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Opioid Testing Changes in 2018 What will occur: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved the addition of four metabolites to the USDOT five‐panel drug test. Why this is changing: The federal government is requiring increased scrutiny for the prescriptions of many compounds in the opioid category. This is a federal change, and is not a state or departmental change. What will change: Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone metabolites will be included in the opiate category (revised to “opioid” in several federal regulations). The federal five‐panel test will remain a five‐panel test. No additional panels are being added. What this means: If you have a valid prescription, your drug test will still be negative, even if the metabolites are detected in your urine sample. However, if these metabolites are detected and you do NOT have a valid prescription, the drug test result will be certified as a positive. What y...

Veterans and Recovery Our society is beginning to understand the effects of many of the consequences of battle and how it can impact communities. Mental health is rightfully losing its stigma, and we are beginning to talk about it more openly, providing a better road to our veterans entering the work force and reintegrating in communities and families. Recovery from substance use or abuse is often overlooked or misunderstood by society, and assisting veterans with any needed recovery effort should be a priority for federal agencies. Recovery and treatment should not fall victim to long waits and bureaucratic hurdling, but should instead be available openly to our veterans, free from judgment, and with the support of the community. This Veterans Day, make a donation to a recovery group in your area, or contact  Veterans Recovery Resources  for more information. Smart Test  gives our sincere thanks to those who have served the country.

Patrice Kelly, former Acting Director of the Drug of Alcohol Policy and Compliance (ODAPC) has been named Director of ODAPC . Her directorship comes at the best-possible time for public safety, as the USDOT plans to allow for the testing of an expanded opioid panel in the current five panel tests currently mandated. Under her role as Acting Director, ODAPC increased public outreach, fostered safety program improvements in industry, and was central in guiding all DOT modes through the changing state laws regarding cannabis and the opioid crisis. The industry can expect Director Kelly and her team at ODAPC to continue to provide guidance and clarification to transportation safety in a rapidly changing landscape, and to lead a safety program which directly impacts the US roads, skies, waterways, and pipelines. Smart Test 240 Commercial St. Boston MA 02109

Post-Accident Testing Smartphone App Alerts TPA’s and Clients to Accidents Smart Test is happy too announce the acquisition and release of the  free FMCSA Accident  app . FMCSA Accident  is a straightforward, user-friendly,  professional-grade  smartphone app that ensures compliant decisions are made after accidents.  FMCSA Accident  is a  free  app. FMCSA Accident  allows you to easily determine if an accident is covered by FMCSA and directs you to either administer federal post-accident drug and alcohol testing or NON-DOT testing. ·  Y ou will be alerted to your client’s/employees testing requirements instantly, by email, text, or both. A description of the accident will tell you what type of test is required, allowing you to monitor the process, advise the client for compliance, alert the collection site, and invoice accordingly. ·  E nsure that all of your client’s/employees require their drivers to list...

Juan Jose Moya, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug and Alcohol Program Manager has been appointed to Acting Division Administrator at FMCSA in Puerto Rico, a temporary detail. Mr. Moya has been working on the FMCSA Clearinghouse, a database to record substance abuse and alcohol violations in regulated carriers. The FMCSA Clearinghouse is still under development. Smart Test -Boston 240 Commercial Street Boston, MA 02109

The rise of affordability on DNA testing has allowed for substantial increases in its applicability.  From DNA testing for US Immigration to testing for ancestry research and maternity/paternity cases, the biggest obstacles to testing are the cost of the test, the reliability and defensibility of the results, and the timeframe to receive results. Following testing protocols without error at the time of collection are required for a specimen to be valid and defensible, and a laboratory which can provide fast-yet-accurate results. Popular DNA testing services for ancestry can take up to eight weeks and paternity tests can take several weeks. Smart Test provides affordable testing with legally valid results in under a week. DNA testing in Boston is now faster, more accurate, secure and confidential at an affordable price. Smart Test Boston (617) 963–8378 240 Commercial St. Boston, MA 02109