Close to 8,000 positive substance abuse tests and more than 650,000 registrations have been recorded in the first seven weeks of the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The secure online database, designed to close a gap that has allowed drivers testing positive for substance abuse to get back behind the wheel for a different company, ran into problems at startup on Jan. 6 as a result of registrants overloading the system. The initial snags have since been ironed out.

"We've seen encouraging results from the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, but there's still work to do to ensure we identify more drivers who should not be behind the wheel," said FMCSA Acting Administrator Jim Mullen in a statement Friday. "The clearinghouse is a positive step, and the agency continues to work closely with industry, law enforcement, and our state partners to ensure its implementation is effective."

Taking on drug abuse — particularly opioids — has been a priority in the Trump administration, according to FMCSA. "President Trump has brought attention to the nation's opioid crisis by declaring it a nationwide public health emergency and has implemented critical federal initiatives to help reduce opioid abuse."

As a reminder, the agency emphasized that those required to register for the clearinghouse include:

The FMCSA's clearinghouse website provides registration details and other resources.

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