DOT to add four opioids for transportation worker drug testing

From Transport Topics

The U.S. Department of Transportation plans on Jan. 1 to begin testing truck drivers and other “safety-sensitive” transportation employees for the semi-synthetic opioids hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone, the agency announced Nov. 9.

“Inclusion of these four semi-synthetic opioids is intended to help address the nationwide epidemic of opioid abuse,” the announcement said. “Also, adding these four drugs, which are already tested for in many transportation employers’ non-DOT testing programs because of their widespread use and potentially impairing effect, will allow the DOT to detect a broader range of drugs being used illegally. Transportation industries are not immune to this trend and the safety issues it raises.”

The DOT said it is adding the drug panel to urine testing not only for consistency with the Department of Health and Human Services mandatory guidelines but “as a response to a national problem that can affect transportation safety.”

The agency also said it also is adding methylenedioxyamphetamine as an initial test analyte, but removing the drug as a confirmatory test analyte.

“This final rule clarifies certain existing drug-testing program provisions and definitions, makes technical amendments and removes the requirement for employers and consortium/third-party administrators to submit blind specimens,” the DOT announcement said.

See the full story from Transport Topics online.

Note from MTAC: MTAC’s vendor partner Fleet Screen administers our DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing consortium. They are already prepared to handle these new requirements. Contact the MTAC office if you need information about how to enroll in our drug and alcohol testing consortium which is administered by Fleet Screen.