NCJ Number
126164
Date Published
1989
Length
10 pages
Annotation
As a result of Executive Order 12564, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was ordered to issue scientific and technical guidelines for the collection and laboratory analysis of urine samples as part of a drug-testing program for Federal employees in sensitive positions. A supplemental law mandated that the Department of Transportation (DOT), which had an ongoing drug-testing program, bring its program into full compliance with the HHS guidelines by July 10, 1988, only 90 days after the guidelines were issued.
Abstract
The HHS guidelines provide a quality assurance control that requires Federal agencies to submit blind performance test specimens to each contracting laboratory, perform open performance tests bimonthly, and conduct internal quality control programs at each laboratory. However, this report by the General Accounting Office (GAO), indicates that between July 10, 1988 and July 18, 1989, DOT had not complied with the quality assurance provisions of the HHS guidelines. Although DOT had collected 16,000 employee urine specimens for analysis (99 were confirmed positive for illegal drugs), the Department had not conducted blind performance tests which would establish that its laboratory was meeting all quality control standards. DOT's noncompliance demonstrates the need for continuing oversight and monitoring of Federal drug-testing programs. Since the GAO investigation, DOT officials have obtained the urine sample needed for blind performance tests and have begun to submit these samples. 4 notes and 1 appendix