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Drug-Testing Methods and Reliability

NCJ Number
161681
Journal
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (October- December 1990) Pages: 419-428
Author(s)
D W Fretthold
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the urinalysis methods used by laboratories in employee drug testing programs and suggests guidelines for drug testing programs.
Abstract
Federally designed procedures designed for analyzing government employee samples have become the highest standard for performing such tests, although no guidelines specifically address drug testing in the private sector. Samples and analysis should be handled in a manner that ensures that test results are legally defensible. Enzyme immunoassay is the technique used to perform the initial test on these samples. Positive test samples identified by this method are tested again by gas chromotography-mass spectrometry. A large amount of data supports the reliability of drug testing performed by a qualified laboratory. Specific safeguards further ensure that no false positive results are ever reported, that all results can be verified by reanalysis if necessary, and that only cases of illegal drug abuser are ever brought to the attention of the employer. Figures and 16 references (Author abstract modified)