-- Lowest levels since 1988 --
-- Significant decline in use of amphetamines and marijuana continues trend
from previous year -- LYNDHURST, N.J., March 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A continued decline in
drug positivity for the amphetamine class of drugs among safety-sensitive
workers, coupled with a decrease in positive marijuana drug test results among
the general U.S. workforce, drove workplace drug use to a new low in 2006.
These were the main findings of the annual Drug Testing Index(R) released
today by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading
provider of employment-related drug testing services.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/quest/27128
The 2006 Drug Testing Index showed that positivity for amphetamines
(positive test results for amphetamine and methamphetamine as a percent of all
tests for the substance) declined 20 percent to hit to a new low level among
federally mandated, safety-sensitive workers - 0.28 percent, down from 0.35
percent in 2005. Among the general workforce, positivity for amphetamines
declined 12.5 percent - from 0.48 percent in 2005 to 0.42 percent in 2006. In
addition, the number of positive tests for marijuana, as a percent of the
total number of tests for the drug, was down 6.3 percent among the U.S.
general workforce compared to 2005 - to 2.38 percent from 2.54 percent. The
2006 Drug Testing Index summarizes the results of more than nine million
workplace drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics between January and
December 2006.
Overall, the testing data indicated that drug use by employees and
applicants fell to the lowest level since Quest Diagnostics began publishing
the Drug Testing Index in 1988. Of all urine workplace drug tests performed by
Quest Diagnostics during 2006 for the combined U.S. workforce, 3.8 percent had
positive results, compared to 4.1 percent in 2005 and 13.6 percent in 1988.
"We believe this continued decline in workforce drug positivity may be
driven by two factors: increased employer vigilance about the impact of
workplace drug abuse on liability and the cost of decreased productivity, and
the possibility that those who abuse drugs may tend to avoid employment at
companies that actively conduct drug testing," said Barry Sample, Ph.D.,
Director of Science and Technology for Quest Diagnostics' Employer Solutions
division.
Data from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
presented by the Department of Health and Human Services supports the idea
that drug testing is a deterrent to employee drug use. The survey found that
individuals whose employers do not have a drug testing program reported a
nearly 50 percent higher incidence of illicit drug use, in the previous 30
days, compared to those with drug testing programs - 7.1 percent compared to
10.5 percent.(1)
Last year, prompted by strong interest from the White House Office of
National Drug Control Policy, Quest Diagnostics performed a preliminary review
of drug-test positives for amphetamines for the first five months in 2006.
Those preliminary results were consistent with the annual 2006 findings.
Between January and May 2006, drug-test positives for amphetamines among
general U.S. workforce employees - totaling 0.43 percent of all drug tests
identifying use of amphetamines - declined 10 percent compared to 2005. Among
federally mandated, safety-sensitive workers, the positivity rate for
amphetamines also was consistent with annual results, declining 20 percent
during the same period and tallying 0.28 percent of all drug tests that look
for amphetamines use.
Amphetamines belong to a category of drugs known as stimulants, which are
used by individuals to increase alertness, relieve fatigue and feel stronger
and more decisive.(2) Amphetamines include the drugs amphetamine,
dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine, and their variations. Methamphetamine
is typically produced clandestinely for illicit use.
Color graphics of the Drug Testing Index, including regional maps that
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 the Drug Testing Index
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. It examines positivity rates - the proportion of
positive results for each drug to all such drug tests performed - 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.
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 2006 Form 10-K and subsequent SEC filings.
(1) U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. NATIONAL SURVEY ON
DRUG USE AND HEALTH, 2005 [Computer file]. ICPSR04596-v1. Research Triangle
Park, NC: Research Triangle Institute [producer], 2006. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-
university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2006-
11-16.
(2) 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)
1-201-393-5700
both of Quest Diagnostics
Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com