By SCBIZ Staff

Cocaine use among U.S. workers has dropped dramatically according to new data on workplace drug tests conducted by Quest Diagnostics.

The Southeast work force experienced a 16.7% decline in the number of positive drug test for cocaine during the first six months of 2007.

The Southeast is comprised of Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

According to the latest data from Quest Diagnostics, positive tests for cocaine showed double-digit declines in all but one division of the nation. The Midwest Region, comprised of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, dropped 9.5%.

The highest decline occurred in the New England area, comprised of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

“These data are encouraging,” said John Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy. “In recent years, we have had unprecedented cooperation with leaders in Colombia and Mexico. Now is the time to build on this progress.”

In July, separate findings from Federal intelligence and law enforcement sources noted reports of cocaine shortages in 37 U.S. cities during the first 6 months of 2007. Several of the cities noted by Federal sources also are reporting increases in the price of cocaine and, in some instances, a rapid doubling of prices.