- Drug Use Among Workers Declines to 17-year Low in 2005 -
LYNDHURST, N.J., June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amphetamines use, which
includes amphetamine and methamphetamine, declined significantly among general
U.S. workforce employees during 2005, according to the semi-annual Drug
Testing Index, released today by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX),
the leading provider of employer drug testing services in the United States.
The findings were based on the results of more than 7.3 million workplace drug
tests performed by Quest Diagnostics around the country during 2005. The Drug
Testing Index compares positivity rates for various drugs by calculating the
proportion of positive results for each drug to the total number of drug tests
performed.
The Drug Testing Index is published as a public service for government,
media and industry and has been considered a benchmark for national trends
since its inception in 1988. The 2005 Drug Testing Index summarizes the
results of workplace drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics between January
and December 2005. It 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.
In 2005, the incidence of amphetamines drug-test positives declined 8% to
0.48% of all drug tests of general U.S. workforce employees that identify
amphetamines use. During 2004 amphetamines drug-test positives were 0.52%.
Among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers, the positivity rate for
amphetamines rose by 13% to 0.35% in 2005 from 0.31% in 2004.
Prompted by strong interest from the White House Office of National Drug
Control Policy, Quest Diagnostics performed a preliminary review of
amphetamines drug-test positives for the first five months in 2006. Between
January and May 2006, amphetamines drug-test positives among general U.S.
workforce employees declined by 10% versus 2005, reaching 0.43% of all drug
tests that identify amphetamines use. Among federally-mandated, safety-
sensitive workers, the positivity rate for amphetamines declined by 20% during
the 2006 period reaching 0.28% of all drug tests that look for amphetamines
use.
Among a large group of general U.S. workforce employees, the incidence of
methamphetamine positives of all drug tests that look for amphetamines,
declined from 0.33% in 2004 to 0.26% in 2005 and to 0.18% in the first five
months of 2006. Compared to 2005, this represents a 31% decrease in the first
five months of 2006, and a 45% decrease since 2004. For federally-mandated,
safety-sensitive workers, the incidence of methamphetamine drug-test positives
declined by 28% during the first five months of 2006, compared to 2005,
reaching 0.18% of all drug tests that look for amphetamines. Amphetamines
positivity in the first five months of 2006 is at its lowest point since 2002-
2003 among general U.S. workforce employees and federally-mandated, safety-
sensitive workers.
Amphetamines belong to a category of drugs known as stimulants, which are
used by individuals to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and
more decisive.(1) Amphetamines include the drugs amphetamine,
dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine and their various salts. Chemical
properties and actions of these individual drugs are very similar.
Methamphetamine is typically produced clandestinely for illicit use.
"During 2005 we detected a downward trend in amphetamines positive test
results in the general U.S. workforce and in 2006 the trend took hold among
all U.S. workers," said Barry Sample, Ph.D., Director of Science and
Technology for Quest Diagnostics' Employer Solutions division. "In the first
five months of 2006 amphetamines drug-test positives declined to a three-and-
a-half year low among both groups, driven by significant declines in
methamphetamine drug-test positives. This finding could reflect the increased
efforts by federal, state and local authorities to shut down clandestine
methamphetamine laboratories."
Overall, the testing data indicated that workplace drug use fell to the
lowest level since Quest Diagnostics began publishing the Drug Testing Index
in 1988. Of all tests for all drugs performed by Quest Diagnostics during
2005 for the combined U.S. workforce, 4.1% had positive results, compared to
4.5% in 2004 and 13.6% in 1988. A significant decline in positive marijuana
drug test results among all U.S. workers drove the decline. Use of marijuana
among U.S. workers, as measured by positive drug test results, decreased by
approximately 12% in 2005 among all categories of workers compared to 2004.
Color graphics of the Drug Testing Index, including regional maps which
show positivity rates by type of drug, are available on-line at
www.questdiagnostics.com to provide more localized workplace drug test data.
The Drug Testing Index is released every six months as a service for
government, media and industry, and is considered a benchmark for national
trends.
About Quest Diagnostics
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 healthcare information technology
solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is
available at: 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 2005 Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings.
The Drug Testing Index(C) 2006 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. All rights
reserved.
