12/04/2010 by admin.

Undertaking drug testing for the first time can be a daunting task, but the basic proceedure is very simple.

An initial urine sample is collected and brought to room temperature (usually 20 minutes) The sample is then tested using a standard panel combination drug test. The cut off levels for drug test panels is internationally agreed and traditionally work to SAMHSA and NIDA levels for urine analysis.

Professionally produced and batch certified drug testing urine kits are between 97 and 99% accurate when compared in studies to laboratory drug screening using GC/MS methods. This level of accuracy is considered by all bodies as high enough to be acceptable for all negative onsite drug test results.

In simple terms, if the instant drug test result is all normal, and the sample collection and procedure are all acceptable no further action need be taken.

Confirming all positive results is essential in a workplace situation. No further action should be taken before laboratory GC/MS confirmation of a positive result is obtained.

Where employment drug testing is part of a occupational risk assessment for a high risk occupation, the employee should not be allowed to perform this task pending the confirmation result, but no disciplinary or penalty action must be taken by the employer before absolute confirmation is obtained.

Standard drug test panel combinations for the UK and EU employment drug testing tend to be THC, COC, AMP, MET, MOP

THC = Cannabis 50ng

COC = Cocaine 300ng

AMP= Amphetamine 1000ng

MOP = Opiates 300ng

MET = Methamphetamine 1000ng

Click here for more info on drug testing kits

Posted in Drug testing in the workplace, Drug Testing faq's, Drug screening, Drug screen, Urine drug test, Drug Test, Drug Test FAQ, Drug testing in football, Employment Drug Testing, Drug Detection Times, Workplace drug testing, Drug testing at work, Drug testing in construction industry, Drug Testing | No Comments »

25/11/2009 by admin.

Q) Is testing for drugs difficult and does it work ?

A) Drug testing is an easy and accurate method of detecting drug misuse.

Q) How can I screen for drugs of abuse & what do I do with the results ?

A) Most drugs can be screened for using either saliva or urine. These tests are immediate with results in under 10 minutes on-site. Confirmation samples can then be sent for laboratory analysis on positive samples. Negative samples are not usually followed as the accuracy of this biotech is very good.

Q) How effective are skin wipes for testing for drugs ?

A) Skin wipes are less available and have only been marketed recently, so their effectiveness and selectivity remains to be proven clinically.

Q) Can blood be tested for drugs ?

A) Blood testing is only used for a limited range of drugs and is not available for business or private use.

Q) Is hair testing for drugs available ?

A) Hair testing looks back up to 3 months but is lab based and expensive per screen. Mostly this makes urine and saliva the first choice screening method.

Q) How long do drug tests detect drugs for ?

 A) Urine Drug Detection Times & Cut Offs
Abbreviated name on drug test, proper name, other names approximate detectable time it remains in the URINE after use.

OUR URINE TEST CODES, SENSITIVITY & DETECTION TIMES

AMP 1000ng/ml Amphetamines Speed, amph or whizz. 2-6 days
BAR 300ng/ml Barbiturates Depressants, Barbs, Downers 3-8 days
BUP 10ng/ml Buprenorphine Subutex 3-6 days
BZO 300ng/ml Benzodiazepines Benzos, Rohypnol or roofies 2-14 days
COC 300ng/ml Cocaine Coke, crack or charlie. 2-5 days
MDMA 1000ng/ml Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Ecstasy or E’s 2-6 days
MET 1000ng/ml Methamphetamines Glass, ice or meth. 2-6 days
MOP 300ng/ml Morphine 2-5 days
MTD 1000ng/ml Methadone Dolly, Red Rock 2-8 days
OPI 2000ng/ml Opiates Heroin, smack or gear. 2-5 days
PCP 25ng/ml Phencyclidine Angel dust or peace pill 3 - 8 days
TCA 300ng/ml Tricyclic Antidepressants TCA 6 -10 days depending on duration of drug use.
THC 50ng/ml Marijuana Cannabis, puff, spliff or hash. Casual use 2-14 days heavy use up to 30 days.
EDDP 300ng/ml EDDP screening tests. Detects for up to 5 days after use
OXY 300ng/ml Oxycodone 2-5 days
PXP 300ng/ml Propoxythene 2-5days

The amount of time drugs stay in the body depends on many factors such as, the amount of the drug taken, its strength, purity, the body weight of the person being tested and rate of metabolism, and whether they are a casual user or a long term user.

Saliva or Oral Fluid Drug Testing Detection Times

Cut offs are brand specific and as a guide the window period for drug detection using saliva or oral fluid drug test are shorter than comparable urine test.

ORALINE IV SALIVA TEST

THC 4ng Cannabis detection for 14-24hrs
COC 25ng Cocaine detection for 24-48hrs
OPI 2ng Opiate & heroin detection for 7-21hrs
MET 3.75ng Methamphetamines & Amphetamine detection for 72hrs

INSTANT VIEW SALIVA DRUG TEST

Cannabis, 12ng/ml up to 14 hrs
Cocaine, 20ng/ml up to 24hrs
Opiates, 40ng/ml up to 48 hrs
Amphetamine, 50ng/nl up to 72 hrs
Benzodiazepines 50ng/ml up to 48 hrs

INSTALERT SALIVA TWIST ORAL DRUG TEST

AMP 50ng/ml Amphetamine up to 72hrs
THC 12ng/ml Cannabis up to 12hrs
MET 50ng/ml Methamphetamine up to 72 hrs
OPI 40ng/ml Opiate & Heroin up to 48 hrs
COC 20ng/ml Coacine up to 24 hrs
MTD 30ng/ml Methadone up to 48 hrs

Click here for more info on drug testing kits for urine and saliva

Posted in Drug Testing faq's, Drug Test FAQ, Drug Detection Times, Drug Testing | No Comments »

01/10/2009 by admin.

With drug use on the increase in under 16 year olds in the UK, worried parents are turning to home drug test kits to identify specific drug problems.  Consumers are able to purchase a variety of testing kits which will identify if drug residues are still present in either saliva or a urine sample.

Saliva drug tests are prefered as they are easy to take without a doubt over the sample having come fresh from the donor. Urine drug tests will detect further back in time, but obtaining and handling a urine sample can be problematic for some parents.

The accuracy of both formats is very high at a quoted 98-99% compared to laboratory GC/MS tests methods (the gold standard in drug screening)  Both saliva and urine drug tests give results within 5 minutes which is a great advantage.

Expect to pay between £3 to £10 for single or multipack urine drug tests and a little more for saliva drug tests.

More information on instant drug tests here

Posted in Drug testing teenagers, Drug Test FAQ, Oral Drug Testing, Saliva Drug Test, Cannabis | No Comments »

16/09/2009 by admin.

Drug testing often raises as many questions as it resolves. Here is a list of the most common queries we receive.

• Are the drug tests accurate  ~ instant drug tests are very accurate with between 97-99% accuracy compared to lab drug test proceedures
• How sensitive are the drug tests ~ there is variation between brands but all test to tiny concentration levels ng/ml nanogrammes/ ml
• How long do drug tests detect for ~ see our detection times section, again brands and types vary
• Will medications affect the result ~ possibly, the manufacturer will have a list of cross reacting substances available
• What is best, urine or saliva drug tests ~ urine drug test detection times are longer, but saliva is easier to collect
• What is chain of custody ~ the proceedure followed in collecting and testing the sample ensuring it’s fresh, unadulerated and from the person you think.
• Should instant drug tests be confirmed ~ only where a positive indicator is shown, all suspected positive detections need confirmation
• What is the standard employment combination drug test ~ cannabis, cocaine, opiates, amphetamine & methamphetamine
• Does drinking massive amounts work ~ only in the few hours around when the result would be turning negative anyway

For a more comprehensive guide to drug testing visit UKDrugTesting.co.uk

Posted in Drug Testing faq's, Drug Test FAQ | No Comments »