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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is increasing the minimum annual percentage rate for random controlled substances testing for truck drivers.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — A proposed federal rule that would allow motor carriers to drug test their drivers and prospective employees using hair samples continues to wind its way slowly through the bureaucracy, but could be made public as soon as early next year.

The Department of Health and Human Services has established scientific and technical guidelines for the inclusion of oral fluid specimens for use in the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance will continue to urge government officials, including those recently elected, to establish a drug and alcohol testing program.

A report sent to Congress earlier this summer said that the reason for a nearly three-year delay in developing a proposed hair drug-testing rule was caused by such “unresolved scientific issues” as hair color and potential external contamination of hair that could adversely affect drug test outcomes.

For the second time in about four years, Congress has asked drug agencies if federal workers, including truck drivers, should be tested for fentanyl, which is used legally for pain and illegally for its high.

Last month, drug-testing firm Quest Diagnostics scientist Barry Sample had a serious warning for U.S. employers: Be on the lookout for marijuana use by your workers. It’s on the rise.

ROCKVILLE, Md. ­­­— A hair drug-testing proposed rule has been sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review, a top official with the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said at a meeting June 11.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A top Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration official updated truckers on the agency’s efforts to mitigate parking problems and the obligations for drivers as the agency moves toward implementation of the drug and alcohol clearinghouse rule.