The proportion of drug- test positives for amphetamines increased among workers subject to federal testing regulations, while overall drug-test positives decreased among all U.S. workers in the first half of 2005, according to the semi-annual Drug Testing Index® released today by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated , the leading provider of employer drug testing services in the United States.
The Drug Testing Index summarizes the results of workplace drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics between January and June 2005. 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.
For federally-mandated, safety-sensitive employees, the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines increased by approximately 13%, reaching 0.35% of all drug tests that look for the use of amphetamines among this group of workers. Between January and December 2004 amphetamines positivity was 0.31%.(1) Growth in amphetamines positivity in the first half of 2005 represents the largest increase in amphetamines positivity among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers documented by the Drug Testing Index. Previously, between 2003 and 2004 the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines increased by 6%.
Overall, the drug positivity rate for the combined U.S. workforce declined to 4.3% in the first half of 2005 from 4.5% in 2004. The decline was driven by a decline in positive marijuana drug test results among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers and the general U.S. workforce. The positivity rate is the number of positive test results compared to the total number of drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics. From January to June 2005, Quest Diagnostics performed more than 3.6 million drug tests.
"Until the first half of 2005, most of the growth in amphetamines positivity had been limited to the general U.S. workforce," said Barry Sample, Ph.D., Director of Science and Technology for Quest Diagnostics' Employer Solutions division. "Now we are seeing larger increases in amphetamines use among safety-sensitive workers. At the same time, marijuana drug-test positives are declining among all workers, causing an overall decline in drug- test positivity. This decrease may be a result of lower marijuana use among these workers; however, it may also be the result of the increased use of devices designed to subvert the drug testing process. Congress has recently taken up the important issue of cheating on workplace drug tests, since holding hearings last May.(2)"
Among general U.S. workforce employees, the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines dropped by 4% between January and June 2005, marking the first decline in amphetamines drug-test positivity among this group of workers since 1998. The incidence of positive drug tests attributed to amphetamines reached 0.50% of all drug tests that look for the use of amphetamines among these workers. During 2004 amphetamines positivity was 0.52%.
The incidence of positive drug tests attributed to marijuana among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive employees and the general U.S. workforce decreased by approximately 8% between January and June 2005. Among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive employees, the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to marijuana dropped to 1.15% of all drug tests that look for the presence of marijuana among these workers. During 2004, marijuana positivity was 1.25%.
Among general U.S. workforce employees, the incidence of positive drug tests attributed to marijuana dropped to 2.65% from 2.88% in 2004. The reduction in marijuana positivity represents a continuing decline in both federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers and the general U.S. workforce, documented by the Drug Testing Index during the past four and one-half years. During this period, marijuana positivity decreased by 33% among federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers and 16% among general U.S. workforce employees.
During the first half of 2005, the drug positivity rate for federally-mandated, safety-sensitive workers remained unchanged at 2.3% from 2004, while the drug positivity rate for the general U.S. workforce declined to 4.7% from 4.9% in 2004.
Color graphics of the Drug Testing Index, including regional maps which show positivity rates by type of drug, are available online at www.questdiagnostics.com to provide more localized workplace drug test data.
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 2004 Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
Annual Positivity Rates
(For Combined U.S. Workforce)
(More than 3.6 million tests from January to June 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%
January - June 2005 4.3%
Positivity Rates By Testing Category
Testing Category Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Federally Mandated,
Safety-Sensitive
Workforce 2.3% 2.3% 2.5% 2.5% 2.9%
General U.S.
Workforce 4.7% 4.9% 5.0% 4.8% 4.9%
Combined U.S.
Workforce 4.3% 4.5% 4.5% 4.4% 4.6%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For Federally Mandated, Safety Sensitive Workforce)
(More than 600,000 tests from January to June 2005)
Testing Reason Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Follow-Up 3.1% 3.3% 3.4% 3.8% 4.3%
For Cause 13.0% 14.1% 13.8% 14.3% 14.4%
Periodic 0.6% 0.51% 0.75% 0.95% 1.1%
Post-Accident 2.8% 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 3.1% 2.9% 2.8% 3.4% 3.5%
Positivity Rates By Testing Reason
(For General U.S. Workforce)
(More than 3.0 million tests from January to June 2005)
Testing Reason Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Follow-Up 10.0% 10.0% 9.6% 10.3% 11.3%
For Cause 28.9% 27.8% 28.2% 25.9% 26.1%
Periodic 2.4% 1.9% 2.2% 2.7% 3.4%
Post-Accident 5.7% 5.7% 5.7% 5.9% 6.0%
Pre-Employment 3.9% 4.1% 4.1% 4.3% 4.4%
Random 7.1% 7.1% 6.6% 6.5% 7.0%
Returned to Duty 6.1% 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)
(More than 600,000 tests from January to June 2005)
Drug Category Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Amphetamines 0.35% 0.31% 0.29% 0.28% 0.29%
Cocaine 0.56% 0.57% 0.59% 0.56% 0.60%
Marijuana 1.15% 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%
Oxidizing
Adulterants
(incl.
