AMSA favors mandatory drug testing guidelines

Nov. 16, 2001
In comments submitted to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, the American Moving and Storage Assn. has come out strongly in favor of mandatory drug testing guidelines for truck drivers, to prevent the potential for tampering with required urine drug tests. "As operators of commercial motor vehicles on public highways, AMSA’s members recognize the responsibility they shoulder to ensure that they
In comments submitted to the Dept. of Health and Human Services, the American Moving and Storage Assn. has come out strongly in favor of mandatory drug testing guidelines for truck drivers, to prevent the potential for tampering with required urine drug tests.

"As operators of commercial motor vehicles on public highways, AMSA’s members recognize the responsibility they shoulder to ensure that they hire and contract with drivers who satisfy prescribed physical qualifications,” said Joseph M. Harrison, the lobbying group’s president.

Harrison said it is vital that the initial and periodic drug and alcohol tests required of truck drivers are not compromised. He added that commercial vehicle drivers are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, and return-to-duty testing to insure their quality and competence to operate on public highways.

Examples of tampering are varied, Harrison noted. Drivers may attempt to adulterate a specimen by adding to the urine a chemical substance designed to mask or destroy the drug or drug metabolite that the specimen is thought to contain, or the assay reagent used to identify a drug or drug metabolite. Sometimes drivers simply substitute a suspect specimen with a sample thought to be drug-free, he said.

"The proposal to adopt uniform validation standards when urine specimens are collected addresses a concern shared by many motor carriers and is one that AMSA welcomes," Harrison said. "We enthusiastically support the proposal that all urine samples collected pursuant to a federal workplace drug testing program be subjected to validity testing, and handled in a uniform, prescribed and predictable manner."

AMSA, based in Alexandria, VA, represents van lines and other carriers involved in the moving industry.

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr | Editor in Chief

Sean reports and comments on trends affecting the many different strata of the trucking industry -- light and medium duty fleets up through over-the-road truckload, less-than-truckload, and private fleet operations Also be sure to visit Sean's blog Trucks at Work where he offers analysis on a variety of different topics inside the trucking industry.

Sponsored Recommendations

Stop Sweating Temperature Excursions

Advanced chemical indicators give you the peace of mind that comes from reliable insights into your supply chains. Compromised shipments can be identified the moment they arrive...

How Electric Vehicles Help You Prolong the Life of Your Fleet

Before adopting electric vehicles for commercial/government fleets, prioritize cost inquiries. Maintenance is essential; understand the upkeep of EV fleets. Here’s what you need...

How to Choose the Right Route Planning Solution

This free buyer's guide will help equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to analyze route planning software and vendors in the market and, ultimately, make an informed...

How to Put Your Trucking Data to Work

How fleets can overcome data overload to optimize operations and get ahead.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!