Fourteen common basic drugs were screened using a sodium phosphate run buffer. Linearity and reproducibility were analyzed for cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and phencyclidine (PCP). Drug standards, related drug impurities, and adulterants were obtained from the Drug Enforcement Administration. CE was performed using a capillary electropherometer equipped with liquid cooling, a deuterium lamp, and a diode array detector. Gas chromatography was performed using helium as the carrier gas. Results showed that known adulterants and impurities did not interfere with the drug compounds. Comparisons of CE quantitations with results from other laboratory techniques demonstrated the reliable adaptation of CE to the forensic laboratory. The combination of aqueous solubility, ionic properties, and system efficiency allowed for complete separation of common adulterants, impurities, and diluents, and the diode array detector was effective in generating ultraviolet spectral data. 65 references and 3 figures