July 25, 2008
Did you know...?
Kansas City area is failing when tested for drugs
A recent study shows that positive drug tests at the workplace have decreased across the country. Not so in Kansas City. Kansas City area residents are more likely to test positive for a broad range of illegal drugs than those tested nationwide according to employee testing results.
Statistics suggest the Kansas City area has a drug culture that has a robust appetite for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and other illicit drugs. Quest Diagnostics, a firm that conducts more than 8 million employee drug tests a year of which approximately 65,000 are done locally, compiled the data and released it recently to The Kansas City Star
Some findings from the statistics (for the Kansas City area) include:
· Positive Cocaine tests remained steady between 2006 & 2007 (but 30% higher than national average)
· Positive Marijuana tests have increased significantly in Kansas City over the past year despite decreasing substantially across the nation (60% higher positive test rate in KC versus national average)
· Positive PCP tests have increased significantly in KC between 2005 & 2007 confirming that the region is a hot spot for PCP (Kansas Citians are 80% more likely to test positive for PCP than the national average)
The data did provide some good news for the KC area too. Positive methamphetamine tests declined between 2005 & 2007 (positive amphetamine tests remained steady while positive meth tests dropped 30%). Still, the Kansas City area appears resistant to larger drug-use trends apparent elsewhere in the nation.
In March, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy pointed to Quest Diagnostics data that showed a national decline in positive cocaine tests (19%) among US workers from 2006 to 2007. Positive cocaine tests in Kansas City remained steady during this same time period despite evidence that 36 US cities including KC had sustained a cocaine shortage during the first half of 2007.
Despite increasing drug prices and declining drug purity, Kansas City area residents appeared to have little trouble finding cocaine. Of all cities reporting data, the KC area had the highest increase in positive cocaine screens (almost 46% in 2007). By contrast, positive cocaine tests in Detroit (a city riddled by crime and drugs) declined 46 percent.
The Quest data mirrors data from other studies such as the 2006 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration which found that Jackson County's estimated drug use was higher than Missouri, the Midwest and national averages.
Research suggests that Kansas City fares so poorly on these drug surveys because a ready supply of illegal drugs is available in the KC area. A 2008 report from the National Drug Intelligence Center noted that Kansas City is a significant consumer market with excellent transportation resources. Also, Kansas City serves as a major shipping point for drugs and money to narcotics markets throughout the nation.
Kansas City does however fare well in addressing drug problems because of the many resources for treatment and diversion programs. Some suggest that the statistics reflect a local culture that's serious about identifying drug abuse but needs more resources for prevention and treatment. The high number of positive tests may be an indicator that employers are getting serious about testing and investing in programs to deal with drug issues employees are facing.
To keep employees safe Kansas City needs to have a more focused effort on prevention and intervention and that is where employers can help. Drug testing for new hires is one step. Conducting drug testing randomly, in cases of reasonable suspicion and for cause (in the event of an accident or injury) is another step. Providing intervention programs to employees who may have a problem is also an integral step to keeping employees safe.
To learn more about how OHS-COMPCARE can help your employer with Drug Testing programs contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
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To learn more about
services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
Team at (816) 561-2105 option 1 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
Why choose us? Because OHS-COMPCARE offers nationwide coverage.
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |