Regulation Update Newsletters

Sign up for email updates on this topic.

Enter a keyword in the text box below to search all content within the Drug & Alcohol:

Note: Click any column header to sort by topic.

Issue	Date	Issue Table of Contents
51		Collection Sites May Be Visited by "Undercover" Inspectors Immediate Means Immediate National Focus on Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic When EBTs Fail to Print Confirmation Tests Drug and Alcohol Training Schedule Transit Safety Institute (TSI) Training Schedule Marijuana Class I Appeal Rejected By Federal Court, Still Dangerous With No Accepted Medical Use Notification Forms: Accuracy is Key Reviewing Collector Credentials? How to Revise a Submitted Annual MIS Report Post-Accident Flow Chart Why File Management is Critical to Compliance Providing Modal Authority for the CCF FTA Supports Reasonable Suspicion Testing Do Not Double Report MIS Testing Results Best Practice: Provide Updated DER Information Before Each Collection Employers: Save Copies of Your MIS Submissions for Your Records!
50		Random Selections Needed Prior to Beginning of Testing Period DAMIS Packages Mailed in December Random Testing Rates for 2013 Transmission of "non-negative" results Drug and Alcohol Training Schedule Transit Safety Institute (TSI) Training Schedule When Is a Self-Referral Too Late? Report Provides Disturbing Insight into Rx Misuse Pass-Through Agencies May Not Be Required to Have Policy How to Find a Qualified MRO and SAP What Happens When You Have a Re-Collect Negative Dilute Dissemination of Pre-Employment Positives Are Employees of Armored Car Guards Performing a Safety-Sensitive Function? 2011 Positive Rate Climbs to 0.85 Percent Daylight Savings Time: Make Sure Clocks were Changed! Federal Register Final Rule
49	2012, Summer	Popular EBTs Removed from Conforming Products List The "Drug-Before-Alcohol" Problem in Testing Reclassified Tests Should Be Reported Ten Most Common Prescription Medications Used By Transit Employees What to Do When Your Collection Site Is Unable or Unwilling to Do It Right Cab Companies: Best Practices for Oversight Reasonable Suspicion Testing: Impairment vs. Diagnosis Weekend and Off-Hours Testing Consistency Is Critical U.S. DOT's Stance on Medical Marijuana How to Update Your Contractor List for Annual MIS Reporting
48	2012, Spring	90-Day Pre-Employment vs. Return-to-Duty When is "No" a "Test Refusal"? What Does It Mean to "Refuse a Urine Test?" Sixty-Minute Training Lacking New Ways Prohibited Drug Users Are Fooling Collectors ODAPC Issues Strong Reminder of Regulatory Requirement K2/Spice: Education is the Key DOT Unveils Mock-Collection Video Second Chance vs. Zero Tolerance 7th Annual Conference Another Success! Drug and Alcohol Training Schedule Semi-Annual Statistical Summary from the Laboratory Correcting your DAMIS Submission Until August DTAB Recommendations Have No Immediate Impact on DOT Drug Testing Programs When is a Vehicle in "Operation"? What is an "Accident"? The Status of Drug and Alcohol Management Information System (DAMIS) 2011 Reporting
47	2011, Winter	7th Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference in Miami Five Practices Mistaken for Regulations Automatic Sinks and Toilets Pose Challenge DAMIS Annual Reports due March 15th New Questions in the DAPM Questionnaire MRO Must Maintain Originals of CCFs Ensuring a Truly Random Testing Program Random Testing for Small Transit Systems Six Changes That Will Immediately Improve Your Drug and Alcohol Program CHANTIX Use Poses Safety Risk for Transportation Professionals Drug and Alcohol Training Testing Following Self-Referral under Employer Authority Specimen Collection Quality Assurance Procedures
46	2011, Fall	New CCF Must Be Used 7th Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference 2011 National Drug Control Strategy Released MROs Must Follow Procedures to Report Test Results Preparing for an Audit Remember to Meet Record Retention Requirements Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx & OTC Medications - Epidemic: Responding to America's Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis Technical Assistance
45	2011, Summer	Drug Testing Integrity Act of 2011 (HR 707) 6th Annual Conference A Success MIS Report Submissions Submitted On Time Testing Authority Must be Indicated Collector Training Found Lacking FTA Issues 2011 Rx/OTC Medication Toolkit Working Group Reviews FTA Rx/OTC Medication Study Medicaid Contractors Not Covered by FTA Indiana Requires Medical Qualification Program and Rx/OTC Medication Policy for All Section 5311 Transit Systems Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx & OTC Medications - Pill Mills Technical Assistance