Nitrites) 0.00% 0.02% 0.03% 0.05% 0.05%
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 3.0 million tests from January to June 2005)
Drug Category Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Amphetamines 0.50% 0.52% 0.49% 0.34% 0.29%
Barbiturates 0.25% 0.27% 0.29% 0.30% 0.34%
Benzodiazepines 0.56% 0.58% 0.60% 0.58% 0.60%
Cocaine 0.71% 0.72% 0.74% 0.71% 0.69%
Marijuana 2.65% 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 0.01% 0.01% 0.03% 0.02% 0.02%
Propoxyphene 0.54% 0.63% 0.67% 0.73% 0.52%
Oxidizing
Adulterants (incl.
Nitrites) 0.00% 0.01% 0.02% 0.05% 0.05%
Substitution 0.01% 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 600,000 tests from January to June 2005)
Drug Category Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Acid/Base 0.26% 0.32% 0.37% 0.45% 0.32%
Amphetamines 14.7% 12.7% 11.4% 10.8% 9.6%
Cocaine 23.5% 23.2% 22.7% 21.1% 20.0%
Marijuana 50.1% 52.4% 53.6% 56.0% 58.3%
Opiates 7.6% 7.1% 7.4% 7.3% 8.5%
Oxidizing
Adulterants (incl.
Nitrites) 0.09% 0.42% 0.52% 0.90% 0.82%
PCP 1.7% 1.4% 1.7% 1.5% 1.7%
Substituted 2.0% 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 3.0 million tests from January to June 2005)
Drug Category Jan - June 2004 2003 2002 2001
2005
Acid/Base 0.07% 0.11% 0.16% 0.25% 0.23%
Amphetamines 10.2% 10.0% 9.0% 6.7% 5.5%
Barbiturates 2.7% 2.7% 2.8% 2.9% 3.2%
Benzodiazepines 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.0% 5.0%
Cocaine 14.4% 13.8% 13.8% 13.9% 13.2%
Marijuana 54.0% 55.0% 55.0% 57.7% 60.9%
Methadone 1.9% 1.7% 1.6% 1.2% 0.98%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.5% 6.1% 6.3% 5.3% 5.5%
Oxidizing
Adulterants (incl.
Nitrites) 0.00% 0.05% 0.16% 0.48% 0.51%
PCP 0.28% 0.28% 0.51% 0.47% 0.46%
Propoxyphene 4.5% 4.9% 5.0% 5.6% 4.0%
Substituted 0.27% 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 3.6 million tests from January to June 2005)
Drug Category 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
Acid/Base 0.09% 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 4.6% 4.5% 4.7% 4.5% 4.5%
Cocaine 15.2% 14.7% 14.6% 14.6% 13.9%
Marijuana 53.7% 54.8% 54.9% 57.6% 60.6%
Methadone 1.7% 1.5% 1.4% 1.1% 0.88%
Methaqualone 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Opiates 6.6% 6.2% 6.4% 5.5% 5.8%
Oxidizing
Adulterants (incl.
Nitrites) 0.01% 0.09% 0.19% 0.52% 0.54%
PCP 0.40% 0.38% 0.61% 0.58% 0.59%
Propoxyphene 4.1% 4.4% 4.5% 5.1% 3.5%
Substituted 0.43% 0.66% 0.73% 0.68% 0.51%
(1) The Drug Testing Index does not differentiate between drug abuse and
legitimate drug use.
(2) http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/05172005hearing1525/hearing.htm
SOURCE: Quest Diagnostics
CONTACT: Jennifer Somers (Media), +1-201-729-8386, or Laure Park
(Investors), +1-201-393-5030, both of Quest Diagnostics
Web site: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/