There are several methods used in conducting drug tests. Bodily specimens are chemically tested to detect any evidence of recent drug use. However, employers should be aware of which types of drug tests are approved by state laws. Urine is the most common specimen used for drug tests as also recommended by the SAMHSA’s guidelines for drug testing. Breath test is more commonly used for alcohol test as reflected in DOT guidelines.
The results of a urine test generally reflect the presence or absence of drug metabolites in urine. Metabolites are considered residues remaining in the body after the effects of the drugs have subsided. However, employers need to know that positive result would not mean that a person was under the influence of drugs at that time. Instead, it detects and measures the use of a certain drug prior to the drug test and thus becomes the evidence of current use.
A blood test measures the actual amount of drugs in the blood at the time of the test. These samples can provide an accurate measurement of the active drug present when the samples were drawn. While it is considered a better indicator of recent drug use than urine tests, there is still a lack of published data connecting blood levels for drugs. Blood tests also have a very short detection period, as most drugs are cleared off the blood and deposited in the urine.
A hair test analysis provides a longer and more complete drug-use history that can be traced as far back as 90 days. Like the urine test, it only gives an evidence of a past use of a particular drug. Hair testing is the least invasive form of drug testing, thus privacy issues are lessened.
Saliva or oral fluids can also be used to detect drug or alcohol traces. The samples are easily collected from the mouth by swabbing the inner cheek. It is harder to adulterate or replace and may be a better option in detecting specific substances such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and methamphetamines. It is also shows more promise in determining current drug use and impairment.
The sweat test is done by placing a skin patch to measure drugs in sweat. The l bandage-type adhesive is applied to the skin and worn for a certain period of time. The patch also has a gas-permeable film that protects the tested area from contaminants. Although easy to administer, it has not yet been widely used as a drug testing measure in the workplace.
Whatever type of drug test that employers would decide to implement in their company drug-testing policy, one source they can rely on for accurate and reliable drug testing kits is Testcountry. Testcountry offers a wide variety of affordable and quality drug test kits, ranging from urine, hair, saliva, blood or sweat tests. Testcountry test kits give the same accuracy levels as tests done in the laboratories. These drug test kits are available at Testcountry.com.
Below are some of the drug testing centers in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area:
• LabWorks NW
10940 SW Barnes Rd. # 115, Portland, OR 97225
Phone: (503) 582-8000
Fax: (503) 292-1971
• Wolfgang Associates, Inc.
7220 SW Sylvan Court, Portland, OR 97225-3742
Phone: (503) 297-4113
Fax: (503) 297-4748
Toll Free Number: (866) 538-4788
• Cascade Occupational Medicine
Anchor Park 3449 N. Anchor Suite 500, Portland, OR 97217
Phone: (503) 285-6627
Fax: (503) 978-0989
• Advanced Diagnostic Services Inc
9106 NE Highway 99, Suite F, Vancouver, WA 98665
Phone: (360) 546-1986
• Drug Screen Collections
16811 SE McGillivray Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98683
Phone: (360) 254-1649
• ADC Test Clinic, Inc.
5501 NE 109th Ct. Ste #E, Vancouver, WA 98662
Phone: (360) 256-0322
Fax: (360) 256-0611
