2000 ng/ml Opiate Detect in Urine is Unsafe

Source: 2008, DTAB Minutes, SAMHSA

DTAB Panel Discussion Testing Morphine/Codeine Only at 2000 ng/mL Cutoff versus Testing Expanded Opioid Panel at 300 ng/mL Cutoff

Pat Pizzo, Director of Toxicology, Substance Abuse Testing, Kroll Laboratory Specialists, Inc.

Because of concerns about safety and the abuse of hydrocodone and oxycodone on the job site, a union client requested an extended opiate panel, which included hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone at a 300 nanograms per milliliter cutoff. From January through September 2006 for this client, there were 707 total positive drug results of which five percent were positive for opioids, including codeine and morphine, at the 2000 nanograms per milliliter a cutoff level.

With the 300 nanograms per milliliter cutoff expanded opiate panel, the positive ratio increased to 45 percent.

The client had 200 confirmed and MRO-verified union members who were illegally using either hydrocodone or oxycodone. The union decided the additional cost was justified from a safety standpoint.

Navigent3.com
Oral Fluid Drug Screening Technology