44	2011, Winter	Survey Data Shows Drug Use Increasing 6th Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference Random Test Rates Remain the Same for 2011 6-AM Test Procedure Clarified Correcting CCFs and ATFs Discontinue Use of Old ATFs MIS Reports due March 15, 2011 Ferryboat Operators Must Submit MIS Reports to FTA Livingston Essential Transportation Service (L.E.T.S.) Emphasizes Safety in its Rx/OTC Medication Use Policy MBTA Addresses Rx/OTC Medications as Part of Maintaining a Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx & OTC Medications - Synthetic Marijuana Incense or Drug Technical Assistance
43	2010, Fall	New Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form Conference Scheduled for April 5-7, 2011 MRO Requalification Training Requirements Clarified Time to Use Old ATFs is Running Out Employer Requirements Added to Part 40 Employers Should Include Ecstasy in Employee Training Employers Should Review CCF for Accuracy Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx and OTC Medications - Drug Interactions: Take Multiple Rx/OTC Medications with Caution Technical Assistance Materials
42	2010, Summer	Proposed Rule Becomes Final 6th Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference Definitions Modified and Added Pre-Employment Drug Test Should Occur Before Medical Exam Date For New ATF Extended IITFs Will Not Be Allowed Random Test Results Remain Stable Confusion Over Volunteers Clarified Senate Bill Promises to Give FTA Civil Penalty Authority Clandestine Collections Reveal Problems At Collection Sites Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings - Delaying Screen Test to Allow Mouth Alcohol to Dissipate Not Allowed Rx and OTC Medications - Driving and Diabetes Technical Assistance Materials
41	2010, Spring	DOT Publishes Notice of Proposed Rulemaking DOT Makes Interim Regulatory Changes Final 5th Annual Conference Best Yet! Public Interest Exclusion Enforced FTA Researches Impact of Benzodiazepines on Driving Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings - Training Rx and OTC Medications - Muscle Relaxants-Use with Caution Technical Assistance Materials
40	2009, Fall	Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference to be Held in March Direct Observation for Return-to-Duty & Follow-up Testing Clarified Medical Use of Marijuana Remains a Violation of DOT's Regulation FTA Post-Accident Threshold Still Misunderstood How to Update your List of Contractors for MIS Reporting Random Survey of Accidents Underway Majority of Transit Systems Have Rx/OTC Policy Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings - Previous Employer Record Requests Rx and OTC Medications - Adderall Use Increasing Among Safety-Sensitive Employees DOT Updates Technical Assistance Materials
39	2009, Spring	Court Rules - Direct Observation Rule Stands as Written MRO Procedures Clarified 4th Annual Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference Biggest Yet ODAPC Names New Senior Policy Advisor Random Selection Methods Makers of "Whizzinator" Plead Guilty in Federal Court Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx and OTC Medications DOT's 10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity Video Free Training Available
38	2009, Winter	Direct Observation for Return-to-Duty and Follow-up Testing On Hold Random Rates Remain Same for 2009 FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference in Nashville 2008 MIS Reports Swart Named Director of ODAPC Rx/OTC Medication Research Underway-Transit Systems Requested to Complete Questionnaire Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx and OTC Medications DOT's Direct Observation Procedures Available Online Forty HHS Certified Labs Remain
37	2008, Summer	Final Rule Makes Validity Testing Mandatory Required and Recommended Policy Modifications 42 HHS Certified Labs Conduct Validity Testing Specimen Collectors Have Increased Responsibility Additional Instructions for MROs Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Prescription Sedatives and Tranquilizers Prescription Pain Relievers
36	2008, Spring	IFR Authorizes Release of Information When Required by State Law MIS Report Late Notices Out Soon Conference Presentations Available Pre-employment Test Refusals Clarified for Collectors Fluids Must be Monitored During Waiting Period Detailed Test Result Data Available Detailed Drug and Alcohol Test Results (2005) Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Rx/OTC Use and the Older Transit Driver Chantix: A Safety Risk Revised Best Practices Manual Available
35	2008, Winter	Register Now for the 3rd Annual FTA D&A Program National Conference Random Testing Rates Remain the Same for 2008 MIS Reporting Process Unchanged Collection Site Scrutiny Continues List of EBTs Expanded Meth Labs - Know What to Look For Questions & Answers Common Audit Findings Abuse of Cough and Cold Medicine Increasing Kibbles & Bits? Transportation Safety Institute Course Offerings ODAPC Employer Page
