Posts Tagged Toxicology testing
Medical Marijuana Users Not Protected From Employer Drug Testing
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on June 15, 2011
Even for the states that have legalized marijuana for medical use under the Medical Use of Marijuana Act (MUMA), people who are taking advantage of the law are still at risk from their employers. The act is intended to protect medical users from arrest but the protection does not extend to private businesses. In at least 2 separate instances employees who were using 
marijuana for medical purposes were required to submit to drug tests for their employment and were subsequently fired. Even though both of these people informed their employers about their medical use of marijuana and had supporting evidence from their doctors, the companies still followed through with their corporate policies.
For people suffering from chronic pain or undergoing cancer treatment, marijuana can make a huge difference. The talk show host, Montel Williams, has suffered with Multiple Sclerosis for years and found relief from constant neurological pain with marijuana. He says that it improved his health and well being. He supports this as a treatment so much that he is opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, CA that he claims will be professional with a focus on patient care. It’s truly sad that these sufferers are punished when they have found a treatment that works for them and enables them to function well enough to go back to work. True medical use of marijuana does not provide an exemption for employers concerned with sticking stringently to the rules but it should. Their lack of compassion in our “Drug Free” world is cruel and unacceptable.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients on the Rise
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on May 13, 2011
Kansas is one of the most recent states to try to pass laws requiring welfare recipients to submit to drug testing. 
Although there are many opponents who claim that this will cost the state too much money to test all of these people, in the long run this will help to ensure that the money is going to the children and welfare dependents who need food and shelter. Too many drug users are on welfare and using the state’s money to purchase drugs. From any perspective this is not the intention of welfare and makes most taxpayers (including me!) angry. In fact, many of the welfare recipients who were asked about the drug testing bill now headed to the Governer of Kansas support the concept. They have seen friends and relatives using welfare funds inappropriately.
The unfortunate side effect of passing laws such as this, and so far 30 states have proposed bills like this, but none have successfully been enacted, is that this doesn’t provide a support system for drug addicts. The bills address different aspects of the problem, from receipt of welfare benefits, to applying for welfare, to receipt of food stamps. Those who test positive may be referred for treatment but the treatment isn’t necessarily covered and then there is the question about how they will support themselves while undergoing treatment, if they actually take that step. What about false positives? Is there any recourse for those who receive an incorrect result? Another worry is that some who really need financial aid, and may use it properl,y won’t even apply if they have to be tested. Some states are even proposing that welfare applicants pay $15-$25 for the test themselves. Perhaps lawmakers will address these issues later but are hoping that this will be a deterent allowing money to be spent on the things it was meant to provide as a stop gap measure for those temporarily out of work: food and housing. This is a good idea, but needs to be part of a bigger picture and an overhaul of the entire system to help people who need it and then get then back on their feet and back to work.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Stop! Don’t Eat Out of That Can!
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology, Wellness on March 31, 2011
Guess what? Another warning on what we should and shouldn’t be eating. This time though, it’s not the type of food, but what it’s wrapped in that matters. Eating locally grown, fresh produce is even better for you than you thought, so go ahead, stop by the farmer’s market on the way home. We have all heard warnings about BPA and its hazards. Recent research has demonstrated a link between exposure to bisphenol (BPA) and numerous diseases and disorders including breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, and in children Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Most of the focus has been on plastic water bottles and baby bottles, but the net has widened.
The newest research showed that eating only freshly prepared, organic foods for 3 days reduced the amount of BPA in your system by 66%. The endocrine disrupting chemical is found not only in bottles, but in food storage containers and plastic sealing wrap. It is also used to line the inside of food cans. Yes, not eating any prepared or pre-packaged foods is a huge sacrifice, but if you are at risk for any of the diseases or disorders that BPA may cause, you might want to think about cutting back as a start. You can be tested to determine the level of BPA in your system with a urine test. It’s a good way to start making a decision about whether you need to get organic. The FDA hasn’t come down against BPA and the research isn’t clear on whether lowering BPA levels in your body really matters. Another one to watch and see, but less trash is good for the environment, too. Maybe I’ll walk past the canned vegetable aisle for a while.
Poison Prevention Week: A Good Reminder!
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on March 23, 2011
Have you checked your home lately for poisonous substances? Oh, you don’t have children! Well, what about your pet or your niece, nephew, or neighbor’s child? Keeping poisons including medications, cleaning supplies and garden chemicals put away can prevent tragic accidents. Pets have been known to drink radiator fluid because it tastes good. 
