The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) lowered the initial and confirmation cutoff levels for cocaine and amphetamines on October 1, 2010 . The results show a rise in positives for not only cocaine but amphetamines as well. It is tough to say if the use of these controlled substances are on the rise or are now be detected at a higher rate due to the lowering of the cutoff levels, however one thing is for sure – identifying the use of illegal drugs in the workplace is absolutley critical for safety.
The worlds leading provider of diagnostic testing showed a 33% rise in cocaine positives and an almost 26% rise in positives for amphetamines based on the 1.6 million tests performed in 2011.
Currently a Federally Mandated Five Panel drug screen consist of the following drugs:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- MDMA
- MDA
- MDEA
- Opiates
- Codeine
- Morphine
- 6-AM (heroin)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)