Celebrating 5 Years!

As many of my colleagues know I love doing what I do. I was very lucky 5 years to receive an offer to work in this industry. What started out as a simple assistant job has now expanded into a trusted opinion and educator in the industry. I've now decided to continue my education with receiving my degree in Sociology at the University of Arkansas so that I can continue to learn more about the people we drug test, the companies we represent, and the legal situations we are involved in. My long term goal is to work with strengthening the rules and regulations of drug testing in the state of Arkansas as well as working with schools on education and awareness. I'm very lucky to be at First Choice because it gives me the flexibility to learn, teach, and work. I've worked with some amazing people through my journey in drug testing who are still mentors to me today. Not only have most of our competitors worked with me but they too are mentors and very well respected by me. I appreciate everyone that has gotten me this far (good or bad) and hope that my future stays bright within this industry. Looking forward to many more years to come!

Erin Hunt

First Choice Welcomes Dr. Jim Bryan

First Choice would like to welcome our newest team member! Dr. Jim Bryan comes to us with much accreditation and experience. Dr. Bryan is the Little Rock areas only certified 1st class FAA Flight Physical doctor. He has chosen First Choice as his home to continue service with his current patients as well as new patients. We are extremely excited to have him! At this time Dr. Bryan is only scheduling physicals on Wednesday evenings after 5 pm. As soon as his schedule expands we will post it on our website. To schedule a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class flight physical please contact First Choice at 501-661-9992.

New DOT Regulations For Drug Testing

We've been so busy the last 2 months getting things ready for the new DOT regulations that I haven't posted a thing. What I thought would be a simple switch ended up changing a lot of things! Not only did we welcome the new substances MDMA (ecstasy) and 6 MAM (heroin)but we are now adjusting to the lowered the amphetamine levels as well. DOT is now also requiring the laboratories to report and keep track of each entity. So a DOT drug test can no longer just be a DOT test. It has to be marked as FMCSA, USCG, PHMSA, FAA, or FTA. This is not a huge step but it is something we must be conscience of. First Choice is constantly receiving updates from DOT and DATIA to remind of us of any changes that need to be made. Looking forward to a great year in 2011!

Is Pre-Employment Alcohol Testing a Bad Idea?

One blogger seems to think so. Read below the article I found:

Why Pre-employment alcohol testing is such a bad idea:

The use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace and by the work force is costing American corporations billions of dollars in lost productivity, accidents, and excess health care costs. Many organizations are now using pre-employment tests in an attempt to minimize their exposure to substance abuse. This trend is especially evident in the transportation industry, where federal regulations require that individuals who hold or apply for "safety sensitive" positions complete pre-employment breath alcohol tests.(1)

Although eliminating alcohol and other drugs of abuse from the workplace is a worthy goal, pre-employment alcohol testing will do little to advance it. To understand why pre-employment alcohol testing is unlikely to work, it is necessary to consider what these tests actually measure, the failure rates for these tests, and how the costs of such tests stack up against the probable benefits.

ALCOHOL TESTING METHODS

Alcohol testing technologies can be broken down into two general categories. A number of bioassay methods use breath, urine, blood, saliva, or hair samples to provide evidence for the presence or absence of alcohol in the bloodstream. An alternative is to use behavioral assessments to detect and diagnose drug or alcohol-related impairment.

Breath alcohol analysis is the method of choice in a number of settings, such as law enforcement and the transportation industry. Current generation breath-alcohol analyzers generally have excellent accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and selectivity or specificity for ethanol in breath samples. Studies have demonstrated significant relationships between breath alcohol and impairment of driving skills, hand steadiness, eye movements, and subjective feelings of intoxication. Urine testing (using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry) is considered one of the most reliable and valid methods of testing for drugs and alcohol in urine, yielding accuracy levels of 99.7 percent when conducted in labs by qualified personnel. However, several reviews--Sonnestuhl et al. (1987), Loomis (1990), and Normand, Lempert, and O'Brien (1994)-suggest that urinalysis results do not indicate the quantity of alcohol consumed, when it was consumed, or whether the subject is a chronic abuser of the drug.

Rather than inferring blood alcohol concentration on the basis of breath or urine samples, it might be preferable to directly measure the level of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. Analysis of blood samples for drugs or their metabolytes involves relatively invasive collection methods, requires trained personnel to perform the collection, and requires more sophisticated analysis techniques than urine testing. However, because of the strong relationship between blood alcohol levels and the effects of alcohol on the nervous system, most experts regard blood tests for alcohol as the forensic benchmark against which other methods should be validated.

