Dentists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals with drug addictions will face tougher restrictions in California, including more drug tests and public disclosure of any restrictions on their license, according to a story in the Los Angeles Times.
According to the new rules, health workers in state-run recovery programs will take at least 104 drug tests in their first year -- more than double the current requirements. In addition, they will be pulled from practice after just one positive result and any restrictions to their licenses will be listed on public websites, the story states.
"The bottom line is we're in the business of protecting consumers," said Brian Stiger, director of the state Department of Consumer Affairs, in the story. "We're not in the business of rehabilitation."
The changes come after a July investigation by The Times and the nonprofit newsroom ProPublica that revealed lapses in monitoring healthcare professions in a confidential recovery program, the story states.
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