Urine

Benefits: A urine drug test can be undertaken at the laboratory or at any other place, with the help of a kit. It is the test of choice for most people, and is even accepted by the government. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as “the gold standard”.

Limitations: If the urine sample collection is not closely observed, there is the possibility that the specimen might be substituted, leading to erroneous results. Drugs can be detected in the urine only a short time after they have been consumed. Hence, if a person has consumed drugs just prior to the test, it would not be reflected in the urine test. Moreover, for conducting a urine drug test, proper bathroom facilities are required. According to the SAMHSA or NIDA-5 guidelines, the drugs that are currently most abused in the society are not tested.

Saliva

Benefits: Saliva drug testing kits are easy to use and non-invasive. As in the case of urine drug testing, saliva drug testing does not require separate bathroom facilities. Even fairly recent drug use can be detected using saliva testing. Moreover, as the saliva sample can be monitored closely, there are lesser chances of the sample being substituted as in case of a urine test. Only a few minutes are needed for obtaining the results. Different kinds of saliva tests can be utilized to detect the use of different drugs. It is an ideal method to detect recent drug use.

Limitations: It is unfortunate that most people are not aware of the benefits of saliva drug testing. Moreover, there are a lot of false beliefs regarding saliva drug testing, which have been spread mostly by laboratories as they have feel threatened that they might lose money on account of on-site saliva drug testing.

Hair

Benefits: Hair drug testing can detect drugs consumed by the user more than 90 days ago. As the sample can be collected under direct supervision, there are very few chances of the sample being changed Fairly accurate and reliable results can be obtained through hair drug testing.

Limitations: The major limitation is the requirement of laboratory facilities to test the sample. Moreover, drugs consumed recently before the test cannot be detected in such way. A time period of around a week is required for the toxins consumed to be reflected in the results. Another drawback is the cost of getting results if it is compared to the other methods. Any person can resort to shaving off his hair in order to avoid the detection of chemicals.

Spray/Sweat

Benefits: Sweat drug testing is also very easy to undertake. It is a non-invasive method. Moreover, there is no need for bathroom facilities for the collection of the sample, unlike urine drug testing. Drugs consumed by the user a few weeks ago can also be detected through sweat analysis. The sample can be obtained under direct supervision and hence, there are lesser chances of manipulation of the sample. This method can provide the results within a few minutes.

Limitations: There are high chances of a sweat sample getting contaminated. Moreover, the rate of sweat production of different donors is different, due to which it is sometimes difficult to draw accurate results. These tests are less popular as compared to saliva or urine drug tests and hence, there is lack of new innovations in sweat analysis kits. These kits are also more expensive. Only a few toxins can be detected.

Easy to use Drug testing Kits for blood, saliva, and urine. Monitoring devices for checking your glucose and cholesterol level, allergy symptoms, the presence of hepatitis, pregnancy as well as ovulation.

1. Ten Times More Effective Than Urine Drug Tests

With this kind of modern and convenient method, it is now easy for schools and even employers to test students and employees to determine whether or not they have drugs in their system. Hair drug tests come in handy kits with instructions on how to get hair specimens, then send it to the laboratory for evaluation.

2. How It Works:

According to studies, when a person takes in drugs, as with any other substances, such as food, medicines, or drinks, it mixes with our blood, and as we all know, the blood nourishes all parts of our body, including the head. Hints of these chemicals then become trapped or filtered through the hair follicle, thus, as the hair grows, these chemicals are stored in the hair. Interestingly, these chemicals become a part of the hair itself.

- Very accurate

- Chemicals in the hair can be traced

- Traces not just drugs in system at the time, but over the past three months!

- A two-inch sample can give that persons drug history for a four month period of time

- Hair drug testing is much more costly than urine testing

- Hair testing is now widely used due to it’s effectiveness

3. How It’s Done:

- A hair drug test involves cutting a minimum of 50 strands of hair

- Hair must be cut approximately one and a half inches from the scalp

- Hair is then sent to the drug testing laboratory

- The hair is actually screened and reviewed, then liquified for final testing

- There are lots of hair drug testing kits available today

4. Hair Drug Testing Kits

Hair drug testing kits, though widely available, are not affordable. Prices range from $50-$69 for a complete kit. Laboratory processing fees are usually included when you make your purchase.

One point of view to consider tough - a positive test result does not automatically mean the person uses illegal drugs. In fact, positive results are sometimes triggered by other legal substances. One maybe is under medication or taking maintenance medications, or over-the-counter medications. It is wise therefore, that when the confirmation test comes back positive, it is important for a doctor, nurse, or other specialist to review the results and determine if illegal drugs are indeed the guilty party.

5. Beating Hair Drug Tests Is Impossible

Now other smart individuals are finding ways and means to beat the hair drug tests. Some say one can pass it through a kind of shampoo, especially from companies that claim that their shampoo cleans off all the toxins in the hair, but they are wrong. These toxins are already part of the hair follicle’s structure, cleaning it will literally mean taking it all off. The hair is like a plant. If a plant grows in a toxic environment, it will absorb toxins and toxins will become part of its structure - no amount of shampoo will change that.

As we cannot clean off toxins in the hair, can we mask it by bleach or dyeing one’s hair? Maybe for a time, yes we can. But then, our skin is made up of fatty tissues. These fatty tissues are responsible for storing toxins in the body. When our body sweats, it gives off skin oil and release toxins, and these will be touched and be absorbed by the hair. It’s like a cycle. The masked hair will then be contaminated once more.

Others shave off their hair, but sad to say, toxins don’t leave the body anytime soon. If you are being kept in confinement, your hair will slowly grow back in, and your drug use history will come back for all to see with it.

For more great hair drug test related articles and resources check out http://www.topdrugtesting.com

Sounds like more states are going to follow the lead of the big three, Calif, Texas and Florida. It seems as though it is a fair assessment to randomly test schools and athletes in the ultra competitive world of high school sports. Yet, let’s be realistic about the criteria for testing and the safeguards regarding the testing process that must be in place. You have high school athletes competing for state titles and athletic scholarships that can’t afford to be caught. Not to mention coaches, teachers and athletic directors that can’t face that embarrassment. Schools both public and private are already flagrantly recruiting the top athletes to pad their record and sports scholarship stats.

So, what is a little more slight of hand to curb the drug policy going to matter.It should be clear that the guidelines are set just to test for athletic performance drugs. To randomly test athletes for conventional party drugs would eliminate most every water polo player around.

Author is from http://RecruitCity.com - Where Athletes Get Scholarships

The new policy was brought about by threat of legislation from Congress. Under the policy tougher penalties for steroid use are implemented. Under the new policy the players are to be tested during their spring training along with at least one additional test during the regular season as well as being subject to random testing throughout the regular season.

Under the previous policy, penalties were much less severe. For example, for a first offense a player would be subject to a 10-day suspension and then 30 days for a second offense. A third offense would rate a 60 day suspension. The new policy calls for a 50 game suspension for the first offense and a 100 game offense for the second offense. For a third offense the player will receive a lifetime ban. Additionally, after the first offense the player will be subjected to amphetamines testing as well as steroid testing. This is the first time the problem of amphetamine use will have been addressed by a policy with MLB. Under the old policy a player could not receive a lifetime ban until he had been hit with at least a fifth offense.

Under the previous policy testing was also conducted on a much less frequent basis. Testing was conducted at the beginning of spring training with no additional testing through the regular season other than random testing. Under this policy, it was quite possible for a player to only be tested once from the beginning of spring training throughout the regular season.

The policy stipulated that players who tested positive for steroid the year prior to the new policy taking affect would be treated as first time offenders under the new policy if they should test positive again.

It should be noted that in the event a player is banned for life after a third offense under the new policy, a player can apply for permission to return to the game two years after receiving the ban. An independent arbitrator can be assigned for the purpose of reviewing the Commissioner’s decision in this instance.

The policy also takes a stab at possession of illegal steroid use in addition to use of illegal steroids. Players convicted for the possession of illegal steroids are subject to a 60-80 game suspension for the first offense and 120 games to one year for a second offense. A lifetime ban is on the table for a third offense. Players who are convicted of steroid distribution face tougher suspensions for the first offense and are subject to a lifetime ban after the first offense.

Penalties for amphetamine use are slightly less severe than for steroid use. Mandatory follow-up testing is dictated for the first offense with a 25 game suspension for the second offense. An 80 game suspension will be given for the third positive test and at the fourth offense the penalty is left up to the Commissioner, which could include a lifetime ban.

Joe Kenny writes for the UK soccer forum site, FootballTalk.org. Join the football forum for free today and have your say!
Visit today: http://footballtalk.org/

Reasons to Conduct Drug Testing:

• As a screening device. Drug tests help to screen out alcohol and drug abusing employees to protect your business from later day losses.

• As a defensive tool. Drug test protects your company from violence or safety violations by theses employees. It also protects from negligent hiring claims in case of any mishap in the company due to drug abusers.

• Legal requirement. Drug and alcohol testing is mandatory for certain federal and State safety sensitive positions or occupations.

• No discrimination. You have to screen all applicants for drug abuse; no discrimination is allowed against any protected groups. The program should comply with all procedures, safeguards and limitations of testing program.

• Notice. Many drug and alcohol testing laws require that job applicants be notified in advance for company’s drug testing rule.

Starting Drug Testing Consultant Business:

The effects of drug abuse among young people are devastating. It is a hydra headed monster with no exact solution in sight. It has been noticed that home drug testing scares the youth for losing out in job market. This reduces drug abuse among youth considerably.

1. Benefits. Drug testing consultancy is a nascent but a huge market with almost no competition. It has a low start up cost and overheads. You perform yeoman services to the youth and their parents from saving them from the harmful effects of substance abuse.

2. Mentoring and guidance. The state testing laboratories provide with all the training, mentoring, and educative material for starting your drug-testing consultancy services. They provide the following material to start with:

• Twenty-four urine specimen drug test kits for detecting the most commonly used drugs of abuse. This kit is reasonably priced; US FDA approved and gives 99.9% accurate results.

• 25 copies of ‘a how to guide for parents and caregivers’ to keep your kids’ drug free. You can re-order 500 additional copies at no charge of this highly informative booklet.

• Drug test consultant manual with FAQ’s.

• One year of unlimited mentoring about new techniques of testing.

3. Experience. No prior experience necessary, it is extremely easy to start and operate.

4. No franchisee fees. It’s a complete turnkey business for success. It gives quick returns on your investment; all profits are yours as no royalty or franchisee fees to be paid to anyone.

The drug testing consultant business is not only very profitable, but is also a noble way to help keep the youth free from the monster of drug abuse.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

Business Owners all across the country are joining “The Community of Small Business Owners” to receive and provide strategies, insight, tips, support and more on starting, managing, growing, and selling their businesses. As a member, you will have access to true Millionaire Business Owners who will provide strategies and tips from their real-life experiences.

Employers often exercise their rights to administer random drug testing as a way to determine whether or not an employee is a drug user; drug use in the workplace is often blamed for absenteeism, health problems and on-the-job accidents. Although many companies already require pre-employment drug screenings, many claim that random drug testing is more effective at finding the drug users in their workforce. With a pre-employment drug screening, the employee often has at least a few hours of advance warning and therefore can attempt to take measures to “cheat” on the test. Many products are available to help users pass drug screenings; from synthetic urine to agents that mask the appearance of a particular drug, various methods exist for drug abusers to beat the tests.

Most of the random drug testing takes place in settings in which drug use can be hazardous to the well being of others. Factories and warehouses are two prime examples of places that often have random drug testing policies. Forklift drivers under the influence have often been the cause of serious, and occasionally fatal, accidents in the workplace. Drug abusers who work with other heavy machinery or on an assembly line run the risk of injury as well. Random drug testing can often produce quick and accurate results. Some employers have drug-testing kits available on-site, and a simple swab sample from the mouth can give an immediate positive or negative result.

Despite arguments against random drug testing, employers often stand firm on their decision to implement this policy. Whether there is probable cause or not, employers have the right to request drug screening at any time. It is in the employee’s best interest to abstain from drug use, whether on the job or not. Though privacy advocates suggest that random drug testing is a breach of an employee’s right to privacy, the simple fact remains that employers may choose this method if they deem necessary. The debate will likely continue well into the future.

Drug Testing Info provides detailed information about employee, random, high school, hair, and urine drug testing and drug testing kits. Drug Testing Info is the sister site of Prescription Drugs Addiction Web.

The process of performing a hair drug test is fairly simple. Hair samples are taken from any part of the subject’s body, preferably from the head, and tested at a chemical laboratory for detecting the presence of different kinds of drugs including marijuana, cocaine, opiates (morphine, codeine etc.), and amphetamines (e.g. Ecstasy). It is not very useful for subjects to try to get a negative result by shaving their head because hair samples from other body parts also provide evidence of drug abuse. Further, in case hair is not available, hair follicles can be tested for a particular class of drug without affecting the accuracy of the test. This can be much more painful for the subject on account of the extraction of hair follicles out of the skin.

A hair drug test should always be performed at an accredited chemical laboratory, showing whether the drug exists (positive) in the hair or not (negative). The result also shows, in case of a positive result, whether the subject is an occasional or high-level user. Efficient laboratories usually provide the test’s result in two days after receiving the sample. It is important not to mix hair from different body parts in a single sample i.e. hair collected from head are not to be mixed with that from the body. Also, samples collected from hairbrush, or some other object of use, are not recommended for testing.

Conducting a hair drug test of prospective employees is a growing trend in the US despite the cons of hair drug testing. While advocates of hair drug test stress that the results are not affected significantly by usual treatments like shampooing or dying etc., some studies claim that hair washed with certain brands of shampoos show a significantly lower concentration of drugs. Hair testing procedures have also been criticized for being racially biased, particularly against Africans. Further, hair tests may not prove sensitive for certain kinds of drugs, e.g. pot. Despite these points of criticism, the trend of using a hair drug test for determining a history of drug abuse is on a rise in the US.