Episode #189 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Ronald Flegel and SAMHSA Division of Workplace Program

The gold standard for workplace drug testing is established by SAMHSA’s Division for Workplace Programs, DWP.  This affects 14 million employees.  DWP manages the National Laboratory Certification Program and oversees the Drug Testing Advisory Board.  Learn all a

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Ronald R. Flegel became the Director of the Division of Workplace Program in May of 2012.  He initially joined The Division of Workplace Programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in September of 2004 as the Forensic Toxicologist, following his employment with a nationally recognized laboratory, Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute.  As the Technical Scientist, his role included method research, development, validation, and regulatory compliance in all aspects of the toxicology operations.  His prior position was with a nationally recognized consulting firm, The Walsh Group, P.A.  His responsibilities at The Walsh Group included applied research, technology development, formulating new proposals and white papers leading to policy consideration. Prior to this position, he was employed with Quest Diagnostics Incorporated in the Forensic Toxicology Department as Shift Manager/ Section Supervisor in a SAMHSA Certified regulated drug testing laboratory.  His responsibilities included overseeing the laboratory certification process including quality control, data certification, method research, method validation, regulatory compliance, performance and developmental review of staff.  As a Technologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Pathology, he certified and reviewed chemistry and emergency toxicology data and played a key role in shaping the continuing education program.

As a scientist, Mr. Flegel has worked on a variety of projects and written several technical papers that include cost effective approaches to substance abuse testing, cost efficient screening methodologies, marketing studies for state-of-the-art reagent protocols and instrumental validation procedures. These projects include method validation and reagent protocol development, modifications to reagents for cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness, and several other projects in drug evaluation programs.  He has chaired and co-chaired several committees, which strived to improve the overall quality of service in drug and alcohol programs.  He is a member of several professional societies including The American College of Toxicology (ACT), Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientist (AAFS), Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT) and The American Society of Clinical Pathologist (ASCP).

Mr. Flegel recently testified before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Subcommittee on Government Operations on the Federal response to marijuana legalization as it pertains to transportation policy.  He has lectured on numerous occasions for professional organizations on topics such as National Laboratory Certification Program, Prescription Drug Abuse, and Programs to Deter Drug Use, Analytical Approaches to Emergency Toxicology and Volatiles: Including Methanol, Ethanol and Isopropanol. Until he became Director, he had overseen the National Laboratory Certification Program as the Government Project Officer within SAMHSA which covers many aspects such as inspection protocols, review of regulatory guidelines, regulatory compliance issues and guidance documents for the laboratory.  In 1989, he had the honor of receiving the John C. Failing Award for Bench Medical Technologist of the Year.  Mr. Flegel received his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Michigan University in biology and medical technology and his Master’s Degree from The University of Maryland in Forensic Toxicology.  He also completed several rotations at the Poison Control Center and Medical Examiner’s Office in the state of Maryland as well as his Medical Technology Internship at Hurley Medical Center in the department of pathology.  Mr. Flegel’s focus has been based on the testing procedures of Forensic Toxicology and Emergency Toxicology and all aspects of regulated testing and certification.

https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/employer-resources