DOT Implements Screening for Common Rx Opiates

(Winter 2017) On January 1, 2018, the Department of Transportation (DOT) expanded its drug and alcohol testing requirements to encompass hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone and oxymorphone. Including these four potentially performance-impacting substances in testing panels will permit the DOT to identify instances in which these drugs are not being used legally and help fight the rampant opioid crisis sweeping across the country. The new rule also removes MDEA from the confirmatory testing process and nullifies the specification that employers and consortium/third-party administrators submit blind specimens.

Requiring the addition of these four drug categories reflects best-practice drug testing now recommended for all employers (including non-DOT mandated employers).

Changes to the DOT’s drug screening brings its requirements into line with updated Mandatory Guidelines written by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for federal urine testing.

See more Legal & Legislative Updates articles.