Surveillance of Drug Exposure through Saliva (Oral Fluid) Testing
CFSRE’s NPS Discovery remains committed to the surveillance of drug markets through unique and alternative sampling and testing strategies. Our laboratory collaborates with colleagues at the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) at the University of Florida (UF) and researchers at NYU Langone Health for the collection of saliva (oral fluid) specimens from participants surveyed about recent and/or past drug use, including the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). For more information about our saliva drug testing initiatives, contact our scientists via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Advantages of Saliva (Oral Fluid) Drug Testing
- Detection Window: Saliva testing can detect recent drug use, typically within the past 24 to 48 hours. This window is shorter than a urine test and potentially longer than a blood test. Salvia results do not correlate to impairment or effects as simply as blood results may and therefore are more indicative of ingestion or exposure.
- Non-Invasive & Ease of Use: Collection kits are simple to use and do not require specialized facilities. Saliva collection is simple and can be completed out in the field with minimal privacy concerns, during the survey or interview process.
- Comprehensive Drug Testing Panel: The CFSRE employs a comprehensive drug testing strategy for the analysis of salvia specimens which allows for an accurate and more complex picture relative to recent drug use or substance exposure.
Limitation of Saliva (Oral Fluid) Drug Testing
- Variable Results: The amount of drug present in saliva and therefore detectable at our laboratory can be affected by many factors, including hydration and the amount of saliva produced, pH levels, and route of drug use, among other factors.
- Oral Contamination: Because many drugs are consumed orally (or intranasally), the drugs present in salvia can arise from the ingestion of the drug product itself rather than the individual’s blood stream. This also means that the mouth can be contaminated with drugs from other sources (e.g., inhaled second-hand smoke, shared sources like drinks or food, etc.).
- Limited Non-Drug Scope of Testing: While the CFSRE tests for most drugs of forensic relevance, our testing does not include all drugs and substances. For example, our salvia testing does not include alcohol (ethanol), metals, some therapeutic drugs, and other environmental toxins.
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Coming Soon - Results from NYU Langone Health StudiesComing Soon - Results from NDEWS Rapid Street Reporting (RSR)
