Transportation workers will now be tested for fentanyl

The US Department of Transportation wants to add fentanyl to its mandatory drug testing list for transportation workers. This means truck drivers, pilots, and other safety-sensitive employees could lose their jobs if they test positive for the drug.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has driven a significant increase in overdose deaths across the US. By adding it to mandatory drug tests, the Department of Transportation aims to reduce the risk of impaired workers operating vehicles and machinery. This change could lead to more positive drug tests and potentially fewer qualified workers in critical transportation roles, at least initially.