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DRUG TESTING

HOW ARE TEST CONDUCTED?

Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the procedure entails1st ensure sample validity2nd an initial screen, followed by3rd confirmatory tests.

TO ENSURE VALIDITY

SAMHSA's testing protocol requires the lab to

(1) creatinine concentration

(2) specific gravity when (1) is <20 mg/dL;

(3) pH of specimen;

(4) Test for oxidizing adulterants

(5) Perform additional validity tests when

(i) Abnormal physical characteristics;

(ii) Reactions or responses characteristic of an adulterant

(iii) Possible unidentified interfering substance or adulterant

TYPES of drug testing?

Urinalysis, Hair testing, Saliva, Blood, Sweat

Most common is the urine test which has the benefit of being inexpensive and less intrusive than the blood test.Blood test more expensive so is the least used however is the most accurate. Hair sample require sample of hair 1.5inches longSweat testing less reliable for marijuana testing

WHAT IS TESTED FOR?

Actual drug Psychodelic form ???Naaaa!

Drugs go in the body in the psychedelic form and come out as a metabolite.So the drug metabolites would be tested for instead.Cocaine: benzoylecgonineMarijuana: 1-nor-D-9-tetrahyrocanibinolic acid

(THCA).

DETECTION PERIODS

SUBSTANCE BLOOD SALIVA SWEAT URINE HAIR

  Shortest Detectability - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Longest Detectability

Alcohol 12 hrs 6-12 hrs unknown 6-24 hrs (5 days with EtG) n/a

Cannabis (single use) 2-3 days 12-24 hrs unknown 2-3 days up to 90 days

Cannabis (habitual use) 2 weeks 12-24 hrs unknown 15-30 days up to 90 days

Cocaine unknown 1 day unknown 4-5 days up to 90 days

LAB TEST

Screening

EMIT - Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Test

Confirmation

GC/MS = Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

NB: check notes for videos

TEST STANDARDS FOR COMMON DRUGS

SUBSTANCE Initial Test(IMMUNOASSAY)

Confirming Test(GC / MS)

Cannabis 50 ng/ml 15 ng/ml

Cocaine 300 ng/ml 150 ng/ml

Opiates 2000 ng/ml2000 ng/ml (morphine)2000 (codeine)6-Acetylmorphine)

Amphetamines 1000 ng/ml 500 ng/ml

PCP 25 ng/ml 25 ng/ml

Note: Methamphetamine positive confirming test requires both 500ng/ml of methamphetamine and 200ng/ml of amphetamine.

from SAMHSA Feb 2005, 69 FR 19644

Conseqnces of Cocaine Use

PROS

CONS

COCAINE CONS