Synthetic Drug Threats

To the drugs of abuse commonly plaguing employers, synthetic cannabinoids, such as K2 and Spice, and synthetic cathinodes, often labeled as bath salts, will have to be reckoned with. Legislation in 2009 and 2010 targeted specific versions of the drugs. However, minor changes to the chemical make-up of these substances can create new but very similar drugs not covered in the law. In response, 2011 and 2012 legislation targets entire classes of substances and aims to prevent new formulations of synthetic drugs from remaining unregulated, while still allowing the substances for approved medical and research purposes. Although the overwhelming majority of states have outlawed K2, Spice and bath salts, and although they have been added by legislation to Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act, it is important to remind employers that detecting them is not a given. Employers need to check whether the laboratories they are using to analyze drug test results have the ability to test for these substances. The conventional tests used by laboratories to test for natural cannabis will not detect these synthetics. A spokesperson for a HR consulting group in the area reportedly added, “The expansion of this type of testing is going to be a substantial tool for employers. If they can’t control the sale, they can at least deter the use.”

Read more

Post By kris2015 (150 Posts)