You are currently browsing the Drugs & Alcohol weblog archives for November, 2008.
14/11/2008 by admin.
This question was asked this week, by a company requiring a breathalyser to meet the current US Coast Guard requirements for alcohol detection devices.
The 2009 Alcoscan AL6000 currently has the following quality approvals
NF/CE Mark
DOT/NTHSA Approved
Meets US Coast Guard Requirements
Accuracy: +/- 0.005% at 0.10% BAC
Posted in Breathalyser Mouthpieces, AL6000 Breathalyser, Value breathalysers | 1 Comment »
14/11/2008 by admin.
Detecting alcohol is simple and easy with modern biotechnology. A simple dip strip test is available which can either be used in saliva to give an immediate measure of the blood alcohol concentration, or in any liquid to detect the presence of alcohol.
If used in liquids other than saliva, the alcohol test strip will not be able to show the concentration of the alcohol, as the colour pad is specific to determining blood alcohol levels from human saliva. All that can be determined is the presence of alcohol by a blue green colour pad change. If no alcohol is present, the pad stays ‘off white.’
Results take just 2 minutes. Each foil has colour interpretation guides printed for easy interpretation of results. Alcohol test strips are quick, cheap to buy and easy to use with no additional equipment needed. There’s no need to buy massive quantities, with pack sizes starting from just 3 tests
Posted in Teenagers, Alcohol | 1 Comment »
14/11/2008 by admin.
Single use saliva tests to detect cocaine use are now available for public and professional use here in the UK. The tests need no additional materials or training to complete a screen for cocaine and crack cocaine, in under 5 minutes, using a simple sample of saliva.
Just revove the cocaine test from its foil and remove the cover to expose the tongue like swab which can be wet with saliva dirrectly or dipped into a sample pot. The drug test membrane then works and will display a positive result if cocaine is present (one control line only) and a negative result (control and test line, 2 lines) if cocaine is not detected at above the sensitivity of the test membrane. The sensitivity is set to avoid any accidental environmental exposure to cocaine from bank notes or other sources. Results are reliable and easy to interpret.
The cocaine saliva drug tests are sold in packs of 5
Cocaine urine test kits are also available.
Posted in Cocaine Addiction, Cocaine | No Comments »
14/11/2008 by admin.
Many people consider giving a breathalyser as a present, particularly at christmas, when drink driving campaigns are being run and the party season is in full swing.
So which breathalyser makes the best choice and which breathalyser makes the best value gift ? Here are a few suggestions for digital breathalysers which will not dissapoint in use and are presented in perfect presentation boxes for best impact and easy wrapping.
At the lower end of the market the AL2500 comes in a perfect presentation box, including batteries and user manual. The Al2500 breathalyser is small and compact and is ideal for an occasional use personal testing device. The AL2500 breathalyser does not use mouth pieces, while this does reduce the accuracy compared to top end professional breathalysers, it retains adequate accuracy for personal home use with +/-0.02% BAC and an alarm setting of 0.05% BAC
For greater accuracy go for the AL2500 Prime unit in black. This version of the AL2500 breathalyser comes in a black finished case and incorporates an advanced flow checking technology which means the Al2500 Prime Breathalysers will only give measured readings after good quality blown samples. Recommended ! Units start from £23-26.00 delivered.
Under £50.00 buys you the all new 2009 model DA5000 breathalyser. With upgraded electronics and programming the DA5000 breathalyser offers professional levels of accuracy with the highly reliable semicon sensor. With flow check, firewire and auto-diagnostic sensor checking accurate results are easy to obtain. The DA5000 breathalysers come in an attractive presentation box with batteries, user manual, carry strap and soft case. 5 mouth piece units are included with the DA5000 breathalyser and these should last the personal user the life time of the breathalyser. The DA5000 displays when to replace the sensor module, which can be performed at home, avoiding having to send the breathaliser for calibration service. Excellent value and again highly recommended.
£75.00 is all it takes these days to buy a top end DA7000 precise digital breathalyser. With professional inbuilt technologies, the DA7000 breathalyser offers high levels of accuracy, combined with simple one button operation, and easy change sensor facilities. Presented in an easy to wrap box with batteries, user manual, wrist strap, soft carry case and 5 mouth pieces, the DA7000 comes ready for testing and will offer years of trouble free high accuracy alcohol testing.
Posted in Value breathalysers, Breathalysers | 1 Comment »
11/11/2008 by admin.
Breathalyser mouthpieces are used with all top end and professional quality breathalysers. They serve two purposes.
On older CA2000 based models a simple cover is available, usually refered to as “breathalyser cover” to differentiate it from the longer mouth pieces or tubes (which also fit these models)
Universal breathalyser mouth piece tubes are available in standard or professional options. In the professional option the breathalyser mouthpiece tube incorporates a one way or uni-directional valve. This only allows the passage of breath into the breathalyser, and closes if the pressure becomes negative, preventing the breathaliser triggering if the sampler sucks on the tube in an attempt to prevent accurate sampling.
The professional uni-directional breathalyser mouthpiece tubes are recommended for all compliance or screening breathalyser test environments, as the extra chain of custody offered increases overall accuracy.
Key features
When choosing a breathalyser look for a breathalyser requiring mouth pieces. These prevent infection control risk and increase accuracy. Units that you simply blow at, will never achieve the same accuracy, even with the same electronics, and are a false economy.
Mouth pieces are mainly used as disposable as this prevents any infection control risk.
If breathalysers are being purchased for individual use or family use where infection risk is not an issue, they are robust enough to last the lifetime of the breathalyser and most are supplied with 3-5 mouth pieces. They can be washed and sterlilised using Milton or other home sterilising solutions, and even go through dish-washers
For employment or clinic screening buy a combination of standard and professional mouth pieces.
Universal fitting breathalyser mouth pieces fit all these breathalysers
More details on Breathalyser Mouthpieces here
Posted in AL6000 Breathalyser, Breathalyser Mouthpieces, Da8000 Breathalyser, DA5000 Breathalyser, AL7000, Breathalysers | 1 Comment »
11/11/2008 by admin.
The AL6000 breathalyser offers the latest in cutting-edge breath alcohol sensing technology as well as powerful and convenient features to ensure the highest accuracy.
A big advantage to the Al6000 model over earlier breathalysers is that it has interchangable SEMICON sensor modules and so does not require to be sent away for recalibration service.
Special Features of the AL600 Breathalyser
Self change sensor module to calibrate
Active pressure sensor ensures deep-lung breath sampling
Cumulative test counter
Low battery indicator
Auto power off
Dual-Mode- The 6000 Pro is also the worlds first and only personal breathalyser that can be operated in dual-mode; it can be operated with a mouthpiece (5 included) for digital accuracy or you can blow directly into the unit to share between multiple people and obtain a broader range readings (eg. “Lo”, “Mod” or “Hi”)
AL6000 breathalyser will detect and indicate to user when a replacement sensor module is required and display “CAL” or “SEN” display until a replacement sensor module is fitted.
Click here for more information or to buy an AL6000 Breathalyser
Posted in Breathalyser reviews, AL6000 Breathalyser, Breathalysers | 1 Comment »
11/11/2008 by admin.
Listen to this audio (about 4 minutes long) in which Andrew Horne of AddAction tells Jon Dennis why Britain leads Europe in use of heroin and cocaine
Click here for the link to the audio
Posted in Addaction, Cocaine, Heroin | 1 Comment »
11/11/2008 by admin.
New 2009 model DA8000 Fuel Cell Breathalyser has now arrived in UK
The Alcoscent DA-8000 is a digital breathalyzer with professional fuel cell sensor.
DA 8000 breathalyser offers fuel cell accuracy & precision, reliability and stability over a long period
Benefits of the DA8000
Fuel Cell Sensor
Largest detection range from 0.00 to 5.00% BAC
Best Accuracy Available +/- 0.005%BAC @ 0.1%BAC
4 Digit Display
Large & Bright LCD Baclit display
Automatic Power Off
Low Battery Indicator
Total test counter
Displays %BAC (blood alcohol concentration)
Click here to find out more or to buy DA8000 Fuel Cell Digital Breathalyser
Posted in Da8000 Breathalyser, Fuel Cell Breathalyser, Breathalysers | 1 Comment »
11/11/2008 by admin.
Read this interesting article in the guardian today
Here is an extract from the article
It has become commonplace for people who are overweight to attribute their waistline to their DNA. Now, celebrities caught snorting cocaine might also be able to blame their parents.
Scientists reported yesterday the discovery of a gene that increases the chances of becoming hooked on the drug Addicts were 25% more likely to carry the gene variant than people who did not use cocaine, a study found.
The discovery is unlikely to lead to a treatment for cocaine addicts, but scientists hope it could be used to screen for those most likely to have problems kicking the habit if they ever try the drug.
“If you are a carrier of this gene variant, the likelihood of getting addicted to cocaine is higher,” said Rainer Spanagel, a professor of psychopharmacology at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany, who led the study. “You can certainly use this as a vulnerability marker for cocaine addiction.”
Click here to read the full story online
Posted in Cocaine Addiction, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Cocaine, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
10/11/2008 by admin.
Just found this article below at Timesonline here,
1. Do you ever worry that you drink too much?
2. Have friends or family expressed concern about you about your drinking habits?
3. Do you find you can drink a lot without becoming drunk?
4. Do you need to drink more to have the same effect?
5. Have you tried to stop drinking, but found that you were unable to for more than a few days?
6. Do you carry on drinking even though it is interfering with your work, family or relationships?
7. Do you need a drink to start the day?
8. Do you get shaky, sweaty or anxious a few hours after your last drink?
9. Have you experienced blanks in your memory, where you can’t remember what happened for a period of hours or days?
10. Is your judgement affected by alcohol, so that you do things that you normally wouldn’t, such as starting fights or arguments, having unprotected sex with strangers or becoming violent.
If you answer yes to more than three of these questions, it is indicator of alcohol misuse.
If you’re worried you may be suffering from alcoholism, have a problem with alcohol or just want to cut down your intake visit your GP or for help, support and further information contact one of the following organisations:
Offering support, information and meetings for people who have a problem with alcohol
The national agency on alcohol misuse, providing information and support
Practical advice for people with alcohol problems, their friends and their relatives. Including a directory of rehab centres.
Posted in Alcoholism, Drug & Alcohol Addiction | 1 Comment »