The testing process may be conducted in three ways:
- By using a certified laboratory.
- By using an onsite instrument operated by trained personnel.
- By using onsite noninstrument-based tests (small kits or handheld devices) at the point of contact with the youth.
Several factors should be considered when selecting the most appropriate process for a particular jurisdiction or program. Costs, staff training, and the time it takes to obtain results are some of the important areas to consider.
Laboratory Testing
Using a laboratory to complete the tests usually requires a contract for services. This demands excellent chain-of-custody procedures because the specimen and the results will leave the juvenile justice agency for processing. The agency and the laboratory should enter into a written contract specifying the laboratory's testing equipment, staff qualifications, chain-of-custody practices, and other procedures. The laboratory should have in place procedures for quality control to ensure the accuracy, validity, precision, performance, and reliability of the tests. Sending specimens to a laboratory will require a longer time to obtain results, but the turnaround time should be limited to 72 hours or less (Crowe and Schaefer, 1992). Usually, a commercial laboratory service will be used, but in some communities, there may be a possibility of obtaining services through a criminal justice or healthcare agency laboratory. Even if an agency plans to do initial testing onsite, a laboratory should be identified and contracted to perform any necessary confirmatory tests.
Onsite Instrument-Based Testing
Testing instruments can be purchased or leased for use at an agency for initial immunoassay tests. These instruments can test for one drug at a time or for a group of drugs. Staff who operate these machines must be trained and must follow the manufacturer's suggested procedures for operation. The instruments must be calibrated regularly as directed by the manufacturer to ensure test accuracy. Policies and procedures should include methods for monitoring each aspect of the testing process to ensure quality control. Further, safety precautions for conducting the tests should be incorporated in agency policies. Results should be available relatively quickly with this type of testing; however, sometimes it is more practical and cost-effective to run tests only when there are enough specimens to use all of the instrument's capacity (Crowe and Schaefer, 1992).
Onsite Noninstrument-Based Testing
Several manufacturers have developed portable test devices that are variously called kits, handheld tests, or point-of-contact tests. These tests can analyze for a single drug, and some are available that will detect several drugs at the same time. They are suitable for initial testing and provide qualitative results (the drug is present or not found in the sample). The cutoff levels for these tests are set by the manufacturers and usually are consistent with government and industry standards. Staff training is very important when using these devices. Manufacturer's instructions for operation should be strictly followed. An advantage of this method is the immediacy of results; tests can be performed while the youth watches. The tests also can be used outside the agency, such as on home visits. However, agencies should consider and develop protocols for all testing that include consideration of staff and youth safety (Crowe and Schaefer, 1992).
Note: For more information about these testing options, see "Contracting for drug testing services," "Establishing juvenile justice onsite instrument-based drug testing for initial drug testing," and "Establishing non-instrument-based drug testing" in Drug Testing Guidelines for Juvenile Probation and Parole Agencies, American Probation and Parole Association, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1992.
Source: Crowe, A.H., and Sydney, L. 2000. Ten Steps for Implementing a Program of Controlled Substance Testing of Juveniles. Bulletin. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
