Court Ordered Drug Testing

For individuals needing immediate court-ordered drug testing, we can help.
Contact National Drug Screening today. Call 866-843-4545
Correctional and reform procedures have come a long way from the perceptions people once had of prisons simply being places to keep “dangerous individuals” out of circulation and away from the general population. Correctional institutions of today serve many purposes, including trying to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders of all ages back into the public, so that they can get a second chance at enjoying a new life as a contributing member of society.

But for both their own safety and that of the public, that doesn’t mean that people released back into the general population are given unconditional freedom and trust. Reintegration is a process that takes time, and trust is something that must be earned. Because of this, court-ordered and probation drug testing are still a valuable and versatile tool in the correction and reform of convicts as they are released back into society.

Court-ordered drug testing is available with immediate service from National Drug Screening in all areas of the United States. We have locations in every major city of the US and can easily help you find the right test for your needs.

Reasons for Court-Ordered Drug and Alcohol Testing

There are many reasons for court-ordered drug and alcohol testing. Attorneys often negotiate for drug testing in divorce or child custody cases. Child protective agencies often require a drug test for the benefit of a child to be placed with parents. DUI and DWI Programs often require drug and alcohol testing including possibly EtG alcohol testing with urine or with hair. Judges order drug screening and drug testing for many different reasons.

At National Drug Screening, we work with the legal system, individuals and attorneys for court-ordered drug and alcohol testing. If you have a question about the type of drug test you need, give us a call. Our knowledgeable staff can help you schedule the correct drug test for your next court visit. Call us today at 866-843-4545.

Why Do Courts Test For Drugs?

In America, drugs are often associated with — and quite often the motivation for — many criminal activities. While the use of drugs is in itself illegal, crimes such as theft, prostitution and assault are often motivated by the need to purchase and use drugs. Because of how closely tied drugs are to many types of crime, it is especially important to ensure that people released on probation remain drug free. By taking drugs, a parolee is at much larger risk of resorting once again to criminal methods in order to maintain the funds necessary for drug use.

It’s because of this that a program of probation drug testing should always be instituted as an additional probationary measure. This serves the dual purpose of acting as a deterrent for those on probation, since breaking terms can result in harsh penalties. It can also be a very important indicator of what is happening not just with the person on probation but the streets themselves. Since the exact drugs in the system can be easily identified through testing, this makes it possible to spot certain trends and movements within the drug trade.

How Court-Ordered Drug Testing Works

Court ordered or probation drug testing can be administered either on a regular schedule or a random basis, though a mix of both is probably the most effective in terms of results. A lot of this may also depend on an offender’s prior history, where more frequent testing may be required in cases with involving past drug use.

Depending on the offender and the jurisdiction, the type of drugs that can be tested for in probation drug testing are fully customizable. A set number of drugs, or “panels” can be specified in advance, allowing administrators to run a screening for common illegal drugs such as marijuana, or prescription drugs such as opioids. The panel test of drugs screens for multiple types of drugs from a single sample, making it very efficient to administer. We see the most common drug test panel for probation drug testing to be the five panel drug test consisting of:

  • AMP-Amphetamines (including MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy)
  • COC-Cocaine
  • OPI-Opiates (including codeine, morphine and heroin)
  • PCP-Phencyclidine
  • THC-Marijuana.

Once the sample has been collected, it is sent to a SAMHSA certified laboratory for testing and then the laboratory data is sent to an experienced medical review officer (MRO) who will evaluate the results and notify you of any negative or positive test results, at which point, you can take the appropriate action. At National Drug Screening, we have four full-time MROs evaluating results, with over 60 years of combined professional experience.

Urine Tests vs Hair Follicle Tests

A court ordered probation drug screening can use different types of biological material for testing, depending on the need. Standard urine tests are available, which can be offered in panels to test for a variety of different substances. Urine tests are a standard type of probation drug testing, and are effective at detecting recent drug use, up to a week in time. Sometimes hair or oral fluid specimens are used for probation drug testing.

Other options for longer term screenings are also available. A hair follicle drug test is a more recent type of screening that can still be configured for different panels of drugs. However, this type of drug testing has a much greater sensitivity and accuracy, and can detect active drug use up to 90 days from when a sample is collected, making it much more difficult for regular drug users to evade detection.

EtG alcohol testing is often required with a hair test because it can detect any alcohol consumption over the past 90 days.

If you need to institute court ordered or probation drug testing in your area, you need two things; reliability and speed. Our drug screening procedures are easy to administer, our experts are experienced in their field, and we can give you the results you want in quickly. Order a test online or call National Drug Screening today at 866-843-4545.