Old medications that have dropped on the floor may look like candy to young children and to pets. This week is Poison Prevention Week sponsored by PoisonPrevention.org and it’s a good time to be sure that dangerous chemicals and medications are out of reach of children and pets, whether yours or visitors’.
Heavy metals, like lead and mercury, can be found in old paint that can be on metal objects in the house and around the yard and in the case of mercury on broken thermometers or thermostats. Environmental toxins such as those found in some fertilizers could be anywhere if you do a lot of yardwork. If you aren’t sure if you or a loved one has been exposed, blood can be tested for exposure to toxins and the environment can be tested to determine whether it is safe. When in doubt, contact the new National Poison Control phone number, 1-800-222-1222. This will connect you to one of 61 regional poison control centers where you can get the information you need to act quickly and, possibly, save a life. Take a look around. Is your home safe?
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Decriminalizing Marijuana: Is This the Right Direction?
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on March 15, 2011
Another state, Connecticut, is considering decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, less than 1 ounce. The Governor’s intent is to reduce the prison population and save the state money. This would also map to similar laws in their neighboring states of New York and Massachusetts. 
Is this really a legitmate way to save money? Many legislators don’t agree and this could open the door to marijuana use becoming more prevalent. The proposed law doesn’t stipulate an age limit or how many times it is okay to be in possession.
Was the current prison population in the state that was convicted of marijuana possession also charged with another offense? Detractors say that rarely is possession of a small amount of pot the only offense and that there are usually aggravating factors. Of the 31 cases of possession as the primary offense up for trial now all of them are for 4 ounces or more and include other charges in addition to the possession charge or are part of a plea bargain that reduced the charges to only marijuana possession. Drug tests are frequently used to determine whether someone has been driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and these would still be prosecuted as they have been. Proponents of the bill say that in 2009 there were 8,118 arrests statewide for possession of marijuana. In 2,700 of those cases, possession of marijuana was the only charge and 75 percent of those involved less than one ounce of the substance. Based on these statistics, it looks like this might save the state money, but will this increase drug use and arrests in the long term? It might be the smartest way to save a buck!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Fake Pot Banned by DEA
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on March 1, 2011
Up until today it has been legal in most states to purchase and possess “fake pot”, also known as Spice and K2, among other names. For those looking for a legal high, this seemed like a perfect solution. 
The war on drugs has been the mother of invention and encouraged people to seek other ways to get what they want. Unfortunately for them, the synthetic marijuana has sent hundreds of people to emergency rooms nationwide with seizures, rapid heart rate, and hallucinations. This newer, more dangerous drug prompted the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to step in and ban the chemicals JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47,497 and cannabicyclohexanol for at least a year while it looks into whether to ban them permanently. Although the drug was meant to mimic marijuana’s effects in laboratory animals for research purposes and never meant to be consumed by humans, humans got a hold of the recipe and it’s been sold as “incense” in head shops. Many states had already begun the process of making synthetic marijuana illegal and laws were passed in 15 states . The DEA used its emergency powers and after a waiting period of 30 days possession of the substance will be a federal crime. Tests are available to determine if someone has been using it but weren’t readily available. With the DEA’s action today, the test will become more widely available as the federal agency tries to crack down on the designer drug and prevent what it considers a health and safety crisis. Most studies don’t show that real marijuana is any more dangerous or addictive than alcohol. The fact that it’s illegal is what gets most pot smokers in trouble. Regardless of anyone’s view on whether marijuana should be made legal in the United States, the “incense” being sold in head shops is much more dangerous and the DEA has done the right thing to stop people from destroying themselves with it. It’s too bad they can’t stop people from doing a lot of other stupid things.
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Do Our Prescription Drugs Make Us More Violent?
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on January 18, 2011
Our society has become more medicated than ever before. Although we appreciate longer life and better treatments for disorders like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and insomnia, the side effects create havoc for some people. The big question is, were we already becoming violent, which is supported by crime statistics, or is the medication pushing us that way? 
A list of the top ten legal drugs that are linked with violent behavior include 5 that are anti-depressants, 2 that are used to treat ADHD and one that treats insomnia. The concern that your child is taking your prescription medications presents further complications when some of these medications cause anywhere from 7.9 to 10.9 times increased likelihood of violent behavior. We can test for use of legal, prescription medications such as amphetamines, benzodiazepenes, and tricyclic anti-depressants but not for all the of the medications on the list.
