| "Drug taking is an almost universal phenomenon | | | | billion a year. All these factors have led to |
| and, statistically, those that are not taking drugs | | | | changes in policy and a more proactive approach |
| are abnormal". | | | | towards treatment and rehabilitation for those |
| Most people would like to disagree, but when you | | | | affected. |
| break it down, the above statement is | | | | However, before any form of treatment can |
| remarkably accurate. How so? Well, a drug is | | | | begin, it is important to ascertain exactly what |
| defined as any substance that is used to modify | | | | substance or substances are being misused, at |
| a chemical process or processes in the body. In | | | | what levels and over what time period. This is |
| that respect, pretty much whatever we consume | | | | now possible, due to advances in analytical science. |
| (or allow to enter our bodies) can be considered | | | | Drugs, chemicals and biological substances, when |
| drugs. | | | | ingested, smoked or otherwise permitted entry |
| Still need convincing? Well how about a quick can | | | | into the body, enter the bloodstream and are |
| of Red Bull to 'give you wings', or some | | | | converted into specific metabolites. These |
| paracetamol to help soften the aftermath of last | | | | metabolites, some of which are incorporated into |
| night's antics? And the list goes on - tea, coffee, | | | | keratinised matrices - hair and nails - circulate |
| prescription medication, non-prescription | | | | throughout the body before being excreted via |
| medication, alcohol, recreational (illegal) drugs and | | | | urine or sweat. Upon analysis, if the appropriate |
| even chocolate. | | | | metabolites are present in a given sample, then |
| When you stop to think about it, mankind has | | | | evidence of drug misuse can be concluded. |
| throughout history used, in some way or form, a | | | | The choice of sample analysed will depend upon |
| number of different types of drugs, whether | | | | what you would like to show, as each type of |
| naturally occurring or synthetically produced, to | | | | drug test has its own advantages and |
| alter their state of being, either physically or | | | | disadvantages. For example, if you wanted to |
| mentally. | | | | establish that a drug was consumed recently, |
| So, if drugs and drug takers are part of our | | | | within the last few days, then urine or blood |
| everyday life, wherein lies the problem? | | | | analysis would be the best choice of sample, as |
| Well, any substance, whether considered a 'good' | | | | the window of detection is, depending on the |
| substance (e.g. pain relief medication or coffee) or | | | | drug, between 3 and 6 days. However, if chronic |
| a 'bad' substance (e.g. cannabis or heroin) is | | | | misuse or a pattern of substance abuse needs to |
| dangerous if abused, not only for the individual | | | | be established, then a hair drug test would be the |
| concerned but also for people in close proximity, | | | | best type of test to use. Of course other factors |
| in particular young dependants, as well as the | | | | such as the possibility of adulteration of the |
| community as a whole. To that end there have | | | | sample, storage of the sample, ease of collection |
| been a number of laws implemented within the | | | | and expense should all be taken into consideration. |
| UK, which control the manufacture and supply of | | | | To some extent, the accuracy and sophistication |
| medicinal drugs (Medicines Act 1968) and also | | | | of drug testing techniques has overtaken the |
| prevent the misuse of non-medicinal / illegal drugs | | | | public's acceptance of its use. Society does not, at |
| (Misuse of Drugs act 1971). | | | | present, endorse widespread drug screening |
| In the UK today, recent figures published by the | | | | programmes. However, in those situations where |
| Office of National Statistics suggest a | | | | it has been deemed acceptable to carry out drug |
| conservative figure of 320,000 known problem | | | | screening - prisons, the military and industries such |
| drug users, in addition to the 1.8 million adults who | | | | as aviation - it has proved an effective means |
| drink at harmful levels, with numbers increasing | | | | not only of detecting substance misuse, but also |
| yearly. The financial cost of dealing with substance | | | | of monitoring and supporting drug rehabilitation |
| misuse, in terms of the NHS, loss of productivity | | | | programmes. |
| at work and policing, is estimated at £30 | | | | |