What is drug testing

Urine drug tests detect a variety of substances, including:

• Cocaine

• Marijuana

• Opiates, including heroin, codeine, and morphine

• Phencyclidine (PCP)

• Amphetamines, including meth

• Barbiturates

• Benzodiazepines

• Diuretics

• Erythropoietin

• Hydrocodone

• Hydromorphone

• Methadone

• Methaqualone

• Oxycodone

• Oxymorphone

• Propoxyphene

• Steroids and HGH

Urine testing/Toxicology is considered 'relevant material' under the Human Tissues Act 2004. 

Consent must be sort and confirmed before any analysis can be undertaken. 

Due to the nature in which point of contact testing is conducted. The person collecting the sample must take steps to ensure integrity and compliance throughout. This is called the chain of custody. 

The clinician needs to ensure that the person being tested cannot tamper with or alter the test in any way. 

ideally, the sample should be given in a room that has no access to an actively working toilet or running water. (If this is possible then the clinician should observe the person being tested to ensure they cannot falsify testing)

Chain of Custody Drug Screening Process  

The Chain of Custody drug screening process accounts for the collection processing and storage of samples collected for testing purposes. The steps in this process require all persons in the testing process to “show their work” and document the steps. The Chain of Custody drug screening process greatly reduces any potential for tampering. More importantly, the steps also ensure that the sample has been collected from a specific donor.

 Collecting the Chain Of Custody Test Sample

Only certain employers will request Chain of Custody drug testing depending on their policies and procedures. 

the first step is for the candidate to provide the sample. It is critical that the certified specimen collector adheres to certain rules when collecting the specimen, such as:

• Provide a secure, private room only accessed by the donor and collector

• Perform only one collection at a time

• Ensure that only the donor and collector handle the specimen  

• Immediately seal the specimen in the presence of the donor

• Cursory check for temperature, color, and scent of specimen

• Keep the specimen in view during the entire process

Confirming Your Identity

clients will already have provided a proper government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.) prior to testing. Additionally, they will also have to confirm their identity as part of the Chain of Custody drug screening process. This way, the clinican knows who you are and they can proceed with certainty.  

Completing the Chain of Custody Form

Both the client and the clinician who is collecting the sample complete the Chain of Custody form declaring that the client is, indeed, who they say they are. They are also both confirming that the sample has been collected in accordance with the rules of the process.

A sample of a form is below, however, some Chain of custody forms are now electronic. 

Some clients may request independent testing, this is allowed, and either the clinician will observe the client taking a second sample or the original sample will be divided into two. - The process is the same both the clinician and the client must seal and sign to show integrity.