NCJ Number
63774
Editor(s)
J WORRALL
Date Published
1979
Length
35 pages
Annotation
SPECIFIC INFORMATION IS GIVEN ON THE USES AND POTENTIAL MERITS OF URINE SCREENING AS A METHOD FOR DRUG ABUSE TESTING, AND ON APPROACHES, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES TO BE CONSIDERED IN ESTABLISHING A URINALYSIS PROGRAM.
Abstract
THIS BOOKLET HAS THREE PURPOSES: (1) TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE SUCCESSFUL CORRECTIONAL DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS, (2) TO DISCUSS THE BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF URINALYSIS SCREENING IN CORRECTIONS, AND (3) TO ANSWER PRACTICAL QUESTIONS ON HOW TO ORGANIZE AND OPERATE DRUG-ABUSE TESTING PROGRAMS. A DISCUSSION OF CALIFORNIA'S CIVIL ADDICT PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES THE BENEFITS AND ESTIMATED SAVINGS OF SUCH A PROGRAM. THE POTENTIAL USES AND LIMITATIONS OF URINALYSIS TESTING IN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CONTEXT ARE ALSO DETAILED. TWO BASIC PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING URINALYSIS TEST RESULTS ARE COMPARED. THE FIRST AND OLDER PROCEDURE IS TO SEND THE URINE SAMPLES TO A COMMERCIAL, HOSPITAL, OR GOVERNMENT LABORATORY WHERE THEY ARE PROCESSED AND THE RESULTS ARE MAILED OR TELEPHONED BACK TO THE SENDING AGENCY. THE SECOND PROCEDURE IS FOR THE AGENCY TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CARRY OUT ITS OWN TESTS (ONSITE). WHEN URINALYSIS RESULTS ARE USED INHOUSE FOR ADMINISTERING CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, FEW LEGAL PROBLEMS ARISE. HOWEVER, IF THE TESTS ARE USED FOR OTHER PURPOSES, LEGAL ISSUES BECOME A MAJOR CONCERN. THEREFORE, THE ADMINISTRATOR STARTING A URINE SCREENING PROGRAM SHOULD CONSULT LEGAL COUNSEL. FOUR INDIVIDUAL LOCAL PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATED DRUG ABUSE TESTING INTO THEIR PROGRAMS ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION, NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PROGRAMS AND KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSONS. ALSO, TWO MAJOR NATIONAL PROGRAMS--DRUG SCREENING IN THE FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM AND LEAA'S TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES TO STREET CRIMES (TASC)--ARE DESCRIBED. THE REPORT INCLUDES REFERENCE NOTES AND PHOTOGRAPHS. APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY, A TASC PROJECT DIRECTORY, AND PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING ONSITE URINALYSIS TESTS. (PRG)