By: David Hirshfeld & Jeff Cohen
Lately we’ve noticed an uptick in criticism of toxicology labs that are owned by the substance abuse treatment programs and recovery residences that refer to them. Sadly, this criticism seems to be coming from within the addiction and recovery industry itself. In addition to being absolutely necessary for substance abuse treatment, toxicology screens have become a meaningful source of revenue that helps to fund treatment programs and scholarships for those who cannot afford to pay the full cost of treatment. We cannot understand why the substance abuse treatment industry would want to help pull the rug out from under itself, but that seems to be what is occurring. Under the current state of Florida law, toxicology labs can be owned by their referral sources without much risk if that arrangement is properly structured.Continue reading