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