METH USE RISES IN THOSE WITH SAFETY-SENSITIVE JOBS

Workers holding or seeking safety-sensitive jobs are testing positive
for amphetamines more frequently, particularly in Oregon, according
to the nation's largest provider of workplace drug screens.

Quest Diagnostic Inc. said positive amphetamine tests in federally
regulated, safety-sensitive jobs increased from 0.31 percent in 2004
to 0.35 percent in the first six months of 2005 -- a 13 percent
increase. Quest processed 600,000 tests in the first half of this year.

Barry Sample, director of science and technology for Quest, said the
increase probably stems from the rising popularity of
methamphetamine, the most popular type of amphetamine.

The safety-sensitive work force includes more than 12 million workers
required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to undergo routine
drug testing, including truckers, public bus drivers, railroad
engineers and airline pilots. Federal employees also are subject to the rules.

In Oregon, the rate of positive amphetamine screens was significantly
higher than the rest of the nation, Sample said. Among 2,600
safety-sensitive drug tests in the state, the positive rate for
amphetamines increased by 32 percent -- from 0.43 percent last year
to 0.57 percent in the first six months of 2005.