Latest news with #drugtesting
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
New Colorado dashboard provides public with information on causes of DUIs in the state
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation has launched a new digital toxicology dashboard to provide the latest drug and alcohol blood toxicology testing for suspected impaired driving offenses. The CBI says the initiative aims to inform the public and improve understanding of trends in impaired driving. CBI scientists receive each blood sample and test each one thoroughly. This test shows what is in the impaired driver's system, which can include drugs, alcohol or some combination of various substances. All the data is then placed on their dashboard. The data includes: • Mean Time to Complete Testing: Providing insight into the efficiency of the toxicology testing process. • Percentage of Samples Detecting Potentially Impairing Illegal Substances: Showing the prevalence of illicit and prescription drugs and alcohol in suspected impaired driving cases. • Number of Completed Toxicology Tests by Agency: Differentiating between tests initiated by the Colorado State Patrol and those by all other law enforcement agencies across the state. The dashboard serves as a valuable resource for: • Public Awareness: Educating Colorado residents on the impact of impaired driving. • Policy Development: Providing data-driven insights for legislative and programmatic interventions. • Law Enforcement Operations: Offering agencies a clearer picture of testing trends and enforcement efforts. • Research and Analysis: Supporting further academic and governmental studies on impaired driving. This launch of statistics reflects data from the year 2024 with subsequent updates occurring every six months thereafter. The State of Colorado encourages all interested parties to explore this new resource and utilize the information to contribute to safer roads across the state. Each test takes scientists 90 days to 120 days to complete. This includes receiving the sample and testing it. The CBI says the current sample shows alcohol being the worst impairment issue, followed by THC. CBI officials say this is just a small part of what the dashboard can provide. Anyone can see it and know what to look out for. "We produced this dashboard and have a great dataset that can give the public, policy makers and law enforcement a really good understanding of what drugs may be impacting suspected impaired drivers," said Vanessa Beall, CBI Toxicology Program Manager. This data is updated every six months.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Conor McGregor drops huge hint UFC return is close as he shows off drug test on his yacht
CONOR McGREGOR has dropped the biggest hint yet that he is ready for a UFC comeback - by showing off drug testing on his yacht. UFC stars are required to return six months of clean doping tests before they are eligible to make a return to the octagon. 7 7 7 And McGregor appears to have kickstarted the process after uploading pictures online of the testing process. The Irishman - still sporting a bizarre mohawk haircut - had blood taken from his shoulder and urine collected. Quoting Will Ferrell's 2006 Talladega Nights character Ricky Bobby, McGregor wrote: "I p*** excellence." McGregor has not fought since July 2021 - when he brutally broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. A toe injury last June also forced McGregor out of his proposed comeback bout against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas. The former two-weight UFC champion wants to fight on the UFC's proposed event on the grounds of the White House. It comes after US President Donald Trump announced crazy plans to host a fight card at the Oval Office. But McGregor has been clouded by a string of controversies outside of the cage. The Sun first reported how the multimillionaire fighter was caught appearing to kiss a mystery woman on a beach in Florida. Just days later, McGregor was spotted with the same woman enjoying a meal in Fort Lauderdale. To make matters worse, American rapper Azealia Banks accused McGregor of sending her unsolicited nude photos. The alleged naked pictures were then posted online - and later deleted - by the New York performer. McGregor responded by whisking his finacee Dee Devlin away to Sardinia to celebrate his birthday amid the controversy surrounding him. In December, the mulitimillionaire fighter was found liable for assault in a civil case against him dating back to 2018. The court heard how the professional fighter was said to have "brutally raped and battered" Nikita Hand in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel. McGregor - who was ordered to pay Ms Hand about £206,000 in damages and pay her legal costs - has since sought an appeal. 7 McGregor also punched a man in an Ibiza nightclub in June - with The Sun capturing the shocking moment. But the man - who works for Wayne Lineker - did not press charges. While away with his fiancee and four kids - Conor Jr, eight, Croia, six, Rian four and Mack, one - McGregor's pub was the target of an arson attack. Detectives believe a person doused the Black Forge Inn with a "flammable liquid" at 3am. It's understood the suspect used a flammable liquid at the front of the premises before setting it on fire and then fleeing the scene. Gardai are examining CCTV from the area in a bid to identify the suspect. It's the second time McGregor's pub has been targeted in an arson attack. In 2022, a petrol bomb was thrown at the bar but it failed to ignite. 7 7
Health Line
11-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
How Long Does Molly (MDMA) Stay in Your System?
