| Methamphetamine is a strong additive drug that | | | | the urine sample in the container. The test strip |
| targets the Central Nervous System (CNS). It is | | | | should be inserted with arrows directing towards |
| also known by its street names like Meth, Speed, | | | | urine sample. The strip should be kept inserted for |
| chalk, and ice. Use of methamphetamine causes | | | | 15-20 seconds. Care must be taken that test strip |
| release of neurotransmitter dopamine, which gives | | | | should be dipped till maximum line only. Then the |
| a feeling of sudden rush or euphoria, increased | | | | strip should be placed on a flat non-absorbent |
| alertness, and hyperactivity. The chronic use of | | | | surface. The test result will be displayed in just 5 |
| methamphetamine results in irritability, insomnia, | | | | minutes. |
| confusion, anxiety, delusions, and paranoia. | | | | How to Read the Results |
| Methamphetamine abuse can be detected by | | | | The results are displayed on the test strips in the |
| Urine, Hair, and Saliva drug testing methods. Urine | | | | form of red or pink bands. The results are |
| drug testing is one of the most convenient, easy, | | | | interpreted as negative, if one red line appears in |
| reliable, and cost-effective methods to find | | | | Control region [C], and another red or pink line |
| Methamphetamine drug abuse in a person. | | | | appears in Test region [T]. This indicates that |
| Specimen Collection and Storage | | | | methamphetamine level is found below detectable |
| The urine specimen from the person should be | | | | level of 1000 ng/ml. The shade of red in test |
| collected in a clean, unbreakable container having | | | | region [T] may vary and results should be |
| no leaks. The specimen collection is an important | | | | considered as negative even if faint pink line |
| process of Urine drug testing, as integrity of | | | | appears. The results are interpreted as positive, if |
| specimen is important for effective results. As | | | | one red line appears in Control region [C] and no |
| there is risk of adulteration of samples, the | | | | line appears in Test region [T]. This indicates that |
| collection of urine specimen should be done under | | | | concentration level is found more than 1000 ng |
| supervision as it increases the integrity of | | | | ml. The results are considered as invalid if no line |
| samples. Urine samples can be collected from any | | | | appears in control region [C]. The result is also |
| time of the day. Care should be taken that no | | | | considered invalid if no line appears in both Control |
| solid particles should be present in samples. If | | | | region [C] and Test region [T]. |
| some solid particles are visible then the specimen | | | | If invalid result is recorded, the testing should be |
| should be centrifuged and filtered to obtain clear | | | | done with new strip. The positive results are |
| specimen. Specimen can be stored at a | | | | preliminary analytical result and advanced |
| temperature of 2-8 degree celsius for 48 hrs | | | | techniques like Gas Chromatography/Mass |
| before testing. If the specimen has to be stored | | | | Spectrometry can be used for confirmatory |
| for longer duration, it can be stored below -20 | | | | purposes. |
| degree Celsius temperature. | | | | A positive result cannot show level of |
| Directions for Use | | | | concentration of drug and route of administration. |
| Immunoassay (IA) technique is used for initial | | | | While negative result indicates that drug is present |
| screening to detect methamphetamine in urine | | | | below cut-off concentration but not a completely |
| samples. The urine sample that has to be tested | | | | drug free urine. |
| should initially be brought to the room | | | | The above information helps to check |
| temperature before testing. Once the sample is | | | | methamphetamine drug presence using urine drug |
| brought to room temperature, the test strip | | | | testing method. |
| provided with the testing kit should be inserted in | | | | |