Figure 3
Cons • Does not detect illicit drug use beyond 48 hours
• Cannot measure frequency of use • Not currently approved for federal testing (SAMHSA is in the process of defining rules to incorporate it for future federal testing)
familiarity, its cost to test, and its detection of a wide range of drugs for inclusion on test panels. A significant problem with urine testing is
that it is vulnerable to “cheating,” especially in unmonitored collection situations.
Pros • Inexpensive • Longevity in industry and proven track record
• Detects recent drug use (previous 2–72 hours in general, but various drugs can have longer detection times depending on the history of use)
• Dependable • Approved for federal testing (including Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Applicable for a variety of testing reasons including—pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, follow-up and return-to-duty screening
Cons • Easily manipulated • Adulteration (placing something in urine so drugs will not be detected)
• Dilution (drinking a lot of water over a short period of time)
• Substitution (using fluid other than the donor’s own urine)
• Collection process is not observed 58 datia focus
• Cannot measure frequency of illicit drug use, nor does it indicate severity of impairment
Saliva (Oral Fluid) The donor collects oral fluid drug tests while under supervised observation, which makes tampering with the test sample virtually impossible. Oral fluid is a good specimen type for
remote work locations and organizations who have physical contact with their candidates and employees (i.e. offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, etc.). The narrow but immediate detection
window makes it a natural choice for reasonable suspicion testing and for post- accident testing.
Pros • Inexpensive • Detects recent drug use (up to 48 hours) • Sample collected under direct observation (difficult to cheat)
• Lab-based testing has proven to be scientifically accurate (equivalent to urine)
• Applicable for a variety of testing reasons including—pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, follow- up and return-to-duty
Hair Hair testing can be useful in setings where drug testing is scheduled (such as pre- employment and return-to-duty screenings), because of its long detection window. An individual with substance abuse
issues may choose to abstain from drug use for a few days when facing a scheduled oral fluid or urine drug test in order to subvert the detection of drugs in their body. It can be far more difficult for habitual
drug users to refrain from drug use for 90 days in order to pass a hair test.
Pros • Long detection window (up to 90 days) • Higher rate of positive results, and a good test for cocaine detection
• Can reveal historical paterns of drug use • Highest donor “fear factor” which may result in some donors electing not to test
• Not easily subverted • Suitable for pre-employment and is generally a preferred specimen for this type of testing due to detection window
• Also suitable for random and return to duty testing
Cons • Relatively high cost • Takes approximately 5 to 10 days from the time of drug use for detection
• Poor specimen to detect sporadic drug use, including marijuana
• Longer turnaround times • Challenging when donor has shaved or is void of head/body hair
• Not approved for DOT federal testing Spring 2016
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