| TYPE OF TEST | DRUGS TESTED | COST | PROBLEMS WITH TEST | | | | | | | Urine | Marijuana
Cocaine
Opiates
Amphetamines
PCP | $10-$30 | - Does not test for alcohol or tobacco, the most frequently used drugs.
- Since marijuana stays in the body longer than other drugs, drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines often go undetected.
- Test is invasive and embarrassing.
- Specimen can be adulterated.
- Easier to cheat on cheaper tests, cost of more expensive tests often prohibitive.
| | | | | | | Hair | Marijuana
Cocaine
Opiates
Amphetamines
PCP | $60-$75 | - More expensive.
- Test limited to basic 5-drug panel.
- Will not detect very recent drug use.
- All else being equal, dark-haired people are more likely to test positive than blondes, and African-Americans are more likely to test positive than Caucasians.
- Passive exposure to drugs in the environment, especially those that are smoked, may lead to "innocent positive" results.
| | | | | | | Sweat Patch | Marijuana
Cocaine
Opiates
Amphetamines/
Methamphetamines
PCP
Ecstasy
| $20-$35 | - Limited number of labs able to process results.
- Passive exposure to drugs may contaminate patch and result in false positives.
- People with skin eruptions, excessive hair, or cuts and abrasions cannot wear the patch.
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