How to Pass A Drug Test » Illegal Drugs

Military Drug Testing

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:37:04 +0000

Drug testing in the armed forces in all types of the wings (Army, Navy and Airforce) is a must for each and every personal as the military has a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use. The military services conduct several types of no-notice urinalysis drug testing. Positive results on most of these tests can be used for court-martial and discharge procedures.

Department of Defense, which is more popular as DoD is attacking the problem on the two fronts of supply and demand. Education and deterrence are the key aspects of reducing demand for illegal drugs in the defense forces.

Military Drug Tests:

To combat the rising health concern of drug abuse in the defense forces, DoD uses more sensitive tests to detect ecstasy during routine urine testing. Active duty service members must undergo a urine drug test annually. Reserve component members must be tested at least every two years. DoD labs test more than 60,000 urine samples each month, but it would be next to impossible for a mistaken positive result to affect a service member’s career.

The Drug Testing Procedure:

There are several protections built-in to the system to ensure accurate results. There is always a written record of who those individuals who access the sample. People who come in contact with each sample and what exactly they do to the sample are written on the document.

After arrival at the lab, samples undergo an initial immunoassay screening (using the Olympus AU-800 Automated Chemistry Analyzer). Those that test positive for the presence of drugs at this point undergo the same screen once again. Finally, those that come up positive during the second screening test are put through a much more specific gas chromatography/mass spectrometry test. This test can identify specific substances within the urine samples.

Even if a particular drug is detected, if the level is below a certain threshold, the test result is reported back to the commander as negative. DoD labs are equipped to test for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, opiates (including morphine and heroin), barbiturates and PCP. But not all samples are tested for all of these drugs. Every sample gets tested for marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines, including ecstasy.

Tests for other drugs are done at random on different schedules for each lab. Some laboratories do test every sample for every drug. Commanders can request samples be tested for steroids. In this case, the samples are sent to the Olympic testing laboratory at the University of California at Los Angeles.

How to Prevent Good Kids From Making Bad Choices About Drugs

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:31:08 +0000

One of the things that kids value most is the trust and respect of their parents. However, when kids think they won’t get caught, they don’t feel their bond of trust is ever in jeopardy and they do what they want. It’s easy for good kids to make bad choices.

Parenting decisions are only as sound as the facts on which they are based. Unfortunately, parents often make decisions based on fantasy rather than facts.

Let’s explore the topic of teen substance abuse as an example. Too many parents get lulled into a false sense of security because their kids play sports, make good grades, and have “nice” friends. That’s a fantasy.

Speaking factually, about half of all high school seniors have tried illegal drugs. (The numbers go much higher if you include the students who have used tobacco and alcohol.)

From the time children are very young, they’re taught to “just say no” to drugs. I’m convinced that the peer pressure usually gets worse when they do because teens don’t know what to say next.

An emerging trend offers parents direction and hope. Drug testing kits now exist that can be administered at home and provide instant results for a fraction of the cost of a lab, without sacrificing accuracy or privacy. Parents who follow through with such an approach give their teens a socially acceptable excuse. The words “My parents test me” stop pushy peers in their tracks. Additionally, teens’ poor behavior and choices can be made to change when teens know it’s a certainty rather than a remote possibility that their drug use will be discovered.

Parents often ask me when they should talk to their kids, what they should say, and what they can do to follow through. Ben Franklin said, “Wise is the man who fixes his roof before it rains.” I couldn’t agree more. I suggest that parents would be well served to sit down with their children and start talking about the dangers of drugs as early as when their children are in middle school.

While a conversation about the dangers of drug use is an important first step, it’s simply not enough to protect your child without a plan to follow through. To prevent teen drug use in his community in Idaho, Dr. Michael Reznicek, a medical doctor with emergency room experience, actually developed a software program that facilitates the initial parent–child conversation.

Dr. Reznicek believes trust should be earned rather than bestowed. His approach eliminates potential misunderstandings by creating a contract that spells out specific rewards and consequences tied to home drug test results. Additionally, the software he developed becomes the preferred target of potential animosity over requests for hair, urine, or saliva samples for drug testing purposes because it also selects random testing dates.

You’re not alone if you think YOUR teen would “just say no” to drugs. A recent study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that only 18 percent of parents were willing to consider the possibility that THEIR child had tried illegal drugs (not including tobacco or alcohol). It’s no wonder so many teens think their parents won’t find out. They’re right—until it’s too late.

Government Release Drug Driving Advert

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:30:35 +0000

The government has launched a new drug driving campaign, including an advert targeting young male drivers. The advert will be first screened on Monday the 17th of August on ITV warning that police will be able to spot drug drivers by their eyes having constricted or dilated pupils. Research suggests that 1 in 10 males drivers admit to driving while under the influence of drugs.

Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has said “Whatever one’s views on drug taking it is imperative that drug-driving is made totally socially unacceptable”. The department of transport estimate that drivers under the influence of drugs cause 1 in 5 deaths on British roads. They also say that the most likely people to drive on drugs are males between the ages of 17 and 29.

The penalty at the moment for anyone caught drug-driving is up six months in prison and up to a £5000 fine.

The main problem at the moment is there isn’t a roadside device that can test whether or not a driver is on legal or illegal drugs, which makes it is difficult for police to make arrests. They can take suspects back to a police station to perform a drug test.

The television advert focuses on illegal drugs, but other strands of the campaign in print and online will also address the issues surrounding legal prescription drugs.

If you need anymore information on drug driving the Bill Plant Driving School can offer more information about the risks of drug driving drivers. Please feel free to signup to the blog on the website to keep up to date with all driving news.