Truck Drivers Failing Opioid Testing

TYLER and LONGVIEW, Texas. In response to the opioid epidemic that has been rattling America, the U.S. Department of Transportation began testing truck drivers and transportation workers for four types of synthetic opioids. According to CD Life, the U.S. Department of Transportation began testing for hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone. According to the Washington Post, the number of failed drug tests among truck drivers, commercial pilots, railroad operators, and pipeline workers has increased by 77 percent.

According to the New York Times, 72,000 people died of opioid overdoses in 2017. The death toll from opioid use has exceeded car accidents, H.I.V. deaths, and gun deaths. It also isn’t clear whether the government’s estimates of the number of people who are affected by addiction are accurate. As many as 2.1 million people have opioid use disorders, but the actual number is believed to be higher because many people may not be willing to admit they have a problem due to the stigma attached to substance abuse disorders. Others may not be seeking help or may have problems accessing the help they need.

Most dangerous is the availability and use of fentanyl. Fentanyl can be found in black-market drugs. However, fentanyl is produced in the laboratory and it can be incredibly powerful. When taken in combination of other drugs, it can be deadly.

While the government has been working to get fentanyl off the streets and to help those impacted by the opioid crisis, many individuals continue to fall through the cracks. Truck drivers can be a vulnerable population. Because they cross state lines, it may be harder for officials to track their using patterns. Truck drivers are more able to have suppliers in different states as a result. The stressful life on the road, combined with isolation, loneliness, and the pressure of driving can also make it difficult for drivers to get the help they need. Short of failing a drug test, it is possible that truck drivers might spend many months on the road, taking dangerous and deadly drugs.

When drivers operate trucks while under the influence, they put themselves and others in danger. Opioid drugs, when taken in excess, can impact a person’s alertness and coordination. Other illegal substances can also impact a person’s ability to drive a truck.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident and you believe the driver may have been under the influence of drugs, you may have certain rights under the law. Victims of truck accidents may have the right to seek damages for their medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Cooper Law Firm are Tyler, Texas truck accident lawyers who work closely with victims and their families to help them seek the damages they may deserve after a crash. When victims and families hold truck drivers and truck companies accountable for their actions, they send a strong message to the trucking industry: drug abuse among truck drivers will not be tolerated. Visit the Cooper Law Firm today to learn more about your rights and options.

Cooper Law Firm
501 N Third St, Longview, TX 75601
Telephone: (903) 297-0037