Handheld Drugs Test

[Weedguru Higher]

Handheld Drugs Test for Parents to Analyze Their Children's Saliva
By David Derbyshireuk, Daily Mail - Thursday, September 23 2010


A disposable drugs test that allows parents to check if their children have been taking cannabis or cocaine by analysing a droplet of saliva has been developed by British scientists.

The handheld device, which resembles a pregnancy testing kit, costs just £1.50 and produces an accurate result within five minutes.Its creators say it could be available within two years.

The Vantix sensor was developed to help police carry out speedy roadside drug-driving tests, but it could just as easily be used by parents who are worried their children are taking drugs.

News of the breakthrough comes just days after the conviction and jailing of singer George Michael for possessing cannabis and drug driving.

Kevin Auton, of Universal Sensors, has admitted that the test would be controversial and could have 'huge implications for society'.

He said: 'In America, parents are taking samples of their children's saliva and hair and sending them off to labs to see if their children are taking drugs. If there is demand for it here, it would be an interesting market.

'It is controversial but the test can be used in the home for worried parents to test if their children are taking drugs.
'We are very focused on getting the test out of the laboratory and on to other platforms. It is as simple to use as a pregnancy test.'

The devices are designed to be used at the roadside, in a police station or in the home.

Currently, officers perform 'field impairment tests', which look at pupil dilation, balance and coordination.
However, these are not solid proof of illegal driving and police are often reluctant to carry out time consuming blood tests.

The breakthrough means police would be able to identify drugs by taking a swab from a driver's mouth.
The sensor works by using a disposable 5mm wide chip printed on a piece of plastic.

On the surface of the chip are antibodies that respond to particular chemicals in drugs – such as the THC molecule found in cannabis.

If an antibody on the chip comes into contact with its 'target' chemical, a tiny electrical current flows in the chip. The current is amplified by a larger, handheld device which lights up a warning lamp.

The chip can be adapted to detect a range of chemicals – including those only found in drugs or explosives.

Mr Auton added: 'I'm not sure if parents are ready in this country and the test raises privacy issues.'

- Article from UK Daily Mail.

http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/conte ... ens-Saliva

[SpRi7e]

yeah.. old news here

[Bubbles]

why weed and coke? lol

[Ziggy]

Guess it was the only two drugs they calibrated it to detect.

But Im kind of liking this. Because now when theres the huge 'Marijuana Legalization' debate, and the ney-sayers come out with the argument of 'How will we detect it if someone is driving while high' (which I have no problem with personally). But now we can say, well police will now have this to determine if someone really is high on Marijuana within a couple of minutes, if not seconds.

[SpRi7e]

yeah but it's a portable saliva test.. if they smoked the night before it could still be in their system the next day. What if you smoked and you came down, were perfectly fine..it'd still be in your system. Unless this test isn't nearly as sensitive