Home drug-testing kits often give false result says Norml

By ALISON HORWOOD

Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of $10 home drug-testing kits being sold over the counter at a South Island police station.

The kits, similar to a home pregnancy test, are being sold to parents who are concerned that their children might be smoking cannabis. A urine sample shows a negative or positive result within five minutes.

But Chris Fowlie of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) says the kits are dangerous because they often return a false result.

"They are unfortunately not reliable and often return a false negative or false positive result."

He said a more accurate test for cannabis was to send a urine sample to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) at a cost of more than $100. However, the test was so sensitive that someone who had not smoked - but just stood next to someone who had - could return a positive result.

He supports the controlled drug testing of young people but only when the effects of marijuana become problematic. For most people who smoke, the drug does not affect their lives in a negative way, he said.

"Testing for cannabis discriminates against cannabis users because it stays in your system for up to three months," said Mr Fowlie.

"People who use other drugs like alcohol, heroin, or cocaine, are less likely to test positive because it only stays in the system for a matter of days."

He said a national guideline was needed for drug testing in schools so there was no breach of human rights.

Greymouth community constable Adele Coll said the drug kits boasted a 99.6 per cent level of accuracy.

The police station had put them on sale a fortnight ago after a lot of inquiries from parents who suspected their children were smoking.

Local schools had been told about the kits but had so far not bought any.

Constable Coll said the results of the tests were a matter between parents and their children.

Police became involved only if the parents wished, and their role was simply to refer the parents to suitable drug counsellors, she said.

Positive tests would not result in charges being laid and parents buying kits did not register their name with the police.

"It's all part of proactive policing to help young people and help them stay off drugs."

She said several other police stations had expressed interest in the kits.

ESR is one of two businesses in New Zealand that use highly specialised Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) equipment for drug-testing.

GCMS is the only process available that meets international testing standards, and the equipment is mandatory for drug-testing in the United States.