Quest Diagnostics launched its annual Drug Testing IndexTM in Might.(1,2) It revealed that the American workforce had the highest positivity price for illicit medicine previously 12 years. Cocaine continued its upward development for the fourth consecutive yr. Marijuana positivity elevated dramatically with notable will increase in Colorado and Washington, each states which have legalized marijuana. Amphetamines (which incorporates amphetamine and methamphetamine) positivity continued its year-over-year upward development, growing greater than eight p.c, with heroin positivity growing an astounding 147% during the last 5 years.
These medicine (marijuana, amphetamine and heroin) are included in ExamOne’s full drug display screen on the insurance coverage panel and might help establish these candidates in danger for drug abuse. ExamOne’s marijuana positivity price has elevated from 3% to over 5% within the final 3 years.
Moreover, prescription opiate positivity charges—together with hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone—proceed to gasoline the opioid disaster. The ExamOne expanded opioid panel assessments for these prescription opiates.
Deaths because of a drug overdose from each drug abuse and analgesic/opioid abuse have been on the rise from 2000-2014(3). The demise price improve since 2000 is 137% for drug abuse overdoses and 200% for opioid drug overdoses. This improve in overdose deaths was obvious in each genders in addition to throughout a number of age teams.
Urine laboratory testing continues to be the gold customary to detect drug testing within the basic and insurance coverage inhabitants. Using a historic prescription historical past (ScriptCheck) will also be instrumental in detecting insurance coverage candidates on persistent opioid medicines.
In case you have any extra questions concerning medicine of abuse, please contact your Strategic Account Government.
References:
(1) Weber, L. Extra American Staff Are Testing Optimistic for medicine. The Wall Road Journal. Might 16, 2017. https://www.wsj.com/articles/more-american-workers-are-testing-positive-for-drugs-1494928980. Accessed June 1, 2017.
(2) Will increase in Illicit Medication, Together with Cocaine, Drive Workforce Drug Positivity to Highest Fee in 12. Quest Diagnostics web site. QuestDiagnostics.com/DTI
Printed Might 16, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2017.
(3)Rudd,RA; et al. Will increase in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths—United States, 2000-2014; CDC:MMWR January 1, 2016/64(50);1378–1382