JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Drug testing is a common part of the workplace for businesses across the country.
But a new study reveals startling information on what drugs people are using.
According to research done by Quest Diagnostics, there has been an 82 percent increase in positive tests for heroin over the last three years.
An addiction expert at Gateway Community Services in Jacksonville explained what's behind the surge in abuse.
"It can happen to anybody, any age group, any area of town," said Karen Tozzi, vice president of Gateway Community Services.
Some sobering research is giving disturbing new insight into workplace drug use.
"It just confirmed what we've been seeing here and all around the state. We've been seeing the increase in heroin use," Tozzi said. "It's about $10 for a pack. You know, you can get it on the street, and it becomes much more easy to get."
Gateway Community Services has seen an increase of 800 patients for various addictions so far this year. Tozzi said the uptick is directly linked to the crackdown on pill mills and unscrupulous doctors.
"It became more expensive to get those prescription drugs and the cost of heroin ended up being more favorable, and we had more people using heroin more frequently than the prescription drugs," Tozzi said. "It's just a scary thing that's happening all around the country."
While finances may play a role in the surge, Tozzi said trauma, both physical and emotional, is at the root of the problem, too. And it's changing the face of heroin addiction.
"It's everybody. It's people that are driving the cabs around. It's the people who are teaching our kids in school. It's really coming from all walks of life and every socio-economic area," Tozzi said. "So we're just seeing a broad spectrum of people abuse these types of substances."
Tozzi said the problem will continue to take a financial toll on companies, and she encourages drug users to seek out help before it's too late.
"It becomes even more scary when you have people who come through treatment here, you get to know them and then you get word that they died from an overdose," Tozzi said.
Quest Diagnostics' findings also show positive tests have tripled for other opiates like hydromorphone and doubled for others like Vicodin since 2003.