Molly can be detected in some bodily fluids for up to three days. It may stay in your system longer depending on the dose. The drug may still be found in scalp hair after three months. MDMA, also known as 'molly' or 'ecstasy,' is an illegal, synthetic drug that has similar effects to stimulants like methamphetamine. When molly is ingested, it's quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can take effect in as little as 15 minutes. The drug is usually detectable in bodily fluids for one to three days after ingestion. However, it may be detected for up to five days or more in some circumstances. Like other drugs, it's detectable in hair for several months. Detection times are based on the time you last took the drug. Taking multiple doses over a period of several hours can lengthen the detection window. Seeking help for addiction may seem daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. If you believe that you or someone close to you is showing signs of addiction, you can contact the following organizations for immediate help and advice: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 800-662-4357 (TTY: 800-487-4889) 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 How long is molly detectable via drug testing? Molly is detectable in your body for anywhere from around two days to several months after ingestion, depending on the type of drug test used. This is because different drug testing methods have different detection windows. These are based on how the drug is absorbed and broken down in the body. Urine testing Molly is detectable in urine up to three days after ingestion. MDMA that enters the bloodstream is carried to the liver, where it's broken down and excreted. Note that most typical urine tests won't detect MDMA. On the other hand, some medications can cause false positives for MDMA in urine tests. Blood testing Molly can typically be detected in blood for around one to two days after ingestion, though in rare cases it may be detected for slightly longer. It's absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and reaches peak levels two hours after it's taken. Over time, the drug is transported to the liver, where it's broken down. Saliva testing Molly is detectable in saliva for one to two days after ingestion. Since it's typically taken by mouth, it appears quickly in the saliva. Its concentration peaks after two hours before beginning to decrease at four hours. Hair testing Molly is detectable in scalp hair for several months after ingestion. Once in the bloodstream, small amounts of the drug reach the network of tiny blood vessels that feed the hair follicles. Hair grows at a rate of around 1 centimeter (cm) per month, and the segment of hair that tests positive usually corresponds to the time of ingestion. What factors affect how long molly stays in your system? Molly is absorbed, broken down, and eliminated faster or slower depending on several factors. These include the overall amount ingested and whether it's taken in single or multiple doses. Other factors relate to the drug's chemical composition. Molly, also called ecstasy or MDMA, is frequently laced with other illegal drugs or chemical compounds even when it's sold as 'pure.' When ecstasy pills or capsules are combined with other substances, it can affect how long it stays in your system and how long an illegal drug may be detected on a drug screening test. Finally, a variety of individual factors can affect drug metabolism. These include: age metabolism kidney function liver function genes Is there anything you can do to metabolize it faster? There's nothing you can do to metabolize molly faster. Once it enters your system, your liver needs time to break it down. Drinking water doesn't flush molly from your system or neutralize its effects. Exercising after taking molly can lead to dehydration, which can increase liquid consumption. Molly also affects your heart's ability to pump blood, which poses risks during exercise. How long does it take to feel the effects? People may start to feel the effects of molly around 15 minutes after taking it. It takes about three hours to feel the drug's peak effects. Sought-after short-term effects Some of molly's sought-after short-term (acute) effects include: euphoria openness to others extraversion and sociability increased sensory perception increased energy sexual arousal wakefulness Negative short-term effects Other short-term effects are negative. Some of these may appear alongside the drug high, including: muscle cramps increased heart rate increased blood pressure jaw clenching and teeth grinding nausea blurry vision sweating chills Taking a high dose of molly can cause an increase in body temperature. This can sometimes lead to kidney failure, heart failure, or death. Other negative effects can appear during the week after ingesting molly. They may include: loss of appetite blurry vision insomnia anxiety agitation depression lack of focus recklessness How long does it take for the effects of molly to wear off? It takes about three to six hours for a molly high to wear off. Some people take another dose as the effects of the initial dose fade, prolonging the drug high. Molly's negative effects tend to appear later and last longer. Mood disruptions such as irritability, anxiety, and depression can last for up to a week after your last dose. Using molly on a regular basis may lead to effects including depression, heart disease, and reduced cognitive function. However, we still don't know much about the long-term impact. The bottom line Molly usually stays in your system for up to three days, but it can last for months in some cases.
