Comparison of random and postaccident urine drug tests in southern Indiana coal miners.

BACKGROUND

This study examines the relationship between the use of 9 classes of substances (amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, and propoxyphene) and coal-mining accidents.

METHODS

The control sample (n = 215) made up of miners that presented for random urine drug testing. The study sample (n = 100) consists of miners that presented for postaccident urine drug testing. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests of creatinine normalized urine drug levels were conducted to compare the medians of the groups.

RESULTS

The mean drug concentrations were higher in the postaccident group for each drug tested except marijuana. Two-tailed testing demonstrated statistically significant differences for marijuana (P = 0.000), cocaine (P = 0.008), and opiates (P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates statistically significant higher cocaine and opioid concentrations and lower marijuana concentrations in postaccident urine drug tests of coal miners when compared with random tests.