A video titled, Teens Drinking Bleach to Pass Drug Tests has been posted on CCN.com, illustrating how some teens are going to far lengths by drinking bleach to pass drug tests, often damaging their bodies.

Kentucky is taking a pro-active approach in hopes of putting an end to the large rise in meth-lab cases, up 20% this year from 2010. 

The state is considering implementing a law that would require citizens to have a prescription for any cold medicine products containing Pseudophedrine, the main ingredient in methamphetamines.  However, “manufacturers of cold medicines are urging legislators in the state to instead ban people who have been convicted of methamphetamine-related crimes from purchasing the drugs.”

Though some feel this would be a huge step in the right direction towards the dissolution of meth labs in the state, others feel that it would be pointless.  Dan Smoot who works for UNITE – a drug task force in southeastern Kentucky - feels the people who are buying these products are not directly in charge of a lab.  Individuals who operate these meth labs hire people (with no criminal records) to purchase the ingredients.  They are often referred to as “smurfs.”

While nothing has been implemented just yet, it will be interesting to see if the Commonweath succeeds in their venture. Twenty other states have considered adopting this same law but none have passed it.

Information for this article obtained from Join Together.

Full Article Here

The DEA announced October 21st that the chemicals used in bath salts are now under federal control and regulation.

Click here for full article

Takata and Trutouch are joining forces to “develop a device that uses an infrared sensor to determine a driver’s blood alcohol level,” based on a report from the Detroit Free Press.  This project has been made possible thanks to the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety who issued a grant of $2.25 million. 

This  product will differ from  current alcohol ignition interlocks systems (installed in vehicles of convicted drunk drivers), because it will not require a breath sample and will potentially be installed in all new vehicles.  The main goal is to streamline the current model the team has right now and make certain modifications, allowing for a more efficient and less invasive design.

The obvious goal is to prevent people from getting into their vehicles and driving while intoxicated.  Ideally, this would prevent  8,000 deaths or so annually, which could be avoided if drivers had access to these devices. 

The article states they are hoping to launch the final product in 8-10 years.

CIGNA and The Partnership at Drugfree.org are hosting a monthly series of telephone seminars that will help you better understand today’s changing landscape of substance abuse. The seminars are free and there is no registration required. They’re open to any parent, caregiver or loved one interested in learning more about teen drug addiction. Each seminar will include the participation of a leading expert within the field and a parent from The Partnership at Drugfree.org’s Parent Advisory Board, who will share his or her personal experience with the topic being presented.

WHAT:

What do you do if you think or know your child is using drugs or alcohol? This month’s podcast and Q&A will help you identify what signs to look for in your teen and prepare you with action steps to intervene and help prevent more serious problems in the future.

WHO:

Fred Muench, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Research, The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Lorraine McNeill-Popper, mother and Parent Advisory Board Member of The Partnership at Drugfree.org, who lost her twin brother to substance abuse. She adopted her deceased brother’s son who later on struggled with addiction, and currently is in recovery.

WHEN:

Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Noon- 1:00 pm EDT

HOW:

For U.S./Canada residents, dial the toll-free number 1 (866) 431-5314 and international residents dial the toll-free number 1 (719) 457-2626. When prompted, enter the passcode 602873.

About Cigna
Cigna (NYSE: CI) is a global health service and financial company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. Cigna Corporation’s operating subsidiaries in the United States provide an integrated suite of health services, such as medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, as well as group life, accident and disability insurance. Cigna offers products and services in 30 countries and jurisdictions and has approximately 66 million customer relationships throughout the world. All products and services are provided exclusively by such operating subsidiaries and not by Cigna Corporation. Such operating subsidiaries include Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York, and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. To learn more about Cigna, visit www.cigna.com.

Content derived from drugfree.org.

October 29th marks the third annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, which allows people to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted medications for safe disposal. 

Since the abuse of prescription medications is an issue of growing concern, this is a perfect opportunity for communities to come together and take a stand in discarding old medicines for their own health and for those that could potentially abuse the substances.

Points of Contact here listed by state.

Save the date and start cleaning out your medicine cabinet!

The FMCSA has fined American Welding and Tank Company $4 million dollars after discovering  they were in violation of Federal Hazardous Materials Safety Standards.

Full article

There is a new product on the market that is causing a stir in the Buffalo area.  Parents and Officials: Beware of Pothead Ring Pops and Pothead Lollipops!  Stores across the country are filling up their shelves with this kid-friendly candy and online retailers are posting the product on their websites.  

According to the article in the NY Daily News, “the sour apple-flavored candy contains nothing illegal, but with its marijuana leaf, the word “Legalize” and a joint-smoking, peace sign-waving user on the packaging, critics say it’s not only in poor taste but an invitation to try the real thing.”  Andrew Kalan, President of the company, claims that his product is selling succesfully and the reaction by the Buffalo community is the first complaint he has heard so far. 

Parents and officals in the area do not want to pretend that the product or what it represents is acceptable.  Some council members are even refusing to grant some stores the licences to sell the merchandise.

Full article here.

The New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Association is hosting a Street Drugs and Trends class on November 15th.  This 6 hour event will be focused on the latest designer drugs, legal issues associated with these substances, trends in use and distribution, and other relative concerns. 

Click here to read more about the presenter and sign up today!

Have you taken a look at your employee driver files recently?   Missing any files?  Not sure what you need to keep and what to discard? If your records are looking a bit dusty and untouched, now is a great time to make sure all your documents  are available and in order for auditing purposes.  Let’s visit 49 CFR Part 40.333 to discuss What Records Must Employers Keep to meet the requirements of the Federal Regulations…

5 years

• Records of alcohol test results indicating an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater
• Records of verified positive drug test results
• Documentation of refusals to take required alcohol and/or drug tests (including substituted or adulterated drug test results
• SAP reports
• All Follow-up tests and schedules for follow-up tests

3 Years

• Information obtained from previous employers under 40.25 concerning drug and alcohol test results of employees

2 years

• Records of the inspection maintenance, and calibration of EBT’s

1 year

• Records of negative and cancelled drug test results and alcohol test results with a concentration of less than 0.02