The Role of the Navy

1

• The Role of the Navy
• Drug Screening Laboratory
• Presented by
• Paul V. Robandt, Ph.D.
• Civilian Technical Director
• Navy Drug Screening Laboratory, San Diego

2
Navy Drug Screening Laboratory San Diego Mission

• Support readiness by deterring illegal drug use.
• Forensic Drug Testing
• Expert Testimony
• Consultation
• Education
• Methods Development 

3
Drugs Tested at NDSL

• All military samples are tested for
• Marijuana (THC)
• Cocaine
• Amphetamine/Methamphetamine d-isomers
• Designer Amps (e.g., ecstasy and related
  compounds)
• Heroin
• 10 - 50 of military samples are pulse tested
  for
• LSD
• PCP
• Oxycodone/Oxymorphone
• Codeine/Morphine

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Testing NOT performed at NDSL

• Pre-authorized tests forwarded to AFIP
• Ketamine
• GHB date rape drug
• Psilocybin mushrooms ?
• prescription drugs (e.g. Valium)
• Pre-authorized tests forwarded to UCLA
• Steroids.
• Must obtain prior approval for funding from
  PERS-6
• Navy Mr. Bill Flannery [phone]
• Marines Mr. Cruz Martinez [phone]
• (NOTE Prior approval must be obtained for
  these specialized tests forwarded to AFIP or
  UCLA.)

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Navy Drug Screening Laboratory Urinalysis

• Only analyze for drugs in urine
• i.e. not blood, saliva or hair
• All specimens are tested unless
• Other than urine
• Specimen is suspected of adulteration and
  analysis would damage instrumentation
• Quantity not sufficient (QNS)

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Navy Drug Screening Laboratory Specimen Handling
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Definition of Cutoff Levels

• Cutoff Level The concentration of drug
  (ng/mL) in urine that serves as an administrative
  breakpoint for calling a testing result positive
  or negative.
• POSITIVE The level of the drug found in the
  sample is greater than or equal to the DOD cutoff
  level for that particular drug.
• NEGATIVE The sample was either completely
  drug-free or the drug was present but below the
  DOD cutoff level.
• Drug values below the cutoff are not reported.
  Samples are reported as negative.

8
NDSL Quality Control

• Internal QC
• Open QCs
• Blind QCs

• Inspections
• Forensic inspections 3/yr

• External QC (AFIP)
• Blind Program
• Open Program

9
Testing Procedures Summary

• Specimens reported as positive, have tested
  positive on 3 tests screen, rescreen and
  confirmation
• Each test was performed on a separate aliquot of
  the specimen
• Data from all 3 tests are subject to multiple
  reviews
• Specimens at or above the DoD cutoff are reported
  as positive. All others are negative.
• Positive samples are retained for 1 year and may
  be retested upon request.

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Special Consideration for Amphetamines

• Other sympathomimetic amines may cross-react with
  immunoassay reagents (not GC/MS)
• At second immunoassay
• Add metaperiodate for pseudoephedrine, etc.
• Use second immunoassay to get rid of negatives
• Use 500,000 ng/mL PS/EP control
• At GC/MS
• Use 500,000 ng/mL PS/EP control
• Add metaperiodate for pseudoephedrine, etc.

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Collection Issues

• WAYS TO COMPROMISE COLLECTION
• Excrete drug from body beforehand
• Specimen adulteration
• Specimen dilution with water
• Specimen substitution
• SOLUTIONS
• Unannounced collection
• Observed collection

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DISCREPANCIES THAT MAY CAST DOUBT

• Incomplete Chain-of-Custody on Form DD 2624.
• Example C-O-C did not begin on the
  collection date.
• Specimen listed on form, but no bottle was
  received.
• Example Entry for no-show was not voided.
• Specimen received in box, but not listed on the
  form.
• Example Entry for no-show was correctly
  voided, then member arrived.
• Form DD 2624 on 2 pieces of paper without
  identifiers on the second page to link it to the
  first page.
• Missing/incorrect information on the bottle or DD
  2624.
• Information on DD 2624 does not match the bottle
  label.
• Bottle is double-taped without explanation.
• Tamper proof tape on bottle missing or damaged.
• Non-forensic corrections on bottle label or
  DD2624.

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FORENSIC CORRECTIONS
987-65-4321 123-45-6789
9 123-45-6780
CLB 15Jan02
CLB 15Jan02
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Positive Results

• What does the positive test result mean?
• Drug was found in the urine. It was identified
  and quantified.
• The drug lab experts cannot tell you the
  circumstances that resulted in the positive
  urinalysis results.
• If the accused provides an explanation, the lab
  experts can advise on whether the explanation is
  plausible.
• Expert Witnesses are available to assist the
  triers of fact.
• (appointment required for board or court
  martial.)
• What does the command do?
• Determine if there is a valid prescription that
  would explain the positive. Review medical
  records and consult MRO at the Lab.
• If medical records support legal use then notify
  PERS.
• If medical records do not support legal use,
  process for separation.
  Accused has right to defend themselves and
  provide explanation.
  Results of legal proceedings
  are reported to PERS.

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Drug Testing Myths Excuses

• Passive inhalation of marijuana is a legitimate
  defense.
• Not likely at the cutoff level established by
  DOD.

• Cold/sinus medications will cause false positives
  for Amphetamine.
• Not true for confirmation test.

• Poppy seed ingestion causes false positive for
  morphine.
• This is unlikely, but not impossible. Consult
  laboratory expert at NDSL.

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Drug Testing Myths Excuses

• Vicks inhaler causes false positive for
  d-methamphetamine.
  
• Not true for confirmation test. NDSL can tell
  the difference between legal and illegal methamp
• My friend put it in my drink.
  
• This is possible with some drugs.
  
• Consult laboratory expert.
• Lidocaine, novocaine, xylocaine causes false
  positive for cocaine.
  
• Never True.

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Drug Testing Myths Excuses

• Ephedrine will cause a false positive.
• Not True on confirmation tests. The
  following legal products, that used to contain
  ephedrine as a performance enhancer, will not
  cause false positives in confirmation test.
• Ripped Fuel
• Zenadrine
• Ultimate Orange
• Ma Huang
• Guarana
• Metabolife
• Thermo Fuel

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Drug Testing Myths Excuses

• An herbal supplement caused my positive result.
  
  Not likely if purchased in U.S.A.
  Get a sample and consult a laboratory expert.
• I accidentally took my spouses prescription
  medicine.
  
• Some prescription medicines can cause positive
  results. Contact the laboratory for
  consultation.

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Drugs of Abuse ImagesEcstasy (MDMA)
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Drugs of Abuse ImagesKetamine / Marijuana
Ketamine
Marijuana
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Drugs of Abuse ImagesCocaine / Misc.
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Drug Testing Points of Contact
AFIP (Toxicology) COM [phone], DSN
285 http//www.afip.org
NEHC COM [phone], DSN
377 http//www-nehc.med.navy.mil
GREAT LAKES COM [phone] ext 12, DSN
792 FAX [phone]
JACKSONVILLE COM [phone], DSN
942 FAX [phone]
SAN DIEGO COM [phone], DSN
522 FAX [phone]
http//navydrugscreeninglabsandiego.med.navy.m
il
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DoD Drug Cutoff Levels