34	2007, Fall	Collection Site Security and Integrity Focus of Attention 3rd Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol National Conference Announced 2007 National Drug-Free Work Week On-Call Employee Pre-Duty Alcohol Use TSI Expands Course Offerings, Includes Reasonable Suspicion Seminar Transit Positive Drug Test Results Lower Than U.S. Workforce Florida Training Video Available Same Standards Apply for Taxi and Paratransit Providers "Ancillary Vehicles" Defined for Post-Accident Testing Sources of SAP Training and Examination Increase Employers Have Final Word on Test Refusals Physicians Need Additional Training to Assess Driver Impairment Guide to Assessing Driver Ability
33	2007, Winter	Random Testing Rate for Drugs Lowered to 25% 2nd Annual FTA Drug & Alcohol National Conference Announced Post-Accident Threshold Cards Available New EBTs Added to List Pre-employment Test Refusal Clarified List of Qualified SAPs Expanded MIS On-Line Reporting Clarification 2007 FTA Substance Abuse Seminars and TSI Course Offerings Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Medications
32	2006, Spring	Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference is Success Sources of Qualified SAPs NPRM Proposes Elimination of Duplicative Testing Requirement NPRM Proposes Codification of Coast Guard Rule Applicability Docket Comment Procedure New Freedom and JARC Guidance Coming Soon Information on Recidivism Still Being Gathered Rx/OTC in Top Ten List of Associated Factors in Truck Accidents Sources of Information on Rx/OTC
31	2006, Winter	Random Rates Remain the Same FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference Specimen Validity Requirement Topic of NPRM MIS Reporting Process Same as Last Year Transit Police, Homeland Security and Testing FTA Seeking Info on Recidivism Cold Season Has Safety Consequences Time to Empty Your Medicine Chest
30	2005, Fall	FTA Drug & Alcohol Program National Conference Announced 2002 Annual Report Published Internet Reporting a Success GAO Addresses Drug Test Defraud Issue Validity Testing Permitted, Not Required FTA/ODAPC Provides Assistance Substance Abuse Seminars to be Scheduled Previous DOT Test Record Request Clarified CCF/ATF Errors Cause Compliance Problems Consumer Alert on Breath Testing Devices SAP Compliance is Transit System's Responsibility Subcontractor Exemption Applies Only to Maintenance Common Audit Findings -Old and New Policy on Negative Dilute Must Be Stated Dietary Supplements -Are They Safe?
29	2005, Winter	MIS Reports Due March 15 Random Rates Unchanged Electronic Edition of Newsletter Specimen Validity Testing TSI Offers Training Oversight Remains Responsibility of Grantee Common Collection Mistakes Should be Avoided ODAPC 411 Amphetamines Impair Driving
28	2004, Summer	New FTA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager Director of Transit Safety and Security Named Newsletter Goes Electronic 2005 Substance Abuse Seminars Announced Continuing Ed/Refresher Training Due for Some Awaiting DHHS' Alternative Testing Final Rule SAP Compliance Problematic for Zero Tolerance Systems Social Security Number on CCF DOT Validity Test NPRM Expected Soon Employees Covered by More Than One Mode New Releases of Drug Test Results? MRO Procedure Clarified -Adulterant/Split Specimen Testing Model Transit Rx/OTC Approach
27	2004, Spring	ODAPC Director Appointed Contact Us About Future Editions DHHS Establishes Validity Test Standards DOT Encourages Comments on DHHS' Alternative Testing NPRM MRO Continuing Ed Deadline Nears List of Certified Labs Continues to Shrink Prescription Drugs: Benefits and Risks
26	2004, Winter	Key Policy Makers on the Move Newsletter to Go Electronic Random Testing Raters Remain the Same Calculating the Number of Random Tests MTS Forms Due March 15 SAMSHA Considering Alternative Testing Wait Between Alcohol Test Clarified Special Events Contractors Clarified End of Shift Testing
25	2003, Summer	HIPAA and DOT Rules Don't Conflict New Validity Test Standard Announced Lift Accidents May Require Tests Rx/OTC Toolkit Available Effective Oversight Need not be Costly Work Place Drug Use Lowest in 14 Years Documenting Rx/OTC Involvement in Accidents
24	2003, Spring	Drug & Alcohol Discussion Forum Announced Drug & Alcohol Audit Questions Revised Hosts Needed for Substance Abuse Seminars FTA Drug & Alcohol Program -Topic at CTAA MIS Reports Must be Maintained in Files Split Specimen Collection Form Alternative Testing Methods Not Approved for DOT Use Coast Guard Still Follows DOT Testing Procedures Service Agent Update -Agencies Offer SAP Exams US Supreme Court to Hear ADA/Drug Rehab Case Ohio Supreme Court Prohibits Testing Injured Workers List of States Prohibiting Adulterants Expands Rx/OTC Medications -Employer Rx/OTC Policy Guidance
23	2002, fall	Evaluation Concludes Benefits Out Weigh Cost 2003 Random Testing Rates Remain the Same FTA Resource Materials Available Service Agent Deadlines Near One DOT MIS Form Proposed 2002 MIS Reporting Process Unchanged Over-the-Counter Medications- Are They Safe?
