Truckers could be tested for opioid use under DOT proposal

The Department of Transportation recently proposed adding four commonly abused opioids to the list of drugs that drivers must be screened for in urine analysis tests.

The drugs — commonly prescribed for pain — proposed to be added include:

• hydrocodone
• oxycodone
• oxymorphone
• hydromorphone

Adding these substances to its drug testing protocol would bring the DOT up to date with new Health and Human Services guidelines. The HHS says opioid use — including heroin — has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. It says that 3,900 Americans begin non-medical use of prescription opioids every day.

The HHS mandatory guidelines were published Jan. 23, and are and scheduled to take effect in October.

There’s no date set for when the proposed changes would take effect.

Public comments will be accepted on the proposed change until March 24.

Read the DOT’s full notice and file a comment on the changes.