Drug testing is a subject of a lot of controversy. Many people have argued that this is an invasion of privacy.

Contents

1 The NIDA 5 2 DETECTION PERIODS 3 There are basically four types of drug tests 4 External links

The NIDA 5

In the United States federal government guidelines (by The National Institute on Drug Abuse and The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) require that companies who use professional drivers test their drivers for use of drugs. These tests generally test for five specific drugs:

1. Cannabinoids (marijuana, hash)
2. Cocaine (cocaine, crack, benzoylecognine)
3. Amphetamines (amphetamines, methamphetamines, speed)
4. Opiates (heroin, opium, codeine, morphine)
5. Phencyclidine (PCP)

DETECTION PERIODS

The following chart gives approximate detection periods for each substance by test type. The ranges depend on amount and frequency of use, metabolic rate, body mass, age, overall health, drug tolerance, and urine pH.

SUBSTANCE	URINE	HAIR	BLOOD
Alcohol	6 to 24 h	n/a	unknown
Amphetamine	1 to 4 days	up to 90 days	unknown
Barbiturates	1 to 21 days	unknown	unknown
Benzodiazepines	1 to 42 days	unknown	unknown
Cannabis (single use)	2 to 3 days	up to 90 days	2 to 3 days
Cannabis (habitual use)	up to 12 wk	up to 90 days	2 weeks
Cocaine	4 to 5 days	up to 90 days	unknown
Codeine/Morphine	2 to 4 days	up to 90 days	unknown
Heroin	8 h	up to 90 days	unknown
Methamphetamine	3 to 5 days	up to 90 days	1 to 3 days
PCP	3 to 7 days	up to 90 days	1 to 3 days

There are basically four types of drug tests

Urine drug test This procedure usually involves you going into the bathroom and filling up a cup with your urine. They either use a test card right then for immediate results or send it away to a lab to get tested through a sophisticated gas analyzer.

Hair Follicle drug test Hair testing is quite accurate and can go back 6 months, showing all of the toxins you used in a sort of timeline. Many people try to get around this by just shaving their head. Know that they will go for your underarm, pubic, leg or arm hair if you do not have the required 1/2 inch on your head.

Blood drug test Blood testing is usually performed for serious employment positions or when you are applying for insurance policies. This is expensive and not very common.

Saliva drug test This is not common and can only detect toxins used 3-4 days prior. Insurance companies and law enforcement agencies use this method most often.

External links

• • Drugs-plaza.com about drug test and how to pass (http://www.drugs-plaza.com/drug_test.htm)