test for a broader range of opioids will advance transportation safety significantly and provide another deterrence to opioid abuse, which will better protect the public and ultimately save lives.”

(Related: Everything You Need To Know About the DOT Physical Exam)

Opioid Abuse & Its Socioeconomic Effect

In recent years, opioid abuse has created a nationwide crisis that is affecting both public health and socioeconomic welfare. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. Furthermore, the misuse of prescription opioids, mostly prescribed for chronic pain relief, costs the United States is $78.5 billion a year in healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

With the new rule, the DOT is harmonizing with the Department of Health and Human Services which revised its Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs on Jan. 23. The Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form has been revised (Click Here to View), however DOT-regulated employers and their service agents may continue to use the previous form until June 30, 2018.

To schedule your DOT physical examination, contact Worksite Medical at 1-844-622-8633, or by email at info@worksitemed.com.

*Common Hydrocodone Brands: Vicodin, Lorcet, Norco, Lortab
**Common Hydromorphone Brands: Dilaudid, Exalgo, Hydromorph Contin, Palladone
***Common Oxymorphone Brands: Opana, Opana ER, Numorphan HCI, Numorphan
****Common Oxycodone Brands: OxyContin, Percocet, Endocet
(Source: Drugs.com)