When buying a test kit for drugs, check that it tests for the drugs you need. Check the product is sealed and has not expired. Read the instructions thoroughly and make sure you understand the process before you start.
Process for testing
- Remove the device from the sealed wrapper, and place on a flat surface.
- Ask the donor to provide 30 to 100ml of urine in a cup.
- It is a good idea to check the temperature as donors have been known to provide fake samples.
- Check the temperature. NOTE. The temperature should be within 90 to 98°F.
- If it’s not don’t accept the sample. Ask the donor to provide a new sample. Remember to check the temperature again.
- Check that the sample has an odour, also observe the color of the sample.
- If you are satisfied that the sample is satisfactory, then proceed with the testing.
Dip drug test kits.
- Remove the cap from the device and immerse the tips of the device into the urine for 20 seconds.
- Remove from the urine and replace the cap.
- NOTE. Only immerse the tips, not the whole device into the urine.
- Place on a flat surface and wait for the results to appear.
Cup drug test kits.
- For cups the process is slightly different. This depends to some extent on the brand. In this example we will use the EliteScreen Eco cup.
- Unscrew the cup lid and place on one side.
- Ask the donor to provide a sample of urine to the level marked on the cup.
- Check the temperature is in range; 93 to 98°F.
- Once confirmed, reattach the lid and wait for 3 minutes then remove the label from the face of the cup.
- Within a few minutes the results will appear. You will start to see a colored lines appear in the window.
- Within five minutes the results will have fully developed.
Interpretation.
- Negative: two lines appear. (C) and (T) lines.
- Invalid: no lines appear or the (C) control line is not present.
- Presumed positive: control line (c) is visible but the test line (T) is not apparent.
In the case of a presumed positive the urine sample should be packaged and sent to a
SAMSHA approved laboratory. This is important as the result needs to be confirmed. The confirmation will quantify the amount of drug(s) found.
The amount found can be used as a reference to compare against future test results.
Buy a test kit for marijuana, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
This is called a 5 panel test. Having 5 panels each of which display the result for a specific drug. This is recommended by
NIDA
Using this kind of test is a sure way to detect most commonly abused drugs by using urine.
There are other drugs that can be screened too, these include, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone and oxycodone.
There are over twenty different drugs that can be tested in this way when you buy a test kit.
Remember to buy a test kit that tests for the drugs you wish to test for and keep it handy for when you might need it. Examples can include: reasonable suspicion, monitoring drug abuse, post accident, return to duty and pre employment.