For many organizations, maintaining regulatory compliance is a major undertaking. As organizations adapt to recent regulatory changes that pertain to drug and alcohol program requirements, including testing for opioids, they may find it helpful to understand the scope and impact of the changes, as well as to consider the challenges faced by organizations and their contractors in maintaining compliance, and steps organizations can take to enhance their compliance in regard to drug and alcohol policies and processes.
Late last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) took action to expand the list of drugs included in screenings to incorporate four commonly abused opioids. The amendment to the drug-testing rule became effective on January 1, 2018.