Drug Testing Matters
Drug Testing Matters is a continuing education newsletter by the National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) on topics of interest to laboratories, laboratory staff, and inspectors. Laboratories may use these short sessions as part of their internal staff training programs.
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Chain of Custody in Federally Regulated Workplace Drug Testing Programs
February 2024
Author: Mr. Omoware Osanyintolu
Chain of custody (COC) is a chronological documentation/process used to track the movement and control of specimens from the collection site through a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-certified test facility (i.e., laboratory or Instrumented Initial Test Facility). This article pertains to the COC in Federally Regulated Workplace Drug Testing Programs.
Method Validation Part 1: Validating Immunoassays for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2014)
Author: Leland McClure
The first part of the Method Validation series covers validation of immunoassay methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 2: Validating Specimen Validity Testing for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2015)
Author: Leland McClure
The second part of the Method Validation series covers validation of specimen validity testing methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 3: Validating Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2019)
Author: Leland McClure
The third part of the Method Validation series covers validation of GC-MS methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 4: Validating Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2014)
Author: Leland McClure
The fourth part of the Method Validation series covers validation of LC-MS methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 5: Validating Specimen Collection Devices for Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023
Author: Leland McClure
The fifth part of the Method Validation series covers validation of oral fluid collection devices according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Methamphetamine Enantiomers Part 1: Analysis and Result Interpretation
January 2013
Author: Francis Esposito
Methamphetamine stereochemistry and enantiomer analysis, including interpretation and purity in OTC nasal inhalers.
Methamphetamine Enantiomers Part 2: Proficiency Testing Results and Analysis Enhancements
June 2013
Author: Francis Esposito
Laboratory testing capabilities for methamphetamine enantiomer testing, including PT results and recommendations to enhance testing in federally regulated workplace programs.
Performance Testing: Issues with Amphetamines Caused by Periodate Oxidation
October 2018
Author: Francis Esposito
Four PT errors caused by the production of amphetamine from methamphetamine and MDA from MDMA. In each case, improper conditions during the periodate oxidation step prior to extraction led to the demethylation.
Cannabinoid Metabolites Pose Analytical Challenges in Urine Drug Testing Laboratories
November 2019
Author: Dale Hart
Use of acidic derivatization reagents can cause CBDA to convert into THCA during sample preparation. A special PT set was administered to HHS-certified laboratories to investigate this.
Cannabis Use and Associated Risks
March 2020
Author: Edward J Cone
Summary of the risks associated with use of cannabinoids, with a special focus on CBD and products for oral consumption and vaping.
Effects of Δ8-THCA on Initial and Confirmatory Testing for Cannabinoids in Urine
November 2020
Author: Dale Hart
A special PT set was sent to HSS-certified laboratories to investigate potential interference from Δ8‑THCA on the detection of Δ9‑THCA in urine drug testing.
Opioids Part 1: Opioids History and Chemical Structures
August 2018 (originally 2011)
Authors: James Bourland, updated by Robert M White
Presents the history and chemical structures of six common opioids.
Opioids Part 2: Opioids Pharmacology
August 2018 (originally 2012)
Authors: James Bourland, updated by Robert M White
Presents the Opioid pharmacology of pain management and addiction, including the opioid and dopamine receptors.
Opioids Part 3: Opioids Metabolism
August 2018 (originally 2012 & 2018)
Authors: James Bourland & Robert M White
Describes the phase I and phase II metabolism of common opioids such as heroin, morphine, codeine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone.
Opioids Part 4: Opioids Result Interpretation Issues
August 2018 (originally 2012)
Authors: James Bourland, updated by Robert M White
Discusses the challenges of interpreting opioid results from regulated workplace drug testing.
Opioids Part 5: Prescription
November 2012
Author: Richard Hilderbrand
Discuss the growing problem of nonmedical use of prescription drugs, and in particular opioids.
Opioids Part 6: The Fentanyl Family of Opioids
October 2013
Author: Richard Hilderbrand
Precents the fentanyl family of drugs including prescription drugs and illicit analogs.
Analysis of 6-Acetylmorphine in the Presence of Interfering Compounds
July 2019
Author: Cynthia Lewallen
Five PT errors caused by the interference of opioids or their metabolites when analyzing 6-acetylmorphine are discussed.
An Essential Medicine and Drug of Abuse: Prevalence and Pharmacology of Methadone
November 2021
Authors: Katherine Bollinger & Svante Vikingsson
Provides a summary of methadone information, including pharmacology, prevalence, and expected concentrations in different matrices.
The importance of Fentanyl Testing in Forensic Toxicology
March 2022
Authors: Robert M White, Svante Vikingsson, & Ruth E Winecker
Structures, pharmacology, prevalence, current technology for the testing of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in urine, oral fluid and hair.
Common Error Flags in Automated Analyzers
January 2020
Author: Randal Clouette
Discuss the meaning of error flags as used by automated analyzers and how the instrument determines there is a problem.
Method Validation Part 1: Validating Immunoassays for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2014)
Author: Leland McClure
The first part of the Method Validation series covers validation of immunoassay methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 2: Validating Specimen Validity Testing for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2015)
Author: Leland McClure
The second part of the Method Validation series covers validation of specimen validity testing methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 3: Validating Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2019)
Author: Leland McClure
The third part of the Method Validation series covers validation of GC-MS methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 4: Validating Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Urine and Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023 (originally 2014)
Author: Leland McClure
The fourth part of the Method Validation series covers validation of LC-MS methods according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Method Validation Part 5: Validating Specimen Collection Devices for Oral Fluid Drug Testing
October 2023
Author: Leland McClure
The fifth part of the Method Validation series covers validation of oral fluid collection devices according to the NLCP Laboratory manual.
Cannabimimetics (Synthetic Cannabinoids)
June 2011
Authors: NLCP staff
An introduction to the five synthetic cannabinoids scheduled by DEA in 2011.
Drug Testing in Urine, Oral Fluid, and Hair Part 1: Metabolism and Matrix Formation
November 2018
Author: Robert M White
Describes how the three most common matrices in workplace drug testing (urine, oral fluid, and hair) are formed and how drugs are incorporated.
Drug Testing in Urine, Oral Fluid, and Hair Part 2: Analysis
May 2019
Author: Robert M White
Discuss the collection and testing of urine, oral fluid, and hair in workplace drug testing.
A “Personal” History of Drug Testing Part 1
September 2020
Author: John Irving
Describes the evolution of drug testing from the early days of the military program through the beginning of the Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program.
NFLIS-Tox Common Recruitment Questions and Answers
February 2021
Author: NLCP & NFLIS Staff
Information for toxicology laboratories considering participating in the National Laboratory Information System (NFLIS).
Markers of Specimen Validity Testing in Urine, Oral Fluid, and Hair
July 2021
Author: Robert M White
Overview of adulterations strategies for urine, oral fluid and hair specimens as well as markers to detect the adulteration.
Chain of Custody in Federally Regulated Workplace Drug Testing Programs
February 2024
Author: Mr. Omoware Osanyintolu
Chain of custody (COC) is a chronological documentation/process used to track the movement and control of specimens from the collection site through a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-certified test facility (i.e., laboratory or Instrumented Initial Test Facility). This article pertains to the COC in Federally Regulated Workplace Drug Testing Programs.