LYNDHURST, N.J., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- The use of amphetamines
among general workforce employees continued to grow in 2004, according to the
semi-annual Drug Testing Index(R) released today by Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the leading provider of employer drug testing
services in the United States.
Amphetamines use, which grew rapidly between 2000 and 2003, continued to
grow in 2004, although at a slower rate. Among general U.S. workforce
employees, the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines
rose by approximately 6% in 2004 from 2003, reaching 0.52% of all drug tests
that look for amphetamines among this group of workers. During 2003
amphetamines positivity was 0.49%. Between 2000 and 2003, year-over-year
growth rates for amphetamines positivity had been 16%, 17% and 44%,
respectively.
Among Federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers, the incidence of
positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines also grew by 6%, reaching 0.31%
of all drug tests that look for the use of amphetamines among these workers.
During 2003, amphetamines positivity was 0.29%.
"The use of amphetamines among workers continued to grow in 2004," said
Barry Sample, Ph.D., Director of Science and Technology for the Employer
Solutions division of Quest Diagnostics. "However amphetamines use among
workers grew at a slower pace, when compared to previous years."
Overall, the drug positivity rate for U.S. workers remained unchanged at
4.5% from 2003. The positivity rate is the number of positive test results
compared to the total number of drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics.
Quest Diagnostics performed more than 7.2 million workplace drug tests from
January to December 2004.
The Drug Testing Index summarizes the results of workplace drug tests
performed by Quest Diagnostics between January and December 2004. The Drug
Testing Index examines positivity rates among three major testing populations:
Federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers; the general workforce; and the
combined U.S. workforce. Federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers include
pilots, bus and truck drivers and workers in nuclear power plants, for whom
routine drug testing is mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
"As the nation's leading provider of employer drug testing we are pleased
to make this important information available to the public," said Surya N.
Mohapatra, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quest Diagnostics.
"Since 1988, government, employers and the healthcare industry have relied on
the Drug Testing Index to make important fact-based decisions about employees'
drug use and its impact in the workplace."
Methamphetamine, the most commonly abused type of amphetamine, is a potent
synthetic psychostimulant drug that is used by individuals to increase
alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and more decisive.(1) Consequences
of methamphetamine use include addiction, psychotic behavior and brain
damage,(2) and chronic use can cause violent behavior, anxiety, confusion,
insomnia, auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions and
paranoia.(3) Withdrawal symptoms include depression, anxiety, fatigue,
paranoia, and intense cravings.(4)
In an effort to address the social ramifications associated with
methamphetamine, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) aggressively
targets those who traffic in and produce methamphetamine, as well as those who
traffic in chemicals utilized to manufacture methamphetamine. During 2004,
successful investigation efforts focusing on methamphetamine and precursor
chemicals have dismantled and disrupted high-level methamphetamine trafficking
organizations, as well as dramatically reduced the amount of pseudoephedrine
entering the United States.(5)
During 2004, the drug positivity rate for Federally-mandated, safety-
sensitive workers decreased to 2.3% from 2.5% in 2003, while the drug
positivity rate for the general U.S. workforce declined to 4.9% from 5.0% in
2003.
Color graphics of the Drug Testing Index, including regional maps which
show positivity rates by type of drug, are available online at
http://www.questdiagnostics.com to provide more localized workplace drug test
data.
Quest Diagnostics is the leading provider of diagnostic testing,
information and services that patients and doctors need to make better
healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic
testing services through its national network of laboratories and patient
service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive
medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics is a pioneer in developing
innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced information technology solutions
that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available
at: http://www.questdiagnostics.com.
The statements in this press release which are not historical facts or
information may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and
outcomes to be materially different. Certain of these risks and uncertainties
may include, but are not limited to, competitive environment, changes in
government regulations, changing relationships with customers, payers,
suppliers and strategic partners and other factors described in the Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated 2004 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
Annual Positivity Rates
(For Combined U.S. Workforce)
(More than 7.2 million tests from January to December 2004)
Year Drug Positive Rate
1988 13.6%
1989 12.7%
1990 11.0%
1991 8.8%
1992 8.8%
1993 8.4%
1994 7.5%
1995 6.7%
1996 5.8%
1997 5.0%
1998 4.8%
1999 4.6%
2000 4.7%
2001 4.6%
2002 4.4%
2003 4.5%
2004 4.5%
Positivity Rates By Testing Category
Testing
Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Federally-
Mandated,
Safety-
Sensitive
Workforce 2.3% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9% 3.1%
General U.S.
Workforce 4.9% 5.0% 4.8% 4.9% 4.9%
Combined U.S.
Workforce 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.6% 4.7%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For Federally-Mandated, Safety-Sensitive Workforce)
(More than 1.2 million tests from January to December 2004)
Testing Reason 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Follow-Up 3.3% 3.4% 3.8% 4.3% 4.2%
For Cause 14.1% 13.8% 14.3% 14.4% 14.8%
Periodic 0.51% 0.75% 0.95% 1.1% 1.1%
Post-Accident 2.9% 3.1% 3.3% 3.6% 3.9%
Pre-Employment 2.7% 2.9% 2.9% 3.4% 3.6%
Random 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 2.2% 2.4%
Returned to Duty 2.9% 2.8% 3.4% 3.5% 3.8%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For General U.S. Workforce)
(More than 6.0 million tests from January to December 2004)
Testing Reason 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Follow-Up 10.0% 9.6% 10.3% 11.3% 10.8%
For Cause 27.8% 28.2% 25.9% 26.1% 25.7%
Periodic 1.9% 2.2% 2.7% 3.4% 4.4%
Post-Accident 5.7% 5.7% 5.9% 6.0% 5.9%
Pre-Employment 4.1% 4.1% 4.3% 4.4% 4.5%
Random 7.1% 6.6% 6.5% 7.0% 7.7%
Returned to Duty 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.3% 5.3%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Federally-Mandated, Safety-Sensitive Workforce, as a percentage of
all such tests)
(More than 1.2 million tests from January to December 2004)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Amphetamines 0.31% 0.29% 0.28% 0.29% 0.27%
Cocaine 0.57% 0.59% 0.56% 0.60% 0.64%
Marijuana 1.25% 1.34% 1.44% 1.72% 1.92%
Opiates 0.17% 0.19% 0.19% 0.26% 0.25%
PCP 0.04% 0.04% 0.04% 0.05% 0.06%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.05% 0.10%
Substitution 0.06% 0.06% 0.05% 0.02% 0.03%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For General U.S. Workforce, as a percentage of all such tests)
(More than 6.0 million tests from January to December 2004)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Amphetamines 0.52% 0.49% 0.34% 0.29% 0.25%
Barbiturates 0.27% 0.29% 0.30% 0.34% 0.38%
Benzodiazepines 0.58% 0.60% 0.58% 0.60% 0.55%
Cocaine 0.72% 0.74% 0.71% 0.69% 0.73%
Marijuana 2.88% 2.96% 2.98% 3.17% 3.29%
Methadone 0.21% 0.20% 0.16% 0.13% 0.13%
Opiates 0.32% 0.34% 0.27% 0.29% 0.27%
PCP 0.01% 0.03% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02%
Propoxyphene 0.63% 0.67% 0.73% 0.52% 0.36%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.01% 0.02% 0.05% 0.05% 0.10%
Substitution 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Federally-Mandated, Safety-Sensitive Workers, as a Percentage of All
Positives)
(More than 1.2 million tests from January to December 2004)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Acid/Base 0.32% 0.37% 0.45% 0.32% 0.16%
Amphetamines 12.7% 11.4% 10.8% 9.6% 8.3%
Cocaine 23.2% 22.7% 21.1% 20.0% 19.6%
Marijuana 52.4% 53.6% 56.0% 58.3% 60.2%
Opiates 7.1% 7.4% 7.3% 8.5% 7.8%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.42% 0.52% 0.90% 0.82% 1.4%
PCP 1.4% 1.7% 1.5% 1.7% 1.7%
Substituted 2.4% 2.3% 1.9% 0.77% 0.77%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For General U.S. Workforce, as a Percentage of All Positives)
(More than 6.0 million tests from January to December 2004)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Acid/Base 0.11% 0.16% 0.25% 0.23% 0.07%
Amphetamines 10.0% 9.0% 6.7% 5.5% 4.8%
Barbiturates 2.7% 2.8% 2.9% 3.2% 3.5%
Benzodiazepines 5.0% 5.1% 5.0% 5.0% 4.2%
Cocaine 13.8% 13.8% 13.9% 13.2% 13.9%
Marijuana 55.0% 55.0% 57.7% 60.9% 63.0%
Methadone 1.7% 1.6% 1.2% 0.98% 0.89%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.1% 6.3% 5.3% 5.5% 5.2%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.05% 0.16% 0.48% 0.51% 0.88%
PCP 0.28% 0.51% 0.47% 0.46% 0.45%
Propoxyphene 4.9% 5.0% 5.6% 4.0% 2.5%
Substituted 0.49% 0.58% 0.54% 0.48% 0.56%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Combined U.S. Workforce, as a Percentage of All Positives)
(More than 7.2 million tests from January to December 2004)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Acid/Base 0.13% 0.18% 0.27% 0.24% 0.08%
Amphetamines 10.2% 9.3% 7.1% 5.9% 5.1%
Barbiturates 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.9% 3.2%
Benzodiazepines 4.5% 4.7% 4.5% 4.5% 3.9%
Cocaine 14.7% 14.6% 14.6% 13.9% 14.4%
Marijuana 54.8% 54.9% 57.6% 60.6% 62.8%
Methadone 1.5% 1.4% 1.1% 0.88% 0.82%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.2% 6.4% 5.5% 5.8% 5.4%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.09% 0.19% 0.52% 0.54% 0.92%
PCP 0.38% 0.61% 0.58% 0.59% 0.56%
Propoxyphene 4.4% 4.5% 5.1% 3.5% 2.3%
Substituted 0.66% 0.73% 0.68% 0.51% 0.58%
(1) Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA's
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, Drug Category
Profile: Stimulants, http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo926/
(2) Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Facts:
Methamphetamine, May, 2002.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Ibid.
(5) Source: Statement of Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Chief, Office of
the Enforcement Operations Drug Enforcement Administration Before the
House of Government Reform Committee, Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, November 18, 2004
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
-0- 05/16/2005
/CONTACT: Laure Park (Investors), 201-393-5030, or Jennifer Somers
(Media), 201-729-8386, both of Quest Diagnostics /
/Web Site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo926/
(DGX)