USCG cuts random drug test rate for crew members

JANUARY 22, 2013 — The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it has submitted a notice of minimum random drug testing rate to the Federal Register.

The Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2013 minimum drug testing rate at 25 percent of covered crew members. The minimum drug testing rate is effective January 1, 2013, through December 31。

 In accordance with 46 CFR 16.230(f)(2), the Commandant has the authority to lower the minimum drug testing rates following two consecutive years of positive random testing rates fewer than 1 percent, and he is exercising that option with the 2013 rates. The minimum drug testing rate in 2012 was 50 percent.

The purpose of setting a minimum random drug testing rate is to assist the Coast Guard in analyzing its current approach for deterring and detecting illegal drug abuse in the maritime industry and to encourage employers to maintain a drug-free workplace with the incentive of a reduced testing rate (and associated reduced costs).

The Coast Guard will continue to monitor both the rate of positive drug tests and the quality testing data submitted. If the positive drug test rate rises above 1 percent, or if the Coast Guard cannot determine the positive rate based on the quality of the data submitted, then the Commandant may return the minimum drug testing rate to 50 percent.

（译文参考：船舶管理部 机务培训分析师 傅恒星译）

USCG减少船员毒品测试比例

2013年元月22日美国海岸警卫队宣布，今天已向联邦公告提交关于规定随机的毒品测试最低测试率的通告。

海岸警卫队已经计划，2013的酒精毒品测试，最少应覆盖船员总数的25%。该规定有效期限从2013年元月1日至2013年12月31日。

根据法规46 CFR 16.230(f)(2)，海岸警卫队司令官，有权在随后连续2年随机测试的阳性率，降幅超过1%时，继续减少随机测试率，他也可以选择2013年的相同比例。在2012年，酒精毒品最低测试比例是50%。

设置最低酒精毒品测试比例，是为了帮助海岸警卫队分析当前的趋势，用于阻止并检测在航运界非法滥用毒品。用减少测试比例的方式，来鼓励雇主保持一个无毒品影响的工作环境（并且相应减少了开支）。

海上警卫队将继续监控兴奋剂的测试率和递交上来的检测数据质量。如果测试出服用兴奋剂比例上升1个百分点，或海岸警卫队不能确定递交上来数据的呈阳性的比率，司令官有权决定，将测试比例调回原来的最低50%。