As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned about whether your child is making safe decisions as they grow older, particularly when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, the concerns related to adolescent drug use are only growing, as designer and synthetic drugs become more popular and more readily available to kids and teens. These drugs, such as spice, bath salts, and others, are designed to evade drug regulations so they can be sold in stores, and they do so by continuously making slight alterations to their chemical composition. That means it can be harder to identify these drugs and their side effects and test for them with urinalysis and other types of drug tests. Here’s a closer look at some important facts to know about these drugs:

Designer drugs are always changing.

Because the formulas for various designer drugs are always changing, the nicknames for them may change as well. If you hear your child referring to spice, salts, Molly, or croc, these may be terms for designer drugs.  

Drug tests can still screen for synthetic drugs.

Though synthetic drugs do change in formula often, there are still drug tests that keep up with changing trends and test for the appropriate compounds. Of course, test availability may be limited, so you should work with a trusted drug and alcohol testing service instead of relying on store-bought testing kits.

Teens often view these drugs as less harmful.

When you do approach your teen about possible synthetic drug use, he or she may have a casual attitude regarding their drug use, because synthetic and designer drugs have a reputation for being less harmful. However, due to the inconsistent nature of these drugs, they can actually be more harmful in some ways, because they may have many unknown side effects.

For more information about family drug testing services in Tucson, connect with AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services. AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services is a national provider of drug and alcohol testing and employee background check services with offices in Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ, and we provide family testing services that you can count on. You can reach us online or at (800) 224-8532.

Providing urine samples for drug testing is required for aviation workers. These samples must include a sufficient amount of urine for testing, or so-called “shy bladder” procedures will be started by the collector. Here is a look at the process that goes into effect if an aviation worker does not provide a sufficient urine sample.

The collector will initiate a three-hour wait period.

According to Department of Transportation rules, employees have three hours to produce a urine sample if their initial sample does not contain 45 mL of urine—the amount that is typically required to perform a drug test. The collector will also suggest that the employee drink up to 40 ounces of fluid during the three-hour period in an attempt to generate enough urine for testing. Employees are not required to drink the fluid to be compliant with testing rules, but they must remain at the collection site for the three-hour wait period.

A second collection attempt will be made.

After the three-hour period, the employee must attempt to provide another urine sample. If the collection is successful, then testing will go forward as normal. If the second sample is still insufficient or if the employee refuses the test or leaves the collection center, the collector will immediately notify the DER—the Designated Employer Representative.

The employee will be advised to undergo medical testing.

The DER will tell the employee that he or she must have a medical exam within five days and produce proof of a medical condition that makes providing a urine sample impossible. If the physician makes this determination, an insufficient urine sample will not be considered a refusal to take a test. If the physician does not determine a medical cause, the insufficient sample will be considered a refusal to take a drug test. This can result in immediate removal from safety-sensitive duties. Workers can also be terminated or have their FAA certification or rating authorization revoked.

AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services is a national provider of drug & alcohol testing and employee background check services with offices in Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ. To find out how we can help you meet your requirements for employee drug screenings, please call (800) 224-8532.

PHMSA, or Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, has strict regulatory guidelines to ensure the safety of pipeline workers throughout the United States. The PHMSA falls under the category of DOT-regulatory employers, which are all seeing some changing for drug testing guidelines in 2018. The biggest change is a new testing panel that includes both prescription synthetic opioid drugs in addition to the illegal opiates already included in the panel. Here’s a closer look at these changes to help you remain in compliance as you seek PHMSA-compliant drug testing for your business.

Inclusion of Prescription Painkiller Screenings
Previously, the 5-panel drug test required by the PHMSA only tested for illicit drugs such as heroin, morphine, and codeine. However, with the rise of the prescription painkiller epidemic in the United States—which has had a particularly large impact in rural areas where pipeline workers may be more commonly employed—the opiates panel was recharacterized as opioids. This signifies an expansion in testing regulations to test for oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone, which are synthetic and semi-synthetic opioid drugs that are better known by the brand names of Vicodin, Oxycontin, Lortab, Dilauded, and Percocet. Because there is a medical basis for prescribing these drugs, however, employees may submit a legitimate medical explanation for having these substances in their systems at the time of testing.

Random Testing Modifications
Random testing is important for those involved with hazardous materials, because it helps to reduce on-the-job drug use without singling out employees or dedicating too many resources to continuously testing the entire staff. Random screens using an accepted scientifically valid selection method will need to take place for a minimum of 50% of covered employees as of January 1, 2018.

At AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services, we understand the importance of staying compliant with PHMSA and DOT regulations, not just to avoid fines and fees, but to preserve the safety of the general public. To learn more about our mobile drug testing and nationwide background checks, visit our website or give us a call at (800) 224-8532.

One of the most significant drug problems in the United States comes not from street drugs or illegal substances, but from prescription opioids. These drugs, which are commonly prescribed for pain relief are very habit forming and they are unfortunately prescribed in many cases where they may not be necessary. If you are striving to maintain a drug-free workplace, it is important to understand the prevalence of prescription opioid abuse as well as the signs to look for in your employees.

High Prescription Rates

Unfortunately, opioid drugs are prescribed readily and often, and in some cases, there are likely better pain management solutions available, such as physical therapy. Unlike these solutions, however, prescriptions do not require prior approval from insurance companies, and they do not require much face time between patients and doctors, so they are seen as an easy solution. In the United States, patients are prescribed opioid drugs much more often than counterparts in other nations, including France, Portugal, Denmark, and Germany. In addition, they are often prescribed more doses than they need, so there is a higher risk of abuse.

High Chances of Addiction

Along with the prevalence of opioid drugs for patients of all ages and backgrounds, it is important to consider the highly addictive qualities of these drugs. Opioids are habit forming, so the brain quickly gets tricked into wanting more, which not only means more frequent doses, but also higher ones.

Signs of Abuse

You should remember that anyone can suffer an opioid addiction, regardless of age, background, or gender. Because these drugs are so readily available and prescribed so often, they account for 27% of the world’s total overdose deaths in the U.S. alone. Some of the common signs of abuse to look for include chills, agitation, sweating, nausea, stomach pain, and fatigue.

When you need to design policies for a drug-free workplace of implement drug testing for your employees, AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services can help. For a look at our professional services, visit our website or call us at (800) 224-8532.