Transcript Document

USADAOA UADC TRAINING
PURPOSE
This training module will provide you
with a better understanding of the
drug testing process.
ARMY DRUG TESTING POLICY
The Army drug testing program is based on
a “use standard,” not impairment.
You will be in violation of Army Regulation
600-85 if the presence of drugs is detected
in your system.
The amount of drugs or its current effect on
your system is not important when
determining if a drug test is positive.
Drug tests can identify drug use that occurs
several days, and sometimes weeks, prior to
the time of giving a specimen.
SAFEGUARDS
Drug testing is reliable. Over five million
tests have been completed without one
case of false identification by laboratory
error.
Drug and alcohol testing process used by
the Army protects the rights both of the
soldier and the nation.
SAFEGUARDS (cont.)
There are four safeguards to protect
soldiers and the Army:
clear rules for the collection of specimens
only specifically certified laboratories are used
for testing
physician’s review to determine of there is a
medical reason for a positive test
option for a second laboratory evaluation
The entire drug testing process is designed
to ensure that you have a fair and reliable
COLLECTION PROCEDURES
Drug testing begins at the collection site.
A specially trained individual will give you
instructions for providing a specimen. The
Unit Alcohol and Drug Coordinator, UADC, is
the unit collection expert.
The UADC will assist you in completing the
required paperwork.
This process is designed to ensure that
nobody spoils or switches your sample.
COLLECTION PROCEDURES
 This process is called chain of custody.
 Chain of custody at the collection site means:
FORENSIC LABORATORY
Department of Defense laboratory tests are
accurate and reliable.
Chain of custody continues at the laboratory.
Specimens and their chain custody documents
arrive at the laboratory in sealed packages.
Before a specimen can be tested, its package,
sample container, and chain of custody
document are inspected thoroughly for signs of
tampering.
The laboratory will not test samples that do
LABORATORY TESTING
Before testing, the laboratory also
checks for evidence of deliberate
tampering not detected at the collection
site.
The laboratory uses a two test system:
If the first is negative and conforms to
quality control standards, the laboratory
releases the result.
If the test is positive for one or more
drugs, a second, more specific test must
LABORATORY TESTING
(cont.)
The second test is performed by a
process called gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry
(GC/MS).
GC/MS looks for molecular “fingerprints” of
drugs.
Because GC/MS is virtually error proof, it is
called the “goldstandard” of drug testing.
The testing process identifies only
controlled substances. It does not identify
over the counter medication, birth control
LABORATORY TESTING
(cont.)
Your drug testing laboratory is certified
by the Department of Defense.
Certification requires specially trained
personnel and quarterly DA inspections,
in addition to continuous quality control.
Drug testing laboratories are held to the
highest standards of forensic science.
The laboratory will not release a result
that cannot be defended in court.
REPORTING PROCEDURES
Only illegal drug abuse is actionable by your
commander.
All positive drug tests for opiates, amphetamines,
and barbiturates must be reviewed by a physician
before they are actionable by your commander.
This physician, called a Medical Review Officer
(MRO), determines if there are legitimate reasons
for the positive test.
If there are legitimate reasons why you tested
positive, then the MRO would report to your
commander “no urinary conformation of drug
abuse.”
REPORTING PROCEDURES
(cont.)
An individual with a prescription for Tylenol with
codeine will test positive for opiates.
If the MRO finds that the use was according to
doctor’s or dentist’s orders, the MRO will report “no
urinary conformation of drug abuse” to your
commander.
Soldiers who are currently taking prescribed drugs
under medical orders will not be reported as
positive for drug tests.
The drug testing process always allows for a second
opinion. Soldiers may also request a second GC/MS
from the laboratory.
CONCLUSION
An individual always has the opportunity to have a
small portion of the original sample sent to another
laboratory for independent evaluation.
The President of the United States directed your
drug testing program for your safety an the benefit
of the defense of our nation.
The military Court of Appeals has upheld your drug
testing process. And so have thousands of other
courts and commanders.
The drug testing process has been legally reviewed
at every Army and federal level and has been found
to be accurate and reliable.