US Coast Guard Drug Test Opelousas LA

Health Screenings USA provides U.S Coast Guard drug testing at testing centers in Opelousas LA and the local area, which will comply with all requirements of the U.S Coast Guard and Merchant Marines for obtaining or renewing a Captains License or other covered positions required by DOT regulations. Coast Guard drug testing Opelousas LA centers are located in most cases within minutes of your home or office.

To schedule a Coast Guard/Merchant Marine drug test, Call (800) 219-7161 or Online 24/7!

Health Screenings USA also provides form CG-719P in conjunction with the U.S Coast Guard drug test.

A Coast Guard drug test Opelousas LA service is a 5 panel DOT regulated drug test and requires a DOT Certified drug testing specialist to administer the Coast Guard drug test Opelousas LA procedures and insure that a Federal Chain of Custody form is used with the Coast Guard drug test Opelousas LA service.

All Coast Guard drug test Opelousas LA services are analyzed by SAMHSA Certified Laboratory and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) in accordance with U.S Coast Guard drug testing regulations.

The staff of Health Screenings USA is trained and certified in administering a Coast Guard drug test at all Opelousas LA locations and our Coast Guard drug testing Opelousas LA services are provided in a courteous and professional manner.

USCG Drug and Alcohol Testing

Pre-Employment Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer must conduct a drug test prior to employing any crewmember. The prospective employee must pass the test before employed, not merely take the test.

Pre-employment testing waivers – A prospective employee need not be tested if that person has proof that, within the previous six months, he/she passed any Coast Guard-required drug test, or has, during the previous six months, been subject to Coast Guard required random testing for at least 60 days and has not failed or refused a test. “Being subject to random testing” does not mean the individual has to have actually been tested, but has been eligible to be tested. An employer is not required to exempt prospective employees from pre-employment testing.

Random Drug Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer must establish a program for random drug testing of:

(1) crewmembers on inspected vessels who:

a. occupy a position, or perform the duties and functions of a position, required by the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection;
b. perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen required by Coast Guard regulations; or,
c. are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies.

(2) crewmembers on uninspected vessels who:

a. are required by law or regulation to hold a Coast Guard issued license to perform their duties;
b. perform duties and functions directly related to the safe operation of the vessel,
c. perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen required by Coast Guard regulations; or,
d. are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies.

Definition of Random

Random, for these regulations, means that each of the crewmembers has a substantially equal chance of being selected. An employer may randomly select vessels, rather than individuals, testing all applicable crewmembers. A crewmember’s substantially equal chance of selection must remain throughout their employment. This means that you cannot allow periods when an employee is “free” from chance of selection, or allow high-risk/low-risk selection periods to exist. The dates of testing must also be random. For example: randomly picking names each payday is not acceptable, because the date is predictable and the employees could “beat” the test.

Testing Rate – The annual rate of testing must not be less than 50%. No other tests, such as post accident, can be counted toward the 50%.

Reasonable Cause Drug Testing

Regulatory Requirements – A marine employer shall require any crewmember who is reasonably suspected of using a dangerous drug to be chemically tested for dangerous drugs. When the marine employer determines that reasonable cause exists, the individual must be informed of that fact and directed to test as soon as practicable. An entry concerning the basis of reasonable cause, the direction to test given the crewmember and any refusal or other response should be documented. A log entry must be made whenever an official ship’s log is required to be carried.

Definition of “reasonable cause” – Reasonable cause means a probability exists, based on some evidence that a crewmember is intoxicated by or has used drugs. Generally the following elements must be present to have “reasonable cause” to require drug testing:

(1) Direct observation of the suspected crewmember and/or any physical evidence by two persons in supervisory positions. This means the supervisors must personally see the evidence for themselves. (2) There must be some physical, behavioral, or performance indication of use or intoxication. Indicators include but are not limited to an individual’s speech, behavior or appearance. Drugs and drug paraphernalia in clothing and personal property, or concealed in staterooms or elsewhere may also provide reasonable cause since these too are physical indicators. Smoke, breath and body odors may provide evidence. Slurred and incoherent speech, lack of coordination and balance, nodding and dozing off on watch, inability to report for duty, frequent or extended unexplained absences from assigned duties, sudden and wide changes of mood or attitude and many other observable variables are examples of some conditions, which could constitute reasonable cause. Since these circumstances and conditions could be caused by illness, injury, or other factors, as well as drugs, the decision to test for reasonable cause must be made with prudence and common sense.

Post-Accident Drug & Alcohol Testing

Regulatory Requirements – Post-accident drug and alcohol testing regulations apply to all U.S. commercial vessels operating anywhere in the world and all foreign vessels operating upon the navigable waters of the U.S. When a marine casualty occurs, the marine employer needs to make a timely, good faith determination as to whether the occurrence is or is likely to become a serious marine incident. See 46 CFR 4.06.) A marine employer shall require all persons (not limited to crewmembers) on board the vessel(s) whom the employer determines to be directly involved in a serious marine incident to be chemically tested for dangerous drugs and alcohol. Note: This regulation also applies to crewmembers aboard foreign flag vessels involved in a serious marine incident that occurs in U.S. waters.

For More information on USCG Drug testing Regulations – Click Here
For more Information on Marine employers responsibilities   – Click here

 To schedule a Coast Guard drug test Opelousas LA service, Call (800) 219-7161. 

Did You Know?

Opelousas (French: Les Opelousas) is a city in and the parish seat of St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, United States.[1] It lies at the junction of Interstate 49 and U.S. Route 190. The population was 22,860 at the 2000 census. Although the 2006 population estimate was 23,222, a 2004 annexation should put the city’s population above 25,000. In the 2010 census, the population shrunk to 16,634. Opelousas is the principal city for the Opelousas-Eunice Micropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 92,178 in 2008. Opelousas is also the 3rd largest city in the Lafayette-Acadiana Combined Statistical Area, which has a population of 537,947.

At only 7.5 square miles, Opelousas is the most densely populated incorporated city in Louisiana. Founded in 1720, Opelousas is Louisiana’s 3rd oldest city. The city served as a major trading post between New Orleans and Natchitoches in the 18th and 19th centuries. Traditionally an area of settlement by French Creoles and Acadians, Opelousas is the center of zydeco music. It celebrates its heritage at the Creole Heritage Folklife Center, one of the destinations on the new Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. It is also the location of the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. The city calls itself the spice capital of the world, with production and sale of seasonings such as Tony Chachere’s products, Targil Seasonings, Savoie’s cajun meats and products,[5] and LouAna Cooking Oil. Opelousas was also home to one of the nation’s two Yoohoo Factories until their closing. During the tenure of Sheriff Cat Doucet from 1936 to 1940 and 1952 to 1968 that part of Opelousas along Highway 190 was a haven of gambling and prostitution. Doucet told the historian Michael Kurtz that the return of Earl Kemp Long to the governorship in 1956 allowed him to bring back brothels and casinos and to guarantee the sheriff a take of the proceeds

Health Screenings USA is pleased to provide drug, alcohol, occupational health and DNA testing services in Opelousas LA.