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Drug Screening

The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory is located at 1325 Harden Street in downtown Columbia. The lab is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Call us at (803) 256-3100 ext. 512 to schedule an appointment. The lab is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

What kinds of tests are available?

The lab tests for six different classes of drug substances including:

Amphetamines
Bezodiazephine
Cannabinoids
Cocaine
Opiates
Ethyl Alcohol*

*Alcohol testing: The purpose of alcohol testing most often is to determine current impairment, rather than simply the presence of alcohol. Therefore, timeliness is extremely important. The drug screening laboratory tests for the presence, not the abuse, of alcohol.

What machines are used?

The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory uses Syva EMIT, the most widely used and scientifically documented drug diagnostic technology available. Syva EMIT is recognized by the US Supreme Court for accuracy and reliability, and results have been held as defensible evidence in numerous published Court decisions. The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory uses a full-spectrum drug testing diagnostic for detection of drugs of abuse and measurement of therapeutic drug levels. The end result is a more complete picture of what substances are "at work" affecting the functionality and health status of an individual.

How accurate are the results?

Given the medical, legal, ethical and social implications of decisions based on drug screens, accuracy of results is critical. The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to test for the presence of drugs of abuse. The use of specimen adulterants to defeat drug testing is widespread, potentially as prevalent as drug use itself. The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory has the capability to analyze specimens for creatine and specific gravity to detect dilution in order to provide more accurate results.

Are the results confidential?

The results are secured through the chain of custody. The chain of custody is the detailed documentation of the drug handling process, which accounts for the integrity of each step of the procedure by tracking the security and storage of the specimen from collection to disposal. The LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory will not proceed with a drug scre en if we recognize that the chain of custody has been broken. Results are released only to the donor. (Note: children ages 18 and over must give the right for a person other than themselves to receive results.)

What does a "positive" result mean?

A test is deemed positive if it exceeds the "cutoff levels." LRADAC uses the cutoff levels established by Syva EMIT because they have been shown over the last 20 years to reliably separate drug users from nonusers. It is possible to have a trace amount of drug in the specimen and not "test positive" because the cutoff levels are designed to pinpoint drug abusers and not, for instance, second hand inhalation. All positive tests are re-piped and rerun for accuracy. Results are usually returned to the donor within 24 hours of receipt of the sample.

Why should I choose the LRADAC Drug Screening Laboratory?

• State of the art equipment
• Results in 24 hours
• Results available by fax, email and telephone
• Conveniently located
• Reasonable cost
• CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) compliant
• Lab supervisor is a SAPAA Certified Collector

Contact

Call (803) 256-3100 ext. 512 to schedule an appointment.