How does test work?
Jim Tedrow, of CRG Laboratories, answered questions people might have about the type of drug test Edmond Public Schools will use. The company has a contract with the district to run the tests.
What type of test is being used?
The samples are taken by collecting oral fluid. The collection device resembles a tongue depressor with a hard cotton-like substance on it. It will be placed under the student's tongue and left there for about five minutes to collect the sample.
The lab workers will extract the fluid from the sample and will test it for alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs. Any confirmed positive result is reviewed by a medical doctor who serves as a medical review officer at CRG Laboratories. This officer has the power to overturn a result if, for example, there's a valid explanation for what happened.
“If the kid has a prescription for codeine, and he's positive for marijuana, that's not going to cut it, but if he's positive for codeine and has a prescription for codeine, that's a valid medical explanation for that result.” Edmond is the first school district client of CRG Laboratories to use this type of test. Other school districts that have contracts with the lab use urine analysis.
Why not use urine analysis?
With this type of test, there's more control over the collection. When a urine sample is collected, the donor has a window of time while alone in a restroom collecting the sample where they may attempt to cheat or alter the test.
“If they're inclined to try to sneak something in to substitute or adulterate their sample, they do have a greater ability to do that in a urine test,” Tedrow said. “That doesn't really exist at all in the oral side because the collector is right there in front of them the whole time.”
The other benefit is it's a more discrete process than having someone go into the restroom and bring out a urine sample.
How long will it take to get the results?
It should take less than 24 hours. Tedrow said the lab can usually provide negative results within the same day.
If a positive result is revealed, a secondary confirmation tests is conducted to specifically identify and quantify the drug, or drugs, in question. That takes about three days. This second round of testing provides more specific information about what was found.
“The prevalence of a false positive, because we're doing the confirmation test, is going to be virtually nonexistent,” Tedrow said.