Some of these drugs are addictive and may be sought after for a drug addiction, accompanied by crime to get the drug, but many of these are not. Some of the disorders that are treated with these medications involve violent behavior before taking the medication, such as some anti-psychotics. Many of the drugs described in the study are non-addictive and are not treating a pre-existing violent condition, such as Strattera. This medication, used to treat ADHD, has been linked to rage and hostility. I have seen this in practice with my son. He was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of years ago and after trying many amphetamines we tried Strattera. The rages and depression he experienced have been painful to watch. He isn’t old enough to cause much damage except to his own psyche through the guilt he feels after he has lost his temper. It is obvious to us now after a couple of months of gradually increasing hostility that we’re back to the drawing board on treating his ADHD. This leaves me feeling fortunate that the raging will hopefully go away when the medication wears off, but frustrated that my little boy had to go through such a painful period. What if he had been old enough to get a gun or get into a fistfight in a bar? The effects would have been much more powerful than just guilt and tears. Treating a painful disorder is great, but watch out for side effects. For some people, they may not be worth it.
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Being Fit Goes Hand in Hand with Binge Drinking
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on January 12, 2011
Wouldn’t you think that being fit would mean eating right and taking care of yourself? Apparently not! It seems that extreme behavior, like exercising a lot, applies to other behaviors, such as drinking…A LOT! 
Researchers don’t know why fit people would do this, but they have a few theories. Perhaps people who engage in extreme behaviors do this in all areas of their lives. Possibly the good feeling that comes from exercising is the reason they drink, to recreate the “runner’s high”. Maybe, they exercise to burn off the calories imbibed and reverse the negative effects of binge drinking. Surprisingly, “drinking is associated with a 10.1 percentage point increase in the probability of exercising vigorously,” the authors write. More specifically, “heavy drinkers exercise about 10 more minutes per week than current moderate drinkers and about 20 more minutes per week than current abstainers.”
The research on this topic pointed out that binge drinking kills brain cells, affecting memory and decision-making processes. The rats in this study exercised for two weeks before being allowed to drink as much alcohol as they wanted. They proceeded to binge drink as much as the rats who had not exercised, but they didn’t kill as many brain cells as the non-exercisers. It appears that exercising provides some neural protection against binge drinking! This isn’t encouragment to binge drink and accompany it with exercise. Binge drinking isn’t good for you and is dangerous for many reasons. This surprising information means that being fit isn’t necessarily linked with healthy living. Hair alcohol abuse tests can provide information on how much drinking a person engages in and regardless of how much you exercise, it’s not a good thing to drink too much.
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College Kids Going Crazy with Four Loko
Posted by Maureen in Toxicology on November 19, 2010
As if college kids don’t binge drink enough, Four Loko is there to help them out! Although researchers don’t fully understand why the combination of caffeine and alcohol is so dangerous, it is. It appears that college students in bars who were questioned after drinking Four Loko drank more, stayed out longer, and had much higher blood alcohol levels. The combination of a stimulant and a depressant do not cancel each other out; instead they intensify each other. Drinkers of energy/alcohol drinks stay up longer and continue to drink more than when drinking alcohol alone. In addition, college students and teens, the ones who appear to be drinking these more than any other group, tend to weigh less than older drinkers, making the effect of them stronger.
Binge drinking is already a problem for many college aged drinkers and this type of drink can only exascerbate the problem. Young people don’t need encouragement to drink to oblivion. A new test can measure the likelihood that someone is an alcoholic by looking at the Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEEs) with a hair test. The evidence of alcohol abuse remains in the hair long after the drinking is done. The dangers of caffeinated alcohol beverages has been recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration who is cracking down on the manufacturers of these drinks. Teenagers and college students need our help to protect them from themselves so the FDA’s actions are welcome news. Lowered inhibitions and more binge drinking is not good for any of us!
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CDC H1N1 Flu Updates:- Press Briefing Transcript: Dr. Thomas Frieden's Remarks at the 2010 Influenza Workshop for Journalists
- HHS News Release: WHO Declares End to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
- WHO Statement on H1N1 in post-pandemic period
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- MMWR: Regional Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Campaign -- Skokie, Illinois, October 16--December 31, 2009
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update