Drug FAQ’s

Federal agencies conducting drug testing must follow standardized procedures established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing include having a Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluate tests. They also identify the five substances (amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates and phencyclidine) tested for in Federal drug-testing programs and require the use of drug labs certified by SAMHSA.
Federal agencies conducting drug testing must follow standardized procedures established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing include having a Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluate tests. They also identify the five substances (amphetamines, cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates and phencyclidine) tested for in Federal drug-testing programs and require the use of drug labs certified by SAMHSA.

Drug Test results can be faxed, mailed or emailed upon request. In the case of results being faxed; you may be asked to sign a statement indicating the fax machine is a secured fax and not broadcasted to everyone.

Generally, Employers have a fair amount of latitude in handling drug testing as they see fit, unless their organization is subject to certain Federal laws (such as U.S. Department of Transportation alcohol and drug testing rules for employees in safety sensitive positions). However, there may be state laws that impact how drug testing can be implemented. For more information, visit the Working Partners Web site’s listing of state laws that impact drug-free workplace issues or contact your state Department of Labor.

The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 requires some Federal contractors and all Federal grantees to agree that they will provide drug-free workplaces as a precondition of receiving a contract or grant from a Federal agency. All organizations covered by it are required to take certain steps, such as publishing and providing a drug-free workplace policy statement to all covered employees and establishing a drug-free employee awareness program. There are also notification requirements regarding if an employee is convicted of a criminal drug violation in the workplace. The Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 does not require drug testing.

Next day for most negative tests. Positives tests can take 2 to 5 days on an average. Usually only one day.

THC is an abbreviation for 11-nor-delta9 Tetrahydrocannibinol-9-carboxylic acid, the primary metabolite of Marijuana. Marijuana is a hallucinogenic agent derived from the leaves, flowers or seeds of the hemp plant. In general, the production and “curing” of the marijuana plant into its useable form closely resembles that of tobacco. Marijuana is almost always smoked and inhaled into the lungs where it is quickly metabolized (or changed) by the body.

Ecstasy (MDMA) has recently become a popular recreational drug among teenagers and young adults. Ecstasy is refined processed form of amphetamine with a chemical makeup closely resembling methamphetamine. Any test with a target screen for methamphetamine should detect Ecstasy although a MDMA specific screen in always preferred.

No. Concentrations in the urine of THC are above the cutoff sensitivity level of the test, or a positive result, are not possible by exposure to second hand smoke.

Cocaine usually only last 1 to 2 days in the body.

Hair testing generally uses 1-1/2 inches of hair represents about 3 months’ of growth. It is generally accepted that in order to test positive, the drug in question must have been used 3 times or more within the window of the test. After a drug is used, it takes about 7-10 days for the hair containing the drug to grow out of the scalp enough to be cut. consequently, the hair test will not include drugs used in the week prior to the test.

Drug Test results can be faxed, mailed or emailed upon request. In the case of results being faxed; you may be asked to sign a statement indicating the fax machine is a secured fax and not broadcasted to everyone.