Testing for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Using Oral Fluid

TESTING FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS USING ORAL FLUID 

Much has been written about the progress and development of the use of oral fluid as an alternative matrix for DUID testing. Similarly, oral fluid as an alternative matrix is finding application in workplace drug testing. 

In an effort to reduce the incidence of death and injury on the roads due to driving imder the influence of drugs, a number of countries have introduced random roadside driver drug testing legislation in the hope that this will act as a deterrent. 

Consequently, a flurry of activity has been taking place in forensic toxicology in relation to DUID testing in the period 2000 to the present, leading to a proliferation of analytical methods for DUID testing. Significantly, these methods have increasingly made use of LC—tandem mass spectrometry. 

Oral fluid has several advantages over other biological samples, such as blood and urine. Sample collection is a simple and noninvasive process and, as such, does not require the presence and skills of a medical practitioner. Since samples are collected under direct observation, the opportunity for substitution and adulteration is minimized. 

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