22	2002, Summer	Revised Implementation Guidelines Available Rx/OTC- New Newsletter Feature DOT Provides Sample Release of Information Form FTA Funded Ferry Boat Operators Coverage Clarified Testing at End of Shift "Release of Info Form -49 CFR Part 40 Drug & Alcohol Testing" FTA Announces Seminar Schedule FTA Produces Rx/OTC Toolkit -Available in fall Safety-sensitive Employee Guidelines for Use of Rx & OTCs
21	2002, Spring	"Best Practices" Out in spring Hosts Needed for Part 655 Briefings Audit Process Resumes Re-Audits Underway SC Supreme Court Prohibits Sale of Urine HEMP Product Controversy Continues Alcohol Found in Unsuspecting Places Information Release Required National Database of Rule Violators not Practical
20	2002, Winter	Keep Focused on Safety Part 655 Briefings Offered 2002 Random Rates Established Systems Selected to Submit MIS Reports Use of New Forms Required Role of the "DER" Clarified Test Result Summary & Corresponding Employer Action
19	2001, Summer	Part 655 is Final!! DOT Publishes Part of Technical Amendments Part 655 Summarized FTA Offers Training on Part 655 Flight Attendant Awarded $$$ in Drug Test Case Supreme Court Decides Medical Use of Marijuana Case New DOT Collection and SAP Guidelines Part 40 Technical Amendments Designated Employer Representative Defined Arbitrators Prohibited from Substitution Judgment for MROs Test Refusals Definition Expanded
18	2001, Spring	Part 655 NPRM Part 40 Clarifications Resource Materials
17	2001, Winter	FYI Part 40 Amendments Part 40 Revisions Resource Materials
16	2000, Fall	FYI Self-Assessment Checklist Testing Service/Products Non-Evidential Testing Devices
15	2000, Summer	Clarifications Revised Policy Checklist Part 40 Update Prescription & OTC Drugs
14	1999, Winter	Court Actions Self-Assessment Checklist NPRM Highlights Clarification Resource Materials
13	1999, Fall	Clarifications & Corrections Self-Assessment Checklist For Your Information MIS Reporting Resource Materials
12	1999, Summer	Technical Assistance Self-Assessment Checklist Clarifications and Corrections Resource Materials
11	1999, Spring	Recent Court Actions Self-Assessment Checklist FTA/FHWA Comparison Index Technical Assistance Resource Materials
10	1999, Winter	Rule Changes Test Reporting Guidelines Checklist MIS Reports Technical Assistance Resource Materials
9	1998, Fall	Regulatory Changes Random Testing Checklist Clarifications &Corrections Resource Materials
8	1998, Spring	Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Policy Checklist Testing Procedures Resource Materials
7	1998, winter	Testing Results Clarifications & Corrections Resource materials
6	1997, Fall	FTA Audit Process Proposed Rule Change Recordkeeping & Reporting Contractor Compliance Resource Materials
5	1997, Summer	FTA Conducts Compliance Audits Pilot Audit Results: Common Compliance Issues Compliance Issues Random Testing Post-Accident Testing Safety Sensitive Employees Policy Statements Vendor Services Record Keeping Contractor Oversight FTA Interpretations DOT Rules Pre-empt California and Arizona Drug Initiatives THC in Food Products New Consortia Manual Where to Find Amendments and Technical Corrections?
4	1996, Fall/Winter	Recordkeeping and Reporting Compliance Monitoring FTA Clarifications Resource Materials
3	1996, Summer	Tests Cost Less Than Expected Insufficient Volume Rule Changes Regulatory Amendments Medical Exam Requirements Clarified Split Sample Results Go to Employer Confirmed Positive Tests Issue Resolved SAP Definition Expanded Testing Procedures Collection Practices Need Improvement Body Temperature Measurement Corrections and Clarifications Information Disclosure and Benefits MIS Reports Due March 15 FTA Program Monitoring Triennial Review FTA Oversight Audits Questions and Answers FTA Interpretations Definition of Supervisor Pre-employment Test Following Leave Chain of Custody and Control Forms Correction
2	1996, Spring	Corrections and Clarifications FTA Interpretations Testing Procedures FTA/FHWA Applicability Resource Materials
1	1995, Fall/Winter	Consortia/Third Party Administrators Corrections and Clarifications FTA Interpretations Notice of Proposed Rule Making Regulatory Amendments Testing Procedures