RNZ News
06-07-2025
- RNZ News
Patient not drug tested hours before second killing, father alleges
The man's father alleged that on the day he killed for a second time, he was supposed to be drug tested. Photo: RNZ A mental health patient was not drug tested on the day he committed his second killing because the staffer believed he was "acting cagey", his father alleges. The man was subject to a compulsory treatment order at the time, which meant that drug screening occurred on a voluntary basis. But if he failed the test, the clinician would then need to assess whether the patient should be re-called to hospital. RNZ earlier revealed the man - who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing - was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time after killing someone he believed was possessed. RNZ is unable to publish details regarding either killings due to an appeal against name suppression that is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal. RNZ has obtained a copy of a letter from the man's father to the presiding judge. Do you know more? Email The man's father alleged that on the day he killed for a second time, he was supposed to be drug tested. "He turned up for the appointment but was not tested because the staff member said that he was acting cagey and she didn't want to make him feel like he was being picked on. "This is a so-called health professional who observed unusual behaviour from a person with severe mental health issues and they didn't do anything about it. She didn't test him and basically allowed him to leave. A few hours later [he killed again]." The man said his son told him he had to go have a drug test "so he was expecting it, but nothing came of it". The man's second killing "could and should have been prevented," the father says. "How can someone who has previously killed another person be able to remain free when the warning signs are right there for all to see?" In the weeks leading up to the second killing, the man's mental health was "rapidly declining", a judge earlier said. He was admitted to a mental health facility following an altercation with a relative. About a week later he was released. He was having relationship problems and was using cannabis. Five days after he was released from the mental health facility, he stabbed someone to death. In his letter, he said his son had mental health issues "for most of his life". "I have attended countless appointments and meetings relating to [him] and his treatment, and I have full knowledge of the process, his medication and it's effectiveness, the downsides and how he has responded over the years. "I have met his doctors and psychiatrists and have a good understanding of the mental health system, what services are provided and some of it's failings." He discussed his son's admission to a mental health facility before the second killing when his mental health "deteriorated". He said the staff should not have released his son. The second killing was "predictable if anyone bothered to look at the warning signs and do something about it," he said. "Predictable in the sense that [he] was on a downward spiral. Maybe not predictable with the exact date and time, but the warning signs were there for the health professionals to see. To use their judgement and training and to actually do something about what they saw instead of just letting it go because it gets too hard for them." He said the health system was "not aggressive enough to make decisions". "For more than 5 years I visited [him] every night in one of their institutions, so I know full well what goes on inside the walls. There are more questions than answers. The health system had [him] in their custody and released him. A health professional saw [him] on the day he killed [again], described him as being cagey, did not do the blood test and let him go without doing anything. How? Who is accountable? How can someone who has previously killed another person be able to remain free when the warning signs are right there for all to see?" RNZ put the allegations regarding the drug test to both Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. Health New Zealand (HNZ) said an external review of the care the patient received leading up to their alleged offending is in progress. They did not comment on the allegations. In most situations screening for substance use occurred on a voluntary basis and could include individuals subject to detention under the Mental Health Act on Compulsory Treatment Orders, an HNZ spokesperson said. "However, screening is very much part of an individual treatment/care plan where interventions may be put in place in the event of a positive result or refusal to be tested." Director of Mental Health Dr John Crawshaw said in a statement that in circumstances like these an independent review is triggered to investigate the incident and make recommendations for changes to services and for those recommendations to be acted on. A review was still underway. "The claim of reported drug use and delays in drug testing would be most appropriately investigated by the independent review commissioned by Health New Zealand." In relation to drug testing, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said screening for substance use occurred on a voluntary basis and can include individuals subject to detention under the Mental Health Act on Compulsory Treatment Orders. "Screening is very much part of an individual treatment/care plan where interventions may be put in place in the event of a positive result or refusal to be tested. "For further background, it also depends on whether the person is on an inpatient order or a community treatment order. If the testing is part of a condition of leave on an inpatient order it can result in the leave being cancelled. If the person is on a community treatment order, the responsible clinician would then need to assess whether there is enough concern to direct the patient to be treated as an inpatient. It's important to note that this applies to people under ordinary Mental Health Act orders and there is a separate process for special patients." Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said any serious incident, particularly one where someone was killed was a "cause of very serious concern". "That is why it is important that reviews are triggered and recommendations for changes to services are acted on. My focus is on ensuring agencies involved are putting in place the necessary changes to help prevent these incidents occurring again. "There is an external review underway, and it would be my expectation that this review will cover the care this person received leading up to the incident." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
06-07-2025
- RNZ News
Man who killed for second time not drug tested on day of attack
The man's father alleged that on the day he killed for a second time, he was supposed to be drug tested. Photo: RNZ A mental health patient was not drug tested on the day he committed his second killing because the staffer believed he was "acting cagey", his father alleges. The man was subject to a compulsory treatment order at the time, which meant that drug screening occurred on a voluntary basis. But if he failed the test, the clinician would then need to assess whether the patient should be re-called to hospital. RNZ earlier revealed the man - who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing - was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time after killing someone he believed was possessed. RNZ is unable to publish details regarding either killings due to an appeal against name suppression that is due to be heard by the Court of Appeal. RNZ has obtained a copy of a letter from the man's father to the presiding judge. Do you know more? Email The man's father alleged that on the day he killed for a second time, he was supposed to be drug tested. "He turned up for the appointment but was not tested because the staff member said that he was acting cagey and she didn't want to make him feel like he was being picked on. "This is a so-called health professional who observed unusual behaviour from a person with severe mental health issues and they didn't do anything about it. She didn't test him and basically allowed him to leave. A few hours later [he killed again]." The man said his son told him he had to go have a drug test "so he was expecting it, but nothing came of it". The man's second killing "could and should have been prevented," the father says. "How can someone who has previously killed another person be able to remain free when the warning signs are right there for all to see?" In the weeks leading up to the second killing, the man's mental health was "rapidly declining", a judge earlier said. He was admitted to a mental health facility following an altercation with a relative. About a week later he was released. He was having relationship problems and was using cannabis. Five days after he was released from the mental health facility, he stabbed someone to death. In his letter, he said his son had mental health issues "for most of his life". "I have attended countless appointments and meetings relating to [him] and his treatment, and I have full knowledge of the process, his medication and it's effectiveness, the downsides and how he has responded over the years. "I have met his doctors and psychiatrists and have a good understanding of the mental health system, what services are provided and some of it's failings." He discussed his son's admission to a mental health facility before the second killing when his mental health "deteriorated". He said the staff should not have released his son. The second killing was "predictable if anyone bothered to look at the warning signs and do something about it," he said. "Predictable in the sense that [he] was on a downward spiral. Maybe not predictable with the exact date and time, but the warning signs were there for the health professionals to see. To use their judgement and training and to actually do something about what they saw instead of just letting it go because it gets too hard for them." He said the health system was "not aggressive enough to make decisions". "For more than 5 years I visited [him] every night in one of their institutions, so I know full well what goes on inside the walls. There are more questions than answers. The health system had [him] in their custody and released him. A health professional saw [him] on the day he killed [again], described him as being cagey, did not do the blood test and let him go without doing anything. How? Who is accountable? How can someone who has previously killed another person be able to remain free when the warning signs are right there for all to see?" RNZ put the allegations regarding the drug test to both Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. Health New Zealand (HNZ) said an external review of the care the patient received leading up to their alleged offending is in progress. They did not comment on the allegations. In most situations screening for substance use occurred on a voluntary basis and could include individuals subject to detention under the Mental Health Act on Compulsory Treatment Orders, an HNZ spokesperson said. "However, screening is very much part of an individual treatment/care plan where interventions may be put in place in the event of a positive result or refusal to be tested." Director of Mental Health Dr John Crawshaw said in a statement that in circumstances like these an independent review is triggered to investigate the incident and make recommendations for changes to services and for those recommendations to be acted on. A review was still underway. "The claim of reported drug use and delays in drug testing would be most appropriately investigated by the independent review commissioned by Health New Zealand." In relation to drug testing, a Ministry of Health spokesperson said screening for substance use occurred on a voluntary basis and can include individuals subject to detention under the Mental Health Act on Compulsory Treatment Orders. "Screening is very much part of an individual treatment/care plan where interventions may be put in place in the event of a positive result or refusal to be tested. "For further background, it also depends on whether the person is on an inpatient order or a community treatment order. If the testing is part of a condition of leave on an inpatient order it can result in the leave being cancelled. If the person is on a community treatment order, the responsible clinician would then need to assess whether there is enough concern to direct the patient to be treated as an inpatient. It's important to note that this applies to people under ordinary Mental Health Act orders and there is a separate process for special patients." Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said any serious incident, particularly one where someone was killed was a "cause of very serious concern". "That is why it is important that reviews are triggered and recommendations for changes to services are acted on. My focus is on ensuring agencies involved are putting in place the necessary changes to help prevent these incidents occurring again. "There is an external review underway, and it would be my expectation that this review will cover the care this person received leading up to the incident." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
