Is It Easy To Fool A Drug Test?
It is a little easier to fool a drug test than an alcohol test. Proper test procedures or using the new ORAL SCREEN should eliminate the possibilities of a subject switching their urine specimen with another or tampering with the specimen. Drinking large volumes of water will dilute the urine, thereby reducing the concentration of drugs in the urine. The detection of some drugs, such as amphetamines, is affected by the pH of the urine with some kinds of methodologies. Proper procedure and constant monitoring is the only way to eliminate cheating.
Will passive exposure to marijuana smoke result?
The most common used excuse is, "I was around some people who were
smoking pot." Research has shown, however, that casual exposure to
marijuana smoke will not produce a positive test. You really have to work
at being exposed to "passive" smoke to create a positive test.
I've heard that eating poppy seeds on a roll or in bread result in a positive opiate test?
It really depends on the poppy seeds. Some poppy seeds are more potent
than others and eating just one or two rolls containing potent poppy seeds
may result in a positive opiate test. But other rolls containing less potent
poppy seeds may have no effect on a drug test.
In general, what are the drug detection periods?
The following chart illustrates typical drug detection periods. However,
because metabolic rates vary individually and other factors such as age,
weight and amount of drug consumed can affect clearance rate times,
the range stated is necessarily broad. It should be clearly stated that any
forensic drug screen is not intended to determine when drugs were used,
only whether the drug screened for is present at the time the test is performed.
It should also be understood that complete abstinence from the target drug is
required from the start of the "minimum" to the end of the "maximum"
detection period.
|
Typical Drug Detection Periods |
|
Target Drug |
Minimum |
Maximum |
|
Amphetamines |
2-7 hours |
2-4 days |
|
Barbiturates |
2-4 hours |
3 days Phenobarbital:2 weeks or longer |
|
Benzodiazepines |
2-7 hours |
Up to 2 weeks |
|
Cannabinoids
(THC-Marijuana) |
6-18 hours |
Infrequent user: up to 10 days Chronic user:30 days or longer |
|
Cocaine Metabolite |
1-4 hours |
2-3 days |
|
Methadone |
2 hours |
2-4 days |
|
Methaqualone |
3-8 hours |
Up to 10 days |
|
Nicotine (Tobacco) |
4-6 hours |
7 to 10 days |
|
Opiates (Heroin, Morphine, Codeine) |
2 hours |
2-3 days |
|
Phencyclidine (PCP) |
5-7 hours |
3-8 days |
|
Propoxyphene |
4-6 hours |
3-6 days |
|
Rohypnol |
1 hour |
< =12 hours |
|
GHB |
1 hour |
< =12 hours |
How long after drinking can you detect alcohol
It depends on how much the person had to drink and how long ago
they drank. Our bodies eliminate alcohol at the constant rate of about
one drink an hour. (More precisely, our bodies lower our alcohol level by
.015% BAC per hour.) If a person's intoxication level is about .02%,
about one hour later their alcohol level would be zero. On the other hand,
if a person had an alcohol level of .20%, twice the legal limit for drunk
driving in most states, it would take over 13 hours for their alcohol level
to reach zero after they stopped drinking. Once the alcohol
level is zero, no alcohol test can detect the alcohol.
Can mouthwash interfere with the results of a breath alcohol test?
Yes. Proper test procedure requires that the subject have nothing in their
mouth for 10 to 15 minutes prior to testing. If the subject has anything
with alcohol in their mouth just prior to testing, the alcohol in their mouth
will contaminate the test, giving an artificially high reading. However,
15 minutes is sufficient time for all mouthwash to be dissipated.
Is there any way to fool an alcohol test?
A properly administered alcohol test is difficult to fool. As long as the
subject delivers an adequate deep lung breath or gives a sufficient saliva
sample, there is virtually no way to mask the alcohol. If the someone
claims their positive alcohol test is the result of using mouthwash just
prior to being tested, give the person another alcohol test in 15 minutes.
A second positive breath alcohol test after 15 minutes cannot be attributed
to mouthwash or cough syrup.
Is it legal to use on-site drug tests in the workplace?
Drug Screening laws vary from state to state. You may visit
www.Businesslaw.gov to check the laws in your state of business.
What are the advantages to on-site testing?
For the employer:
a) these tests can be administered at the job site
b) it's a simple process with a lower total cost
c) job applicants and employees can go to work immediately
d) fewer workman's comp claims and accidents
e) reduced workman's comp insurance fees
f) less absenteeism and tardiness
For the employee:
a) confidence among employees for the safety of the workplace
b) increased morale
c) increased productivity
What do I need to do to make a drug free workplace?
1. Establish in writing a drug testing policy for your company.
2. All employees will need to sign these policies indicating that they have
read and understand the document.
3. Policies should specify under what conditions you will test them.
For example, random testing only or post accident (injury or non-injury),
suspicion etc.
4. Policies will have to specify the consequences of a positive drug test
confirmed by a second drug test done by a laboratory.
(No punitive action should ever be taken without a confirmatory test.)
5. Consequences of a positive test. Ex. dismissal, a warning, rehabilitation,
or a layoff.
What are these abused drugs and what are their street names?
Amphetamine - Speed, amp, bennies,black beauties, chalk, uppers, hi,
speed balls, beans, hiballs, beeniebabies
Methamphetamine - Crystal, meth, ice,glass, speed, icebergs, bergs, ecstasy
Cocaine - Coke, crank, snow,flake, crack, blow, rock, line, snuff, sugar, snort,
stones
Marijuana - Pot, weed, herb, bud,MJ, doobie, reefer, joint, blunts, grass,
rope, hemp, roach
Phencyclidine(PCP) - Angel dust, sherms, stardust, magic dust, dust,
silver/gold glitters
Opiates(heroin) - Horse, smack, hairyhombre, H, scag, jones, fix
Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines - Downers, uppers,highway, lows
GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyerate) - G, Liquid X,Liquid E, Scoop, Soap,
Gook, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, NaturalSleep-500, Easy
Lay or Gamma 10
Rohypnol - roofies, Roche,R-2, rib and rope
How accurate is the Q.E.D.® test?
The Q.E.D.® test can be used as an accurate screen in place of blood or
breath tests. In clinical trials, saliva alcohol levels measured by the Q.E.D.®
demonstrated high correlation to blood analyzed by gas chromatography (r=0.98).
What range of BAC will the Q.E.D.® test measure?
The Q.E.D.® test has a quantitative range of 0 - 145 mg/dL
(0.0% - 0.145% BAC).
What is an advantage of using the Q.E.D.® instead of an electronic
breath analyzer? Unlike breath testers, you can make a permanent
record of test results for a file by making a copy of the completed test
on a copy machine.
What does a positive reading look like with the QED Saliva Test?
When a Q.E.D.® test result is positive, a dark purple color bar forms within
the measurement scale. This color is distinctly darker than the pink or orange
color seen as the sample fills the device. The color bar on a positive test --
the same color seen in the QA Spot™ -- develops in 2 minutes for the A150
test, in 5 minutes for the A350.
How hard should I press down with the swab?
Gently apply slow and even pressure when placing the swab in the entry
port. Too much pressure can jam the test. For best results, gently twist
the collector into the entry port until the cotton touches the red filter pad
and then begin pressing.
What does the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act mean?
Because work site testing is considered forensic testing, CLIA regulations do
not apply. The waived status for the Q.E.D.® Saliva Alcohol Test under
CLIA '88 makes testing easier in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and
treatment facilities where our test is used as an in-vitro diagnostic tool.
Does the Q.E.D.® test measure residual alcohol in the mouth or is it measuring the alcohol within the entire body (blood stream)?
Beverage alcohol (ethyl alcohol) is absorbed directly and unchanged into
a person's body and is evenly distributed throughout the bloodstream and
other bodily fluids, including saliva. The Q.E.D.® test measures the amount
of alcohol in bodily fluids, commonly called blood-alcohol concentration,
or BAC. Residual alcohol in the mouth just after a person takes a drink is
quickly absorbed, swallowed or evaporated and a person's mouth is "clear"
of residuals 10 minutes after eating or drinking.
Will the Q.E.D.® test react with ketone often found in the saliva of diabetic patients?
No. Unlike breath analyzers and other saliva tests, the Q.E.D.® test is
specific to ethyl alcohol and will not cross-react with acetone and ketone
produced by diabetic patients.
Will the Q.E.D.® device work if it is stored at temperatures outside the range on the packaging?
Storing and using Q.E.D.® tests at room temperature (15-30ºC, 59-86ºF)
insures optimal performance and a full shelf life. However, the Q.E.D.®
test will work fine if exposed to temperatures outside that range for
limited periods. We tested the Q.E.D.® device under a wide range of
temperatures and storage conditions -- simulating the inside of a vehicle
glove box on a hot summer day (about 120ºF) and the lonely cold of
North Dakota in January (about 0ºF). In all cases, the test performed
as it should. Before using a Q.E.D.® Saliva Alcohol Test exposed to
extreme heat, allow the device to cool to room temperature; if the Q.E.D.®
device is exposed to extreme cold, put it into a pocket to warm it up.
How can companies using the Q.E.D.® test in very remote areas comply with DOT regulations?
The DOT will accept results of confirmation tests conducted more than 30
minutes after a positive screening test. Look to 49 CFR Part 40 section 40.65,
paragraph (b). The DOT added a sentence which directs the Breath Alcohol
Technician (BAT) to simply explain "why?" if a confirmation test is done more
than 30 minutes after a screening test. This is not a fatal flaw.
Why should I buy the Q.E.D.® Saliva Alcohol Test if I need an evidential breath testing (EBT) to confirm positive test results?
The Q.E.D.® test is much less expensive to operate than a breath test,
unless you conduct a very high volume of tests in a central location. By
and large, each test done on saliva instead of breath saves money. Plus,
performing two independent tests is more legally defensible on the rare
occasion an employee does test positive for alcohol.
If my child has a beer Saturday evening, will I be able to detect it on Sunday morning?
No. The one beer will be eliminated from the body about one hour after
drinking it. There will be no trace of alcohol the next day.
What if my child has six beers Saturday evening?
It depends on what time he stopped drinking , and how long it took to
drink those six beers. If he drank them rapidly at midnight, he could
produce a maximum intoxication level of about .12% BAC. It would
take about eight hours for his alcohol level to go back to zero. His
alcohol level would be down to zero by about 8:00am. If your son
drank those six beers over the course of the evening, starting at 9:00
and ending at 2:00, his maximum intoxication would be about .05%
BAC. His alcohol level would be down to zero in the morning
What are the benefits of Oratect
The test is objective and easy to run. It can be performed on-site and provides immediate answers. OratectTM is a one-step process. There is no sample handling or any instrumentation required. It is easily observable and does not require gender-based observation. If there is a non-negative result, confirmation can be performed on the same sample.
Oral fluid will provide immediate information about the drug status of the subject. Results will show up in the oral fluid more rapidly than other samples such as urine.
How does the Oral Fluid Rapid Test Work?
The OratectTM Multiple Drug Screen Oral Fluid Test was developed to detect active drugs-of-abuse present in oral fluid. It is a one-step lateral flow immunoassay device for the qualitative detection of drugs of abuse. The device will indicate if the sample was negative or non-negative. If the test is non-negative, further testing is indicated
What is a lateral flow device?
The OratectTMMultiple Drug Screen Oral Fluid Testing is based on a competitive immunoassay procedure in which a membrane with immobilized drug derivatives compete with the drug(s) present in oral fluid for limited binding sites on the colored colloidal gold antibody conjugates. During the test, saliva is collected at the collection pad and migrates across the membrane. If no drug is present, the colored colloidal gold conjugates will bind to the drug derivatives on the membrane to form visible bands at specific test regions.
If a drug is present, it will bind with the colloidal gold antibody conjugate and prevent the latter from binding with the membrane drug derivative, so no drug band will be formed. The lateral flow is the migration and competition across the membrane.
What drugs does the device detect?
The test device will detect the most commonly used drugs including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, opiates, and PCP. In the future, benzodiazepines will also be available.
How do I ensure the device is working correctly?
The device is easy to use. The test subject should not eat, drink, or smoke for a minimum of 10 minutes before testing. The test subject removes the cover from the device. With the test windows facing downward, the device is placed on the right topside of the tongue for 5 seconds and moved to the left topside of the tongue for 5 seconds. The device is turned over so the test windows are facing upward. The test subject holds the device between the tongue and the bottom of the mouth until the pink color flows midway in the test windows. The device is removed and placed on a flat surface for approximately 10 minutes until the color bands are displayed. The control band must be present for the test to be valid.
How accurate is the test?
OratectTM has been shown to be greater than 97% accurate when compared to laboratory based screening and confirmation testing.
How will I know if the oral fluid is non negative for drugs?
The test provides a rapid on-site result. When a subject tests non-negative for a particular drug, there is no band at the drug line. Please note that the control band must be present for the test to be valid.
Is it possible to adulterate the test?
It is very difficult to adulterate the test. Make sure the subject has not eaten or had anything to drink for a minimum of 10 minutes before testing.
Can false positive results occur?
Any screening test can give a "false positive" result. Confirmation testing verifies non-negative results and rules out other potentially interfering drugs that might have caused a non-negative result.
Can false negative results occur?
There is less chance to find a false negative result with an oral fluid sample than with a urine sample because of the availability of urine adulterants on the market. In the case of the urine tests, there are adulterant tests to eliminate false negatives. For oral fluid testing, the chance of false negative results is very low as long as the test subject does not smoke, eat, or drink for a minimum of 10 minutes prior to testing.
