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.