Menu
 

There are two main types of drug test that are easy enough to use at home or at work.  They are mouth swab - where the test is held in the mouth and absorbs saliva and detects drugs present.  Or urine dip tests that get dipped in a 'cup' of urine from the person being tested and detect drugs.

Both have pros and cons.

Pros for Oral swab tests

  • don't require collection of urine and can be done quickly
  • little mess and there no cup of urine to dispose of afterwards. 
  • detect drugs much quicker than urine based tests.   For instance methamphetamine (or P) in as little as 5 minutes. 
  • it's difficult to adulterate/contaminate sample to invalidate the test.
  • Can be more effective in detecting recent marijuana use in people who haven't previuosly used it. *

 

Pros for Urine tests

  • longer windows of detection up to 30 days for THC 
  • can detect lower levels of drugs - particularly methamphetamine (P)*
  • fewer false negatives *

 

Neither give a number for amount or concentration of drug in the body.  Blood tests are required for that.

Click here for information on how long various drugs are detectable.

*https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27344042/

 

Cook Street Pharmacy Shop

We’re a small family run Pharmacy in Palmerston North. We pride ourselves on looking after our patients and customers needs. If you need health and well being advice for yourself, or your family feel free to drop in and talk to one of our staff.