Millennium Health's Signals Report™ Volume 2 Identifies Significant Increase in Urine Drug Test Positivity for Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Kratom

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Health, has released the Millennium Health Signals Report™ Volume 2, analyzing its proprietary database of urine drug test results from January 2015 through November 2019 to identify national and regional trends in positivity rates of drugs of abuse and emerging threats. The findings from this analysis highlight the following trends:

• Methamphetamine and fentanyl positivity rates increased nationally by 129.6% and 145.8%, respectively, while cocaine and heroin positivity rates both declined (2.5% and 21.4%, respectively), but rates varied substantially by region
• Co-occurrence of fentanyl with cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine increased nationally by 210.2%, 111.3%, and 438.9%, respectively, but rates varied substantially by region
• Kratom positivity rates increased in every U.S. region and doubled nationally. Individuals who were positive for kratom were also more likely to be positive for non-prescribed opioids, benzodiazepines, and illicit substances

According to Kevin L. Zacharoff, MD, FACIP, FACPE, FAAP, Faculty and Clinical Instructor, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, "The data in this report reinforce the notion that there may in fact be no 'silver bullet' for solving the drug overdose epidemic. It is multifaceted, and has evolved significantly, and will continue to do so. Fentanyl has now become the leading contributor to opioid-related deaths, while methamphetamine deaths have increased substantially as well. Coordinated efforts informed by timely data and education are likely the best shot we have to reduce the toll of substance abuse."

This publication represents the latest advance in Millennium Health's ongoing commitment to service, support, and clinical education. "The goal of our organization in conducting this research and providing the Signals Report is to better arm those fighting the substance abuse crisis with timely information that may help improve the efficient use of available resources and ultimately curb the significant impact of drug overdose deaths," said Angela G. Huskey, PharmD, CPE, Chief Clinical Officer of Millennium Health. "This latest report provides an important, in-depth look at regional and state impacts, which vary greatly."

A copy of the full report can be accessed on the Millennium Health website.

About Millennium Health

Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory with over a decade of experience delivering timely, accurate, clinically-actionable information through our nationwide medication monitoring and drug testing services. Processing hundreds of thousands of specimens each year allows us to provide real-time analytics regarding emerging drug use trends, such as our studies published in JAMA Network Open and the Millennium Health Signals Report™ and has resulted in our collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help fight our nation's drug overdose crisis. We also offer evidence-based, guideline-driven pharmacogenetic testing helping clinicians make more informed medication choices. More information can be found at millenniumhealth.com.

SOURCE Millennium Health, LLC