GETTING TO KNOW BY TAMIKA CARTER, DATIA
Getting to Know: Peter Bensinger Bensinger, Dupont & Associates
During my session at the 2017 DATIA Conference, I hope attendees will gain a better understanding and knowledge of the political landscape on drugs under the Trump Administration. Additionally, they will gain a better understanding of existing conflicts between state and Federal laws and the implications for the drug testing industry.
What are the most important issues you see facing the drug and alcohol testing industry today?
Te industry and the public have been dealing with mixed messages on drugs since many states have legalized marijuana and abandoned strong prevention messages. While existing laws must be dealt with, the industry should anticipate a shiſt with the Trump Administration for more consistent law enforcement and respect for Federal law. As a result, regulatory agencies will introduce rules that are more consistent with existing Federal law. To be prepared, employers should review their drug policies and testing programs/procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.
Having served as DEA Administrator under three presidents, what steps do you think the current administration should take to eradicate the abuse of legal and illegal drugs?
I think the Administration should focus on supply reduction such as applying much greater diplomatic pressure on Mexico to eradicate opium fields. I also think the government should return to public service messages as was the case during the Ford and Reagan Administrations. While treatment and prevention are both important, providing funding for opioid overdose treatments (ie., Naloxone) is akin to looking for the horse aſter it has already leſt the barn. If Mexico increases the destruction of the opium poppy fields,
the amount of heroin crossing the U.S. border will decrease, the street prices will go up and the purity will go down. When this happened 40 years ago, overdose deaths and addiction were cut in half. Te Administration also needs to develop a plan to target hub cities where heroin is mass-distributed and continue to follow the money and forfeit the assets of the cartels who have invested in real estate, securities, and businesses using their ill- goten cash.
What advancements do you see in the drug and alcohol testing industry in the next five years?
I think we will see continued expansion of immediate reporting and digital transmission of results along with improved research on standards of impairment. It would be helpful for there to be a global consensus on drug testing programs, standards, and applications.
Tell us about your session at the DATIA Conference and what you hope attendees will gain by attending.
During my session at the 2017 DATIA Conference, I hope atendees will gain a beter understanding and knowledge of the political landscape on drugs under the Trump Administration. Additionally, they will gain a beter understanding of existing conflicts between state and Federal laws and the implications for the drug testing industry. Finally, I hope they will leave the session with the desire to have an influence on drug policy at the state and Federal levels. ❚
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datia focus
spring 2017
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