NCJ Number
101396
Journal
PharmChem Newsletter Volume: 12 Issue: 5 Dated: (September-October 1983)
Date Published
1983
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Methods that chemists can use to identify drugs in body fluids include gas chromatography, thin layer chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, mass spectometry, spectrophotometric assays, and immunoassays.
Abstract
Some tests take hours to perform and are highly specific. Others take seconds, but may only indicate the use of a general class of drugs. Hospitals use testing for therapeutic purposes. Methadone maintenance clinics, drug detoxification clinics, and parole and probation offices all use urinalysis for drug abuse as central parts of their programs. Testing of athletes, military personnel, and even company employees is becoming increasingly common. Cost, analysis time, specificity, accuracy, and sensitivity all affect the decision on which testing method to use. Detailed analyses of each methodology in relation to each of these factors are presented.