Drug abuse testing is a way of determining if a person is under the influence of any drug. There are many methods of carrying out drug tests. Law enforcement officers, sports officials and school authorities carry out drug abuse tests.
Drug abuse can be detected by monitoring behavioral changes. These changes range from mood swings to a feeling of low self-esteem. A general lack of interest, a drop in grades and withdrawal from family members are noticeable in youngsters that are victims of drug abuse. Frequent absenteeism from school and changes in style of dressing or taste in music are also symptoms of drug abuse. For drug abusers at a work place, a decrease in their productivity is most noticeable.
The procedure for a drug abuse test is a two-step process. A urine sample is taken from the individual and divided in two parts. One part is tested using immunoassay, a relatively simple, inexpensive, yet highly accurate test. If this test is negative, then the result is declared to be negative, and more tests are carried out. But if the result of the first test turns out to be positive, then a second test is conducted using the other part of the sample.
This second or confirmatory test is performed using a more sophisticated and more expensive technique known as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or thin-layer chromatography (TLC). If this test too shows positive, then the person tested is declared to be under the influence of drugs. If this test shows negative, the earlier test is deemed inaccurate. As this virtually a 100% accurate process, the results can be upheld in a court of law.
There are also many drug abuse test kits available. The saliva and urine drug test can now be conducted using strips and integrated cups. The result of this test can be obtained in a matter of minutes. Schools conduct thee tests in order to keep a check on drug abuse in children and young adults, as they are highly impressionable and more susceptible to drug abuse.
Drug Abuse provides detailed information on Drug Abuse, Drug Abuse Treatments, Drug Abuse Treatment Centers, Teen Drug Abuse and more. Drug Abuse is affiliated with Drug Abuse Treatment Programs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey
0 comments