DRUG TESTING: Positive Rates Nearly Double

The pandemic has challenged workplace safety. With widespread opioid addiction and amphetamine use already on the rise prior to the pandemic, employers are now seeing increased test positivity rates. The pandemic exacerbated conditions that lead people to self-medicate to help cope with the emotions that come along with unemployment, financial and health hardships, and lock-downs. Some individuals refrained from seeking treatment out of fear of contracting the virus or faced closed or limited hours at treatment facilities.

During other historic catastrophes with widespread stress, such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11, studies showed that drug abuse increased and stayed significantly elevated for long periods after the incident. Similar trends occurred during the initial months of COVID-19 and the higher positivity rates continue to linger.

When analyzing drug testing positivity rates from DISA Global Solutions, a national third-party administrator, random drug testing positivity rates spiked as much as 145% year over year during the pandemic. Opioids and amphetamines saw increases of 600% and 400% respectively. Overall, all random drug testing positivity rates are up 83% from 2019 - 2020.

By the end of 2020, positivity rates stated to return toward historical averages but still remain higher than at an y time in 2019. While positivity rates for opoiiids and amphetamines have decreased from record-breaking peaks, they are still up 491% and 292% respectively from 18 months ago.

As a result of this pandemic, both amphetamines and opioids have surpassed cocaine in random drug testing positivity rates which is the first time DISA has see that occur. Cocaine use continues to drop as users turn to amphetamines instead, but the decrease in cocaine positivity rates is a fraction of of new amphetamine and opioid positive tests Additionally, marijuana was not the number one cause of failed fandom drug testing in 2020. Amphetamines are now seeing more positive tests than even marijuana during COVID-19.

CONTINUED SAFETY…

As vaccinations become more available, its essential that employers implement drug testing procedures prior to rebuilding their staff or returning employees to the workplace. Not only is pre-employment testing important in choosing a reliable hire, but drug testing before employees return to work following a furlough or layoff are also instrumental in maintaining a safe workplace. Across all industries, the average employees with an untreated substance abuse disorder costs their $7,000 per year in excess health-care expenses, absenteeism, and turnover. In safety sensitive industries, this amount is closer to $35,000 due to the higher risk of injury or facility downtime.

To enable companies to resume testing, collection sites have enforced new guidelines and safety measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Some of those measures include waiting in the car, enhanced cleaning, mask/glove protocols, and enhanced social distancing.

HOW CAN EMPLOYERS PREPARE?
As Substance abuse is expected to continue at elevated levels, employers can protect their workplace by enforcing a clear and concise written drug testing policy. Implementing a comprehenisive drug testing program witht the addition of hair testing will create a longer 90-day detection window. Urninalysis testing will detect recent drug usage.

In addition, supervisors and other appropriate employees should be trained to help detect and implement proper reasonable-suspicion drug testing practices. With amphetamine and opioid use on the rise, and marijuana laws varying state to state, employers should also consider including a medical disclosure policy as part of their standard drug testing program. A medical disclosure policy lets employers know when an employee is taking a prescription that could impair them in the workplace.

These policies should define clear consequences and outline which safety-sensitive positions they apply to, such as a forklift driver, if the employee tests positive. Suppose an employee fails to notify the employer of their prescription. In that case, the employer can take action on a drug test even if the employee has a prescription because they violated company policy. It’s standard practice to readdress company drug testing policy and procedures and make updates to include changes to state laws and regulations. It is even more important to do so as industries prepare for employees returning to work.

AUTHOR: Tarrah Martinez, Content Writer DISA Global Solutions, taken from Business Magazine MAY 2021

Suicide Awareness

Suicide is not easy to discuss. It Sometimes we avoid it, thinking, “that could never be me”, or, “I would never do that.” I often hear the stigmatizing opinions that suicide is “a sin” or “selfish.”

          Of course, everyone has the right to their opinion, however I do not believe that attempting to make someone feel bad for having suicidal thoughts is necessarily ethical. I propose that we instead attempt to understand why they are feeling this way, and instead of scolding them for feeling that way, we offer them an outlet - whether this is treatment or just someone to talk to.

          As both a psychology major and an intern in the field of substance use, I have learned throughout my college years that suicidal thoughts do not discriminate. I have met people of all ages, genders, races, religions, and socio- economic statuses who have disclosed that they experience suicidal thoughts. I have lost multiple good friends to suicide. I have learned that grieving is not easy, and that losing a friend is even harder.

          Attempting to understand suicide is not necessarily an easy task to do either. The severity and intensity of emotions that are involved can be overwhelming, and it is difficult to comprehend why loved ones would want to hurt themselves.

          Looking at it through their lens however, I can understand that they did not want to hurt anymore. I can understand feeling so low and not knowing what else to do about it. I can understand not wanting to talk about it in such a stigmatizing society. I can understand being sick and tired of feeling like that. I can understand being scared. I can understand that the pain that they were feeling at that moment exceeded the love that they had for living.

          Changing the way we think about suicide can change the way that people talk about suicide. Instead of presenting stigma and judgement when talking about it, we should instead present understanding and compassion.

          So yes, although you might not personally be experiencing suicidal thoughts, there is no way to guarantee that a friend, family member, or any other loved one is also not experiencing suicidal thoughts. Suicide is more preventable by advocating and by being resourceful, than it is calling it “a sin” or “a selfish act” in attempt to prevent it.

Substance Use In College

It is no secret college kids are exposed to various drugs and alcohol. Reflecting on my time in college, I can recall some of the numerous substances that I would see at parties/ social gatherings; uppers, downers, and all arounders.

Today, many kids in college expect to have a drink in hand nearly every night. I have found that college kids will look for any reason to engage in substance use, perhaps the most basic one being simply that the weather is nice. For many young adults, this is habitual behavior in college, with no intention to continue this behavior after. And yes, many cease their repetitive drug/alcohol use by the end of or after college, but for some young adults, stopping or reducing use is far more difficult. This college “norm” of constant drug/ alcohol use creates a lot of confusion and raises the question, “when is it too much?”

This is where it is important to recognize the difference between drug use, and drug abuse. Just because some people do drugs or drink alcohol does not mean that they have a substance use disorder. When someone cracks open a beer after class or work, has a cigarette after dinner or on a work break, or occasionally meets a couple friends at the bar for a few drinks; this is substance use. Substance abuse on the other hand, is a pattern of drinking or drug use that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. In the end, it is substance abuse that leads to an individual having a substance use disorder. Something I have learned from personal experience is that it is especially important to keep an eye out to those who aren’t doing well mentally, but engage in substance use. This is because they could be using substances as an attempt to distract them from their negative feelings, when in reality, specific drugs (such as alcohol, which is a depressant) can make matters much worse by bringing negative feelings to the surface.

In the end, even if you are a college student and it is seemingly normal for everyone to be drinking and/ or smoking every day, make sure you keep an eye on that friend who seems to like partying a little bit too much, or the friend who is engaging in substance use as the line between substance use and substance abuse can be a bit blurry during the college years. If you or a friend is seeking substance use treatment, call 211 and ask to speak to the Doorway, or visit their website at https://thedoorway.nh.gov/home.