Legal Alcohol Limit Recommended to be lowered to BAC .05

Have you heard?  The National Safety Transportation is recommending to lower the blood alcohol limit for DUI form .08 to .05.  

That wouldn't a first.  In Europe many countries already have a lower limit and in some cases they are discussion .00 limit.  Then on the other hand, get this, in Ireland they are discussing allowing significantly higher limits in rural areas.  The argument is that older people get lonely in their remote homes and a few pints once in while in the local pup would be good for the social fabric..... Go figure

Mt. Kisco Drug Take Back Day

Saturday’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day was an even bigger success than last year.  We had a fantastic turn-out in Mt Kisco - Over 200 pounds of drugs were collected. 

"This is an excellent way to prevent the abuse of left over prescription drug.  This abuse unfortunately has been leading young adults to become addicted to heroine. Prescription drugs are an entry drug to hard core drugs such as heroine" Michael Gedigk of  USA MDT  
 
Check out the entire story
Mt Kisco Daily Voice

The Issue of Drug Testing Those Receiving Welfare

Drug testing is something that has become commonplace in our American society. However, an issue that has not had as much media attention or focus in the issue of drug testing for government assistance. An interesting article has published yesterday reporting that another appeal for Florida Governor's Rick Scott plan to continue drug testing for those receiving benefits for those needed to support children.

The state instituted the practice in July 2011. However, it was suspended and stopped just three months later. An interesting issue is raised by this practice and the decision to stop the drug testing of those receiving the assistance. The issue has to with privacy and the rights of the fourth amendment, which states that all citizens have a right against unreasonable search and seizures.

This is an interesting point of this topic, but one that equally important is the issue of making sure the money is spent where it needs to be and on those who need it. The argument for this is that drug testing allows the government to make sure the money is not being spent on drugs. While in some instances this may seem an extreme way to make sure people are spending the money meant for welfare reasons properly, it is also one that does its job.

It does, however, beg the question of privacy and true welfare for the child. For this type of assistance not giving the parent the money to support the child when needed could hurt the child more. This is a very complex issue and has been shut down for now, but it seems a plausible reason for making sure the money is spent properly. Granted it does not tell the government much else than a person may have been using illegal narcotics, but that indicator is something that could allow for some other type of help. It seems invasive for many reasons. However, the funds are granted based on application. The people who receive this money join these programs voluntarily in many respects.

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Fighting Frivolous Worker's Compensation Claims

There has been a big issue regarding worker's compensation claims that has rarely been addressed, that is frivolous worker's compensations claims that have no basis for payment. An interesting fact is that it used to be the burden of the employer to prove that the accident did or did not happen because of the workplace. A new development has given employers new abilities to better enforce worker's compensation claims and to make sure each one is not based off the mistake of the worker while intoxicated in any form.

The Illinois Compensation act was recently amended to essentially reverse what has become the norm of worker's compensation. That norm is that the burden of proof has been on the employer, but the new statute in Illinois has made it the burden of the employee to prove the accident that happened was not their fault if they had a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher or if there were traces of illegal narcotics in their system. This is an important step that has come to fruition which allows employers better protect themselves against such claims.

What people should take from this is not that every claim made by workers is bogus, because in many instances the company the person works for is liable. However, things are changing to where the worker must now prove their case. This particular example is something companies should begin looking into as it may help them save money they would otherwise lose.

You can read the new amendment for yourself through this link here.

It is, however, quite long so may just want to skim it or not read it at all. It is, however, a win for employers.

Michael Gedigk Inducted into the Rotary Club of Larchmont

Our very own Michael Gedigk, owner of USA Mobile Drug Testing of Westchester, was inducted into the Rotary Club of Larchmont (RCL) on December 14th, 2012.

Michael was the 7th new member of RCL in 2012, which continues to grow every year. It's wonderful to see part of USA MDT in the local Rotary Club because it shows just how invested we are in community affairs. In fact, Michael is always eager to meet local business people and families. It helps him tailor his business goals to what people actually want, which makes the entire company a local business.

Michael Gedigk, one of the newest members of the Rotary Club of Larchmont.

5 Reasons to Start a Drug-Free Workplace Policy Today

Often, business owners and employers think that drug-free workplace policies just aren't for them. They don't have a problem, they don't need to go through such a fuss, and really, they just think it's unnecessary.

But, there's no way to know if you have a problem without implement a drug-free workplace policy to begin with. Unless you spend every minute of every day with your employees, there's no way to know for sure that they aren't drinking before work, doing drugs on the weekend, or popping pills on the job.

Granted, most of your employees are probably clean and sober. You never know, though, unless you set up a drug-free workplace policy.

Happy New Year from USA MDT!

Here's to a Drug-Free 2013!

Well, 2012 held some crazy twists and turns. Most of all, we're glad it didn't all end on December 21st. Now that we're on the other side of 2012 and now have to start writing 2013 on our forms, we're looking forward to all that brings. 

That includes more conferences, educational events, blog posts, newsletters, social media madness, workplace drug prevention, and of course, even more ways to make the lives of employers and employees around the country easier.