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Societal Issue
Author: J
Date: 09-16-2016 - 06:30
The WaPost article gives the impression that railroad drug use is out of control but the story is moving to recognize this is a societal problem. FRA's presentation to the Rail Safety Advisory Committee yesterday included data showing:
- Marijuana-related traffic fatalities in Colorado have increased 32% since legalization and Opioid deaths since 1999 have increased 21%.
- NHTSA found that 12% of drivers were high on weekend nights
- Drug deaths now outnumber traffic deaths
The Department of Health and Human Services will soon announce an expansion of the number of substances checked in tests of federal employees (e.g., synthetic opioid pain killers). DOT will quickly make this change to federally mandated tests for others such as covered railroad employees and CDL holders. This will undoubtedly increase the number of positive random tests.
- Marijuana-related traffic fatalities in Colorado have increased 32% since legalization and Opioid deaths since 1999 have increased 21%.
- NHTSA found that 12% of drivers were high on weekend nights
- Drug deaths now outnumber traffic deaths
The Department of Health and Human Services will soon announce an expansion of the number of substances checked in tests of federal employees (e.g., synthetic opioid pain killers). DOT will quickly make this change to federally mandated tests for others such as covered railroad employees and CDL holders. This will undoubtedly increase the number of positive random tests.