Saliva has also been shown to be an appropriate specimen for determining the presence of alcohol. This method typically involves collecting samples on strips or swabs that turn various colors when exposed to alcohol. However, cutoff levels that would provide reliable measurement of either the presence of alcohol or alcohol-related impairment using saliva samples have not yet been established.

Another biologically based testing technology involves analyses of hair samples. Trace amounts of drug molecules that have circulated through the blood stream will be found in the follicle of the hair in amounts that are roughly proportional to those ingested. Further, such drug traces will remain in the hair as it grows and are not likely to diminish over time. Unlike detection in urine or blood, detection of drug or alcohol use in hair analysis cannot be avoided by abstention for days prior to the test or by attempts at adulteration.

Unlike bioassay methods, behavioral techniques are intended to assess level of impairment rather than mere exposure. The Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DEC) is the most commonly used behavioral assessment. It is designed to determine whether an individual is impaired, the likely cause of the impairment (drags, medical condition, and so forth), and, if impairment is drug-related, the likely category or combination of drugs involved.

The DEC examination typically includes a breath-alcohol test, eye examination for horizontal and vertical nystagmus (involuntary twitching) as well as convergence (or lack thereof), divided attention psychological tests, vital sign examination, pupillary size and responsiveness evaluation, evaluation of muscle tone, and examination for injection sites. DEC may have potential application in the work context in "reasonable cause" situations as a way to identify performance decrements and to confirm whether the identified problems are caused by drug or alcohol use on the job.

A variety of computer-based behavioral tests have also been developed to evaluate impairment due to drug or alcohol use. Such tests generally assess an individual's ability to detect or discriminate different stimuli, motor ability, psychomotor skill, learning, memory, and decision making. Behavioral assessment techniques are most effective when the subject is highly impaired and have limited effectiveness when used to identify low-dose impairment.

To Read more visit http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1038/is_n5_v38/ai_17565145/

We are on a roll!

Things are looking up! I've been in contact with one Senator who believes we are on the right track! We are close to getting heads to turn on this drug epidemic in our schools! I found a website that gives statistics on teens and prescription drugs that I believe every parent should read.

1. Nearly one in five (19 percent or 4.5 million) teens has tried prescription medication to get high
2. Every day, 2500 kids age 12 to 17 try a painkiller for the first time
3. The vast majority of teens abusing prescription drugs are getting them from the medicine cabinets of friends, family, and acquaintances
4. It has been shown that most teens and young adults who use prescription opiates begin their use by experimenting with pills found in medicine cabinets at home
5. Because these drugs are so readily available, and many teens believe they are a safe way to get high, teens who wouldn't otherwise touch illicit drugs might abuse prescription drugs- and not many parents are talking to them about it
6. Drug treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 300 percent from 1995 to 2005
7. Opioid analgesic ER visits increased 117% over the last decade, and the death rate surpassed that of heroin and cocaine. This behavior cuts across geographic, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries
8. Prescription drug abuse has exceeded use of illicit narcotics in parts of Europe, Africa, and South Asia
9. 2.3 million kids age 12 to 17 abused prescription drugs in 2003
10. Teens abuse prescription drugs more than any illicit street drug except marijuana
11. Prescription drugs are the drugs of choice for 12 and 13 year olds
12. 1 in 5 teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves
13. 60% of teens who have abused prescription painkillers did so before age 15
14. There are as many new abusers age 12 to 17 of prescription drugs as there are of marijuana
15. Two in five teens (40 percent or 9.4 million) agree that Rx medicines, even if they are not prescribed by a doctor, are “much safer” to use than illegal drugs
16. Nearly one-third of teens (31 percent or 7.3 million) believe there’s “nothing wrong” with using Rx medicines without a prescription “once in a while"
17. Nearly three out of 10 teens (29 percent or 6.8 million) believe prescription pain relievers – even if not prescribed by a doctor – are not addictive
(www.medsafeglobal.com)

Those are enough statistics to convince anyone that something has to be done fast!

Letter to our AR Senators Asking For Their Support

Hello Senator,



Thank you for taking the time to read this email. I will start by introducing myself. My name is Erin Hunt. I’ve been working in the drug testing industry for almost 5 years. I am 27 years old and working towards my bachelors to become an expert in the industry. At this time I’m only an advocate but personally I think I’m an expert (don’t we all). Drug testing right now, as you know, is federally mandated for federal workers under the Department of Transportation. There is an Arkansas Drug Free Workplace Program in effect that employers can pick up and use to help with their cost for Workers Comp insurance and it mimics the DOT rules and regulations. This program is fantastic and all companies that use it, love it! We are now coming face to face with another growing issue: drug use and abuse with students in schools.



On April 11 and April 29, in two separate counties, with two separate families, two 11 year old boys died from overdosing on Methadone. Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug addiction. Taking methadone improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or death. Even if you have used other narcotic medications, you may still have serious side effects from methadone. The April 11th case is still under investigation. The April 29th case hit very close to home because he was my friend’s youngest son. She’s not getting many answers at this time but what she does know is her son received the drugs at school by another student who was 13 years old. When she was asked where she got the drugs she told police she stole them from her Grandmother’s purse. Typically Methadone is given in a clinic setting and not in a prescription form. There are special Methadone clinics that specialize in prescribing and administering this drug. The Grandmother is being investigated as well.



Everyone involved in this story would have benefited from drug awareness and education:

1. The Grandmother needed the education and awareness of what drugs she had and was using, the effects of them, and how their children could be gaining access to them and the ultimate consequences.

2. The 13 year old would have known or at least been aware of how dangerous taking other peoples prescriptions as well as the illegal aspects of it and the dangers that arise from giving it to other students.

3. The parents of the 11 year old boy would have known how to talk to their son about the dangers of drugs and prescription drugs and what to do if another student gives him something that he may not know what it is.

4. The 11 year old would have known to say no and would be alive today.



Here is what I’m finding out from students, parents, and teachers:

-Students are choosing prescription drugs more than meth, marijuana, and cocaine.

-Students are getting most of these prescription drugs in the home.

-In some cases, kids as young as 11 are using prescription drugs and smoking cigarettes.

-If you ask a student what they think drugs are they will say everything but prescription drugs. (Typically because a doctor prescribes it, therefore it seems harmless.)

-Most prescription drugs are no bigger than a vitamin. Most cannot tell the difference.

-Prescription drugs are not detectable by a drug dog. Although very effective for other drugs, prescription drugs are harder to catch.

-Some schools are testing student athletes but not the student body. There are some schools that search students and their backpacks with metal detectors but feel drug testing is too invasive.

-Some private schools are testing the entire student body and catch at least 1-2 students each year abusing drugs including prescription medication.



Possible solution to this problem:

State Mandated Testing and Awareness: for all schools from the 4th grade to 12th grade.

There are 2 possible ways to do a drug testing program: instant testing (which is what the Arkansas DHS is using for probation and in home testing) or lab based testing

What you will need: A Medical Review Officer for positive drug tests, a confirmation laboratory to confirm positive drug tests(Baptist Hospital owns Medical Laboratories of Arkansas and it is a HHS recognized laboratory), and specimen collectors (school nurses or outside party to handle the collections)

A school drug testing policy: stipulations for the drug test including bad behavior, reasonable suspicion, or other. Consequences for finding drugs in their system including a follow up program and meeting with a Substance Abuse Professional ( which I have).

Drug awareness programs: The D.A.R.E. program is a great way to spread awareness as well as at PTA meetings and once a year refresher courses for teachers to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug abuse.



I am in the process of receiving letters from several private school principals in the Little Rock area who are drug testing their students, the benefits of the program, and if they would recommend it. I am emailing several Senators because this is a statewide issue. This is something I have been working on for the last 2 years and hope to help the state of Arkansas come to a resolution in its fight with drug use and abuse in our schools. If we don’t do something soon, this could be more out of control than it already is.



Because I work for a drug testing company I have many resources that could benefit this program including connections with a Medical Review Officer, Instant Testing Devices, Substance Abuse Professional, Signs and Symptoms training for teachers and parents, and guest speak at PTA’s and Schools. I can also help to set up the laboratory for confirmation testing and train all collectors that will need to be trained. I would be glad to talk to you about getting this started or even advice on where to begin. This can be a very simple process and cost can be really low too. If I can get the green light from someone I can start getting the pricing as well as more information and programs set up.



I hope to hear from you soon and thank you for representing this great state of Arkansas! You hard work does not go unnoticed.



Sincerely,



Erin Hunt

K2 Synthetic Marijuana - What do you know?

I'm doing some research on this growing substance that is called K2 which is a synthetic Marijuana. According to users it is legal, can be found in most head shops, and gives you the same feelings as Marijuana. Arkansas is beginning to ban this in several counties. Below is from Arkansas's Fox 16 news:



Arkansas could be the next state to ban K2. It's a form of synthetic marijuana made of herbs and it’s available to anyone who wants to buy it. As K2's popularity soars, lawmakers are looking to shut it down.

It's one of the biggest sellers at Abby Road on south University in Little Rock.

"Probably half our profit daily, I would say we sell close to $2,000 worth of K2 a day," says employee Matt Taylor.

K2 is an herbal smoking blend sprayed with a synthetic that mimics the effects of marijuana. And for it customers will gladly pay $40 plus.

While K2 is popular among its customers a couple states bordering Arkansas including Kansas and Missouri have already decided to ban it.

And state Senator David Johnson D-Little Rock expects Arkansas to join them after the Department of Health weighs in next month.

"I expect their opinion will be consistent with the materials that I’ve read which is K2 presents a real danger to the people, especially the children who might be interested in finding out about K2," Johnsons says.

Employee Matt Taylor thinks the state should regulate K2, even tax it more, but not ban it.

"It would be great economic stimulation for sure," Taylor says. “If you're not hurting anybody, not hurting anything, I don't see what's wrong with it, people love it."

"They could use that argument about any controlled substance, any illegal drug,” Johnson says. But the state has got to draw a line at some point about whether it is better to raise revenue or its better to protect the people’s health."

Until that line is drawn, K2 will remain a hot seller in Little Rock.

Although K2 is legal in Arkansas, smaller municipalities are taking action against it. Alpena, Greenwood and Springdale have already banned the sale of the substance.


Copyright 2010 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reported by: David Goins
Email: dgoins@fox16.com
Last Update: 5/21 7:30 pm

(http://www.fox16.com/news/local/story/State-lawmakers-to-examine-effects-of-K2/bfNpaSHsfkOAw7Esn5AdRA.cspx?rss=315)

DNA Testing

DNA testing can be perceived as being negative or degrading in some occasions. In many cases we are used to watching the Maury Show and seeing the most dramatic performance on national television showing a poor innocent child who's mother is determined the degenerate individual she brought on national television is the father. Of course they are completely determined they are indeed not the father and tend to make complete fools of themselves. The story lines can be entertaining but it is really sad for the child who is stuck in the middle as well as the mother who honestly has no idea who the father of her child is.

The reality is DNA testing can determine several different scenarios. Not only can it it determine paternity but it can also determine ancestry, infidelity, and proving inheritance. We were approached by the laboratory we use for DNA testing for a possible TV show that follows families and individuals who are seeking DNA testing to determine all of the above answers. The cost of the test is typically pretty expensive but in this situation, and if your story is interesting enough for television, you could receive the test absolutely free.

If you are interested in the DNA testing process or have some unanswered questions with you, your family, or your ancestors, give us a call, tell us your story. You may be the next inspiring story for this new TV show with a free DNA test.

501-661-9992 or email at info@firstchoice-testing.com

DOT Physicals and Insulin Dependent Drivers

Not everyday you run into a driver requesting a DOT physical that is not qualified to receive their card. Did you know insulin dependent diabetics do not meet the qualifications for a DOT medical card? Part 391 section 41(b)(3) states "if the condition can be controlled by the use of oral medication and diet, then an individual may be qualified under the present rule. CMV drivers who do not meet the Federal diabetes standard may call (202) 366-4001 for an application for a diabetes exemption." For more information you can go to the DOT.gov website or give us a call.

New Alcohol Forms Extended Until January 1, 2011

I received this message from DATIA:

The Department of Transportation published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) proposing to extend the date for mandatory use of the recently updated Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) to January 1, 2011.

On February 25, 2010, the Department published a final rule revising the ATF. The mandatory use date for the new form is August 1, 2010. After publishing the February 25 revisions, DOT learned that vendors and users of the ATF will not be able to deplete their current supply of ATFs by August. Therefore, they propose only to extend the date for mandatory use.


- DATIA Headquarters

Pharm Parties: The Dangers Our Kids Are In

KARK News 4 in Little Rock, AR did a special on the dangers of prescription medications and our teenagers. More than a week ago and family friend of mine went through her own personal hell when her youngest son took the prescription methadone from another kid in school and did not wake up the next morning. It's terrifying to know that our kids don't have to go on the streets to drug dealers to get these drugs. THEY ARE IN OUR OWN HOMES! First Choice is pushing for a program just like Benton's "Operation Medicine Cabinet" so parents can dispose of unused prescription medication. It could save your child's life.

Please visit this website for the full story by KARK News 4: http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/?cid=312462

Randoms: What's the difference?

DOT clearly states that randoms must be computer generated. Why am I asking some DOT companies how they've been doing their randoms and most of them answer "pulling them out of a hat"! My colleague contacted one company who was bound and determined to do things the way they wanted to. This company has a lot of trucks! What are they doing about alcohol testing? Are they instant testing their drivers instead of doing federal lab based? What about medical review? Physicals? Anything? The truth is there are more companies out there than we know doing this exact thing: whatever they want! Drug Testing can get expensive but if you find a TPA that will work with you, Drug Testing can be so easy and affordable. With that said, if you know a company that isn't drug testing (but is supposed to be), give them our number. We have many options to help keep their costs low as well as keep them out of trouble during their next audit. Even if there are no accidents or violations, DOT auditors have been known to randomly pull company DOT numbers and make a visit.

2010 Flu Shot Orders!

First Choice Drug Testing & Occupational Health Services, Inc. wants to remind you to place your:

2010 Flu Shot Orders
No later than July 15, 2010

First Choice provides a vast array of occupational health services to our customers. One of those services is administering flu shots. Flu season is months away but we are accepting orders until July 15, 2010 to make sure enough vaccines are ordered for this season. You can also schedule your appointment early! No order is too big or too small.

Please call or email us for a order form and submit it no later than July 15, 2010. Please be sure to let us know if you would like us to come on-site to administer the vaccine or if the employees will be coming to our location on S. University. There may be additional fees for on-site testing depending on your location and the number of employees receiving the vaccine.

Note: The CDC is requiring manufacturers of flu vaccines to combine the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and regular season flu vaccine into one shot this 2010 flu season.



If you have any questions, please give us a call at 501-661-9992. We look forward to working with you!

The Dangers of Drugs and Kids

I was hit with a shocking phone call yesterday. A mother went in to wake up her 11 year old boy for school along with his 4 other brothers and sisters. When she went to wake up Tony he was dead. After the police, investigators, and coroner left it was determined that Tony overdosed on Methadone.

Methadone is a narcotic pain reliever, similar to morphine. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other narcotic drugs without causing the "high" associated with the drug addiction. Taking methadone improperly will increase your risk of serious side effects or death. Even if you have used other narcotic medications, you may still have serious side effects from methadone.

So the question is how did this little boy get Methadone? The police were led to a 13 year old girl who went to school with Tony. When questioned she admitted to giving him 2-4 pills as well as giving pills to other kids in school. When asked how she got the Methadone she told police she stole it out of her Grandma's purse. Can you see where this problem started?

Educating our kids as well as educating parents about the dangers of prescriptions drugs is so important. We are to a point where if we don't do something soon, it may be too late. Get involved. It starts in the home.

Tony was a great kid with a very bright future. He made a senseless mistake and paid the ultimate price. His family is definitely grieving and trying to wrap their brains about this. I had spoken to Tony many times about drugs but I was never specific. Kids don't realize that prescription medication is a drug too.

If you would like to donate to Tony's family he has a memorial account set up at Malvern National Bank under Tony Phillips Memorial.
207 North Oak Street
Sheridan, AR 72150
(870) 942-5191 (voice)
(870) 942-5194 (fax)





Read more: http://www.drugs.com/methadone.html#ixzz0mb2FyEzc

DOT Positive Database for Arkansas

In 2008 Arkansas passed a law that all DOT positive test results are to be reported to the Department of Finance and Administration. They've created a database that allows you to put the drivers CDL number, company they tested for, the test they took and the date is was reported positive. The twist is all companies that follow DOT regulations have to check the database for all new drivers they hire. If that driver is in that database as having a positive drug test then the driver has to either (A) show proof of visiting a DOT recognized SAP as well as a follow up program or one completed or (B) can not drive until the driver can show proof of this. If a driver is in the middle of a follow up program, the company hiring him must continue the follow up program until the SAP says it is complete. So the question here is when it comes to this database, how accurate is it, are all MRO's reporting to it, and are companies even checking it? You can set up an account online to check previous driving records for a set up fee of $75.00 plus $1.00 for every search or you can go downtown and pick one up for $0.50 (last time I checked). For questions regarding this new step in hiring a DOT driver please contact us at 501-661-9992 or AR Department of Finance and Administration.

Welcome to our First Blog!

As businesses grow and the world starts shifting more to technology, we have to start keeping up with the Jones'! Many companies are participating in blogging, social networking, and other ways to keep others informed about their industry. We have a Facebook, a Twitter, and now a Blog! I will attempt daily to blog about something interesting or even services we offer. For any questions regarding our services or for more information please give us a call at 501-661-9992. Our company was founded by 3 nurses in 2006 and is stronger than ever today! We have a great team on board who are constantly updating features and services to keep our happy customers HAPPY! Customer service is our number 1 priority and take pride in our knowledge in our services. Please feel free to post comments or send us an email at info@firstchoice-testing.com. Look forward to blogging to you!