Drug Testing

            
             Drug testing is an efficient, dependable method of determining a person's drug use. Technological advancements have made drug tests available in many forms. There are certain organizations that have set the standards to determine a safe drug level. Coaches, as well as employers, have begun administering drug tests of their own. Drug tests are able to identify the specific drug and amount used. Even though technology has brought drug testing a long way, the tests are not free of error.
             Drug tests are available in various forms. The author of "Drug Testing Basics" points out that the urine test is one of the most common tests because of their low expenses. The costs of urine tests range from twenty-five dollars to fifty dollars. This same source adds that the urine test can also be done in the privacy of one's own home. Urine tests are easily altered so they are usually tested by temperature. The urine test mostly detects the use primarily within the past week; however, it could be long with regular use (2).
             According to the author of "Drug Testing Basics" hair tests are considered to be less of an invasion of someone's privacy. Even thought the hair test is more expensive than a urine test, it detects drugs over a longer period of time. Hair tests do not usually test within the previous week. The same source goes on to say that the hair test requires a sample of hair about the diameter of a pencil and has to be an inch and a half lone. Hair tests cannot be done with a singly strand of hair. Studies show that a hair test tests positive more than twice as many times as a urine test. Recent studies have proven that out of one thousand eight hundred twenty three hair and urine samples fifty seven urine samples tested positive for drugs while one hundred and twenty seven hair samples from the same group tested positive for drugs. Hair test are not significantly affected by a brief period of drug abstinence.