Annual Positivity Rates
(For Combined U.S. Workforce)
(More than 7.3 million tests from January to December 2005)
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%
2005 4.1%
Positivity Rates By Testing Category
Testing Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Federally Mandated,
Safety-Sensitive Workforce 2.3% 2.3% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9%
General U.S. Workforce 4.5% 4.9% 5.0% 4.8% 4.9%
Combined U.S. Workforce 4.1% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.6%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For Federally Mandated, Safety Sensitive Workforce)
(Approximately 1.3 million tests from January to December 2005)
Testing Reason 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Follow-Up 3.1% 3.3% 3.4% 3.8% 4.3%
For Cause 13.4% 14.1% 13.8% 14.3% 14.4%
Periodic 0.8% 0.51% 0.75% 0.95% 1.1%
Post-Accident 3.0% 2.9% 3.1% 3.3% 3.6%
Pre-Employment 2.6% 2.7% 2.9% 2.9% 3.4%
Random 1.8% 1.8% 1.9% 1.9% 2.2%
Returned to Duty 3.0% 2.9% 2.8% 3.4% 3.5%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For General U.S. Workforce)
(More than 6.0 million tests from January to December 2005)
Testing Reason 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Follow-Up 9.6% 10.0% 9.6% 10.3% 11.3%
For Cause 28.3% 27.8% 28.2% 25.9% 26.1%
Periodic 2.4% 1.9% 2.2% 2.7% 3.4%
Post-Accident 5.8% 5.7% 5.7% 5.9% 6.0%
Pre-Employment 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.3% 4.4%
Random 6.6% 7.1% 6.6% 6.5% 7.0%
Returned to Duty 6.0% 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.3%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Federally Mandated, Safety-Sensitive Workforce, as a percentage of
all such tests)
(Approximately 1.3 million tests from January to December 2005)
Drug/SVT Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Amphetamines 0.35% 0.31% 0.29% 0.28% 0.29%
Cocaine 0.60% 0.57% 0.59% 0.56% 0.60%
Marijuana 1.10% 1.25% 1.34% 1.44% 1.72%
Opiates 0.18% 0.17% 0.19% 0.19% 0.26%
PCP 0.04% 0.04% 0.04% 0.04% 0.05%
Invalid 0.12% 0.08% 0.08% 0.06% N/A
Oxidizing 0.00% 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.05%
Adulterants
(incl. Nitrites)
Substitution 0.05% 0.06% 0.06% 0.05% 0.02%
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 2005)
Drug/SVT Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Amphetamines 0.48% 0.52% 0.49% 0.34% 0.29%
Barbiturates 0.25% 0.27% 0.29% 0.30% 0.34%
Benzodiazepines 0.58% 0.58% 0.60% 0.58% 0.60%
Cocaine 0.70% 0.72% 0.74% 0.71% 0.69%
Marijuana 2.54% 2.88% 2.96% 2.98% 3.17%
Methadone 0.23% 0.21% 0.20% 0.16% 0.13%
Opiates 0.32% 0.32% 0.34% 0.27% 0.29%
PCP 0.02% 0.01% 0.03% 0.02% 0.02%
Propoxyphene 0.57% 0.63% 0.67% 0.73% 0.52%
Invalid 0.16% 0.10% 0.10% 0.09% N/A
Oxidizing 0.00% 0.01% 0.02% 0.05% 0.05%
Adulterants
(incl. Nitrites)
Substitution 0.01% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03% 0.03%
Amphetamines Positivity Rates 2002-2006
(For General U.S. Workforce [GW] and Federally Mandated, Safety-Sensitive
Workforce [FMSS], as a percentage of all such tests)
Test Drug Category Jan-May 2005 2004 2003 2002
Group 2006
GW Amphetamines 0.43% 0.48% 0.52% 0.49% 0.34%
FMSS Amphetamines 0.28% 0.35% 0.31% 0.29% 0.28%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Federally Mandated, Safety-Sensitive Workers, as a Percentage of All
Positives)
(Approximately 1.3 million tests from January to December 2005)
Drug Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Acid/Base 0.27% 0.32% 0.37% 0.45% 0.32%
Amphetamines 14.8% 12.7% 11.4% 10.8% 9.6%
Cocaine 25.4% 23.2% 22.7% 21.1% 20.0%
Marijuana 47.8% 52.4% 53.6% 56.0% 58.3%
Opiates 7.7% 7.1% 7.4% 7.3% 8.5%
Oxidizing 0.06% 0.42% 0.52% 0.90% 0.82%
Adulterants
(incl. Nitrites)
PCP 1.8% 1.4% 1.7% 1.5% 1.7%
Substituted 2.3% 2.4% 2.3% 1.9% 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 2005)
Drug Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Acid/Base 0.06% 0.11% 0.16% 0.25% 0.23%
Amphetamines 10.1% 10.0% 9.0% 6.7% 5.5%
Barbiturates 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.9% 3.2%
Benzodiazepines 5.4% 5.0% 5.1% 5.0% 5.0%
Cocaine 14.7% 13.8% 13.8% 13.9% 13.2%
Marijuana 53.0% 55.0% 55.0% 57.7% 60.9%
Methadone 2.0% 1.7% 1.6% 1.2% 0.98%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.6% 6.1% 6.3% 5.3% 5.5%
Oxidizing 0.00% 0.05% 0.16% 0.48% 0.51%
Adulterants
(incl. Nitrites)
PCP 0.31% 0.28% 0.51% 0.47% 0.46%
Propoxyphene 4.9% 4.9% 5.0% 5.6% 4.0%
Substituted 0.26% 0.49% 0.58% 0.54% 0.48%
Positivity Rates By Drug Category
(For Combined U.S. Workforce, as a Percentage of All Positives)
(More than 7.3 million tests from January to December 2005)
Drug Category 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Acid/Base 0.08% 0.13% 0.18% 0.27% 0.24%
Amphetamines 10.6% 10.2% 9.3% 7.1% 5.9%
Barbiturates 2.5% 2.5% 2.5% 2.6% 2.9%
Benzodiazepines 4.9% 4.5% 4.7% 4.5% 4.5%
Cocaine 15.7% 14.7% 14.6% 14.6% 13.9%
Marijuana 52.5% 54.8% 54.9% 57.6% 60.6%
Methadone 1.8% 1.5% 1.4% 1.1% 0.88%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.7% 6.2% 6.4% 5.5% 5.8%
Oxidizing 0.01% 0.09% 0.19% 0.52% 0.54%
Adulterants
(incl. Nitrites)
PCP 0.45% 0.38% 0.61% 0.58% 0.59%
Propoxyphene 4.4% 4.4% 4.5% 5.1% 3.5%
Substituted 0.45% 0.66% 0.73% 0.68% 0.51%
(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/
SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
CONTACT: Laure Park, Investors, +1-201-393-5030, or Jennifer Somers,
Media, +1-201-729-8386, both for Quest Diagnostics