Cansford Labs Blog

We understand the desire of government and the family court service to reduce costs and improve delivery of expert witness services. At Cansford we are very conscious that delays in getting results of testing can be very frustrating. It can lead to extra costs, as Court cases have to be put back. And worse, it can add to the trauma that children have to suffer because resolution takes so long.

Can you afford to wait several weeks for drug results?

Cansford Laboratories will get competitively priced routine drug results to you within 3 working days as a standard service at no extra cost.

An interesting article on the differences between Ecstasy and Mephedrone published by Medical Press has just been published which is worth reading. Recreational drug users who switch from ecstasy to mephedrone don't understand the dangers.

Do you really need an accredited testing laboratory?

Drug/alcohol testing laboratories do not have to be accredited in order to analyse samples, i.e., it is not a regulated industry like some regulated industries e.g. financial institutions are regulated by the financial services authority.

The analysis of drugs of abuse in oral fluid is becoming more widely used and accepted across a number of testing disciplines, particularly because it is so simple to collect in comparison to urine. Oral fluid testing is now practiced in a variety of settings such as the workplace, drug-treatment centres, health assessments, and in the legal arena.

Data published by the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (NPSAD) has highlighted the increase in drug related deaths due to the use of ‘legal highs’ commonly referred to as Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS).

http://www.sgul.ac.uk/media/latest-news/deaths-report-reflects-growing-impact-of-lethal-2018legal-highs2019

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-26089126

The presence of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in toxicology tests performed for post mortem examinations indicated the prevalence of NPS has increased 800% over three years (2009 – 2012).

Cansford Laboratories presented the increasing incidence of one NPS, Mephedrone (Meow Meow) use at the Society of Hair Testing in Toronto during 2012 (press here for link). Previously, we reported an increase in the number of samples testing positive for Mephedrone (press here for link).

From Cansford laboratory’s data, we are noticing an increasing number of samples testing positive for Amphetamines, with Mephedrone still being positive in around 10% of samples which are analysed for the drug.

The report on NPS also highlights the increasing prevalence of Ketamine derivatives. In samples which have been analysed for the presence of Ketamine, we have experienced a positivity rate of around 43%. The data discussed in this article all relate to our family law cases, as such the relatively high proportion of samples which are positive for Ketamine could be due to known usage of the drug, as a consequence the presence of Ketamine in a hair sample could be expected.

Poly-drug use

Whilst the analysis of samples for single specific drug groups can be seen as a cost saving measure, the danger is that poly-drug use can be missed. The report comments on the recent rise in the use of Opiates together with other substances in drug-related deaths. The analysis of the Opiates group in isolation could mask poly-drug use in an individual.

The production and supply of legal highs is not an issue which is going to disappear overnight, however, with reports such as the NPSAD report in the public domain, the dangers of NPS together with more “traditional” drugs of abuse can be highlighted.

If you require any further information on the services which Cansford Laboratories are able to offer, including the analysis of Mephedrone and Ketamine in hair or oral fluid, do not hesitate to contact us on 02920 682 031 or send us an email to info@cansfordlabs.co.uk

Drug abuse and drug testing

Drug abuse is often a hidden and denied problem that is evidenced by problem behaviours rather than overt drug taking.

The degree of training varies tremendously from company to company yet it is this part of the drug & alcohol testing process that is most commonly the weakest link in the ‘chain of custody’ process and therefore the most liable to challenges if not performed correctly!

Not all sample collectors are the same!

When you are having someone come into your organisation to collect a hair sample it is very important that they know what they are doing and disrupt your normal activities as little as possible.