With opioid use at record levels, the Department of Transportation has proposed adding 4 commonly abused drugs to the list that drivers must be screened for.
The drugs to be added, which are normally prescribed for pain, are:
- Oxycodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydrocodone
- Oxymorphone
The Department of Transportation new protocol would make them consistent with the Health and Human Services guidelines. According to HHS, over 3,900 Americans BEGIN use of opioid drugs (including heroin) every day. The HHS guidelines are scheduled to take effect in October but no date is set for the DOT changes.
Here's a link to the DOT's full notice where you can comment on the proposed changes. You can make comments until March 24, 2017.
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOT-OST-2016-0189-0001
