Visinet, Inc. Drug and Alcohol Screening

Drug and Alcohol Screening

Definition
Drug screening, or toxicology screening, is a process of chemical analysis designed to test individuals for drug abuse, or to ensure that an individual is substance-free. Common uses for this service include pre-visitation results; random testing for probation or juvenile offenders, adult and child court ordered random testing.

The goal of the quick drug screening service is to observe and objectively report the results of the test being completed on all referred individuals. The primary target population for this service is any individuals over the age of twelve (12). Children younger then twelve (12) will be assessed on a case to case basis.

Referral sources can indicate if the individual is to complete the testing at the Visinet office or in the individual?s place of residence.

The quick method collection is designed to obtain a preliminary positive or negative result within minutes of the sample collection. The preliminary results suggest the presence of a chemical but are not a true positive. To obtain a true positive the sample must be sent to the lab for further testing. Positive results should be confirmed by a more sensitive method. Visinet will send the sample to the laboratory for further testing only at the request of the referral source. Quick tests are not admissible in court as a true positive reading; however the quick test can be substantiated by obtaining the results for the laboratory.

Urine drug screening can be used to evaluate and determine acute drug toxicology. It is also used to monitor drug dependency or to determine the presence of drugs in the body. A urine sample will be collected on site (office or home) and tested for certain types of drugs. An E-Z Split Key Cup/4 panel drug screening cup will be utilized to detect the presence of Methamphetamine, Opiates, Marijuana (THC) and Cocaine.

Alcohol screening will be completed through the use of the Saliva Alcohol Alco-Screen test. This 2 minute detection device is intended for use as a rapid, high sensitive method to detect the presence of alcohol in saliva and provide and approximation of relative blood alcohol concentration. Approximate Blood Level of .02%, 04%, .08% and .30% can be distinguished.

The method of sample collection is very important to the reliability and validity of the screening. The individual will be required to consent to a 100% supervised collection unless otherwise noted by the referral source. This means that a screener of the same gender, urine test only, will be present during the entire testing time to ensure 100% supervision of the sample production. If safety has been identified as an issue Visinet will make sure two screeners are present during the testing time. The screener will follow the scripted step-by-step procedure to ensure chain of custody is not broken, appropriate collection method is utilized and the results are read in the appropriate time frame. All screeners will receive program specific training before qualifying for this position.

All adult individuals will be required to provide two forms of identification before testing can begin. Youth under the age of nineteen will need written consent from a guardian before services can begin.

An easy to fill out referral form will allow the funding source to provide specific client information and receive the results of the testing back on the same document. Results can be provided immediately to the referral source or in a designated time frame set by the referral source.

Laboratory testing will be completed through Forensic Laboratory. This testing facility was founded in 1986 and has been an industry leader for over 20 years. The laboratory provides legally defensible toxicology testing services to law enforcement, probation, parole, drug treatment centers, youth facilities, community corrections, homeless organizations and the private industry. Forensic Laboratories provides negative and non-negative results after confirmation. Summary reports can be requested along with on-line viewing of results.

A board certified toxicologist or chemist is available to the agency to assist with any questions regarding interpretation of testing results, drugs, abuse methodology and drug classifications.

Access to services?
Visinet, Inc. will coordinate with, but not limited to, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Integrated Care Coordination Units (ICCU), Office of Juvenile Services (OJS), Office of Probation, Legal Representatives and Community Providers.

What are the criteria?
Individuals who are referred by one of the aforementioned referral sources.

Payment?
Services can begin immediately after an authorization is received in the Visinet, Inc. office containing valid time and dates of service along with the necessary referral information.

Who do I call?
Contact the State Services Coordinator in the Omaha office at (402) 898-8881 or in the Lincoln office at (402) 464-8866.