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Archive for February, 2009

Which Drugs do At-Home Kits Test For?

Friday, February 27th, 2009

In the last post, I discussed whether or not at home drug testing kits were reliable.  If, after reading that, you have decided, that yes, that is the correct option for you, there are a few more questions to go through.

What is the reason that you are looking to use an at-home drug test?  Is it because you suspect that someone in your family or under your care is using or abusing drugs?  Or are you looking to use the threat of a drug test as a deterrent?  There are also people who buy drug tests for home use, so that they will have an indication as to whether or not they will pass a scheduled drug test.  Depending upon your specific reasons, or suspicions, it is important to understand exactly what an at home drug test detects, so that you better understand whether or not it can be a useful tool to you.

Urine Drug Tests:
The majority of at-home urine drug tests on the market will test for signs of drug use in the following 5 categories(also called a 5 panel drug test):
1. Amphetamines (including Methamphetamines)
2. Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
3. Cocaine
4. Opiates (including Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin)
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

Oral Fluid Drug Tests:
1. Amphetamines
2. Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
3. Cocaine
4. Opiates (including Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Oxycodone, Vicodin)
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)
6. Methamphetamines

Hair Drug Tests:
1.  Cocaine
2.  Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)
3.  Opiates (including Codeine, Morphine)
4.  Amphetamines (including Methamphetamines)
5.  Phencyclidine (PCP)
Optional: Extended Opiates Panel (including Oxycodone: Oxycotin, Percocet, Hydrocodone:Vicodin, Lorcet, Hydromorphone: Dilaudid)

Many of these kits do not offer adulteration checks or break down a pass or fail to a specific drug.  Meaning, that if someone was to fail a drug test in the opiate category, it could be from something as innocent as a Tylenol 3, up to something along the lines of heroin use.  Another draw-back to the instant at-home kits is that it is impossible to determine levels of drug use.  This may or may not be important to individuals, depending upon the situation.  There would be no way to determine if someone has “cut back” on their drug use through an at home kit.  There is only a conclusion of drug use or no drug use.

For some situations, an at home drug test may offer the necessary information.  But if the restrictions of these tests do not fit your personal situation, I strongly recommend having a drug test done by certified professionals.

Coming Next: Is drug testing a violation of my child’s privacy?

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What is the Role of At-Home Drug Testing Kits?

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

In recent years the percentage of youth participating in drug use has seemed to increase.  Because of this, the market is overflowing with at home drug testing kits.  These kits are aimed primairily at parents who have suspicions that their children have used drugs. 

Before ever considering using an at-home drug testing kit, consider the following questions. . .

1.  Are these tests accurate and reliable?
2.  What drugs to at home kits test for?
3.  Is drug testing a violation of my child’s privacy?
4.  Where can I get an at-home kit?
5.  What happens if I find out my child is doing drugs?

ARE AT HOME DRUG TESTING KITS ACCURATE AND RELIABLE?
Before saying anything else, I’ll say this, not all at-home drug testing kits are created equal.  I don’t want to say yes, all the tests are accurate, or no, none of them are.  The fact is, just like any other product on the market, there are tests that work well and others that do not.  SureHire has been the largest provider of oral fluid drug testing services in Canada, as well as providing both urine and hair testing services.  And as such, we have come to realize over the years which brands and types of tests work the best for at home use.  If you would like to have a phone or email consultation with a SureHire representative, before taking part in drug testing, we would love to discuss your options with you.
For the average at home drug test, results are available at Point of Collection (POCT).  This means that within about 15 minutes, the results of a drug test are available.  While POCT tests are helpful for drug screening, they are not 100% accurate.  If a test comes back as negative for drugs, particularily in urine, there is a possibility that the donor may have used an adulterate to alter the test results.  If the kit you are using does not test for adulteration, there is always a possibility that the donor may have cheated the test.  If however, a POCT test indicates a positive result for a particular drug, it does not necisarily indicate that the donor has used an illegal drug.  For example, Tylenol 3 falls into the opiate category, but so does heroin.  If someone had used tylenol 3, they will fail a POCT test for the same thing as a heroin addict!  On a similar note, there have been cases where opiate drug abusers have publibly used, or claimed to use a substance such as Tylenol 3, and then gone on to claim that it is the reason they failed a drug test in the opiate category.  Any time a POCT drug test shows a positive result, SureHire encourages companies and individuals to send the sample to the lab to be verified.
That being said, SureHire does not recommend at home urine drug testing kits.  However, if you feel that urine is the best option for the testing you require, we suggest you book an appointment at your local drug testing facility (SureHire has locations in Leduc AB, Edmonton AB, Red Deer AB, Calgary AB, Medicine Hat AB, Grande Praire AB, Lloydminster AB, St. John’s NF and Moncton NB) to ensure the accuracy of the test.

Apart from urine, two other options are also popular for at home drug collection.  They are hair and oral fluid.  Both of these options are substancially better for at home testing.  Neither hair, nor saliva samples are able to be adulterated if the tests are completed properly.  Unfortunately like urine, oral fluid can fall into the same pitfall as urine for indicating a positive, when in fact the donor may legitimately be on prescription medication.  So like a urine drug test, SureHire recommends sending positive oral fluid drug tests to a lab for confirmation. 

When it comes to hair, currently there are no accurate POCT kits available on the market, which means any sample taken at home goes directly to a lab.  While this may delay the results of a test, it also ensures a higher accuracy in the results.

So why, you may ask, dosn’t everyone just use at home hair kits.  The reason comes down to time frames of drug use.
An oral fluid drug tests typically will indicate drug use within the past 24 hours
A urine drug test will typicall indicate drug use within a 3-4 day range (depending on the drug and the frequency of use, this may go up significantly)
A hair test indicates drug use for a 90 period, but cannot narrow down any shorter than 90 segments

Each type of drug test has pros and cons, and when it comes to at home drug testing, it can be confusing for the first time user.  Please call our office for more information about what you have read today, we would be happy to answer any questions or provide direction. 1-866-944-HIRE (4473) or info@surehire.ca

Coming Next Time:  WHAT DRUGS DO AT HOME KITS TEST FOR?

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What Are The Consequences of Prominent Figures/ Roles Models Use of Illegal Drugs

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

In January 2009, photo’s surfaced of olympic gold medal champion, Michael Phelps, using what appears to be a marijuana pipe.  “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment,” stated Phelps  in a statement released to the Associated Press.  While this undoubtedly is true, does this incident have long lasting consequences on society in general?

In September 2006, Paris Hilton was arrested on charges of impaired driving.  Hours after her release, Hilton defended herself to radio host Ryan Seacrest during his Thursday morning show saying, “It was nothing.”  Her cavalier attitude only adds to the growing concerns about celebrity mishaps and their affect on fans.

Both the American and Canadian public have a tendency to idolize individuals who excel in public careers.  Actors, singers and athletes become celebrities and are often not judged on the merit of their work, but rather on their personal lives.  Is this fair? Probably not, but the reality is there.  Unfortunately, some of these “celebrities” do not send out a positive message to their young fans.

Traditionally it has been accepted that people in the “rock and roll” music industry tend to party, and partake in illicit drugs.  And let’s face it, facts are facts,  several prominent figures in music have admitted to having substance abuse problems.  Drug use has been portrayed as a glamorous part of the industry.  Entirely common place.  The harsh reality of addicted meth or cocaine addicts, just dosn’t seem to come across in the tabloids.  A generation has grown up seeing drug use as OK, and even trendy, and now we wonder why drug use and abuse is on the rise amongst youth.  Drugs, and in particular marijuana are seen as no big deal!

In the past 5 years, the trend of drug abuse has been glamorized even further through the “rehab” trend of young Hollywood.  People often joke that it is just part of the “initiation” into the world of Hollywood.  DUI’s (driving under the influence) and short-term jail stints have become envouge.  Now in some American states, as many as 28% of vehichle fatalities have a connection to impaired driving.  We are not getting the message!

And now, professional athletes, who are regarded for their discipline, and dedication to their body and to their sport are succumbing to the influences of drug and alcohol abuse.  It appears as if no one is beyond the grasp of substance abuse.  Who do young people have left to look up to as role models?  Is this all just a coincidence?

Media and celebrity affect each of us in our day to day lives.  Young people idolize celebrities, so when these celebrities take part in risky behaviour, it is seen as socially acceptable, or even cool.

Something has to be done to stop this trend, before it spirals completely out of control.

Posted in Alcohol Testing, Drug Testing, Interesting Facts, Newsworthy, celebrity | 1 Comment »

What is Hair Drug Testing?

Friday, February 6th, 2009

After years of administering oral fluid and urine drug tests, we  have expanded to include hair drug testing.  The addition was made to aid companies and individuals who are looking for a different type of drug testing.

Standard drug testing at most, will show a history of drug use for a few weeks, usually only a few days, or even a few hours, depending upon the type of drug test administered (ie. urine or oral fluid).  For many people this is simply not good enough.  After many requests asking for a longer timeline for drug use, we have implemented hair drug testing.

So the question is what is hair drug testing, and what makes it different?

To begin, let’s examine  “what hair testing is”.

Hair drug testing, uses a 1.5″ (3.8cm) section of hair, typically taken from the crown of the head, to check for drug use.  In cases where head hair is not available, body hair may also be used.  The sample is then stored in a foil in a dark, dry area, until it is sent to a lab.  At the lab the hair is “washed” in order to remove external contaminants.  The sample then undergoes, several distinct processes, including, immunological, gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis.

Through this analaysis, the detection of the use of the following drugs is possible . . .

Opiates (includes Morphine & Heroin)
Cocaine
Amphetamines (including methamphetamines)
Cannabinoids (THC, Marijuana)

Results for a hair drug test, on average are available anywhere from 24 hours, to 4 business days, depending on whether or not drugs are detected.  (Negative results are available more quickly then positive results)

After realizing what hair drug testing is, the need to know what makes it different arises.

  • Hair Drug Tests Cannot be Adulterated!
  • Hair Drug Test are Non-Invasive!
  • Drugs can be detected for up to 90 days on head hair samples, and up to 1 year on body hair samples.

For more information visit  website the Omega Laboratories website.  They are the 2nd largest lab in the world that does hair drug testing.

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Posted in Drug Testing, Newsworthy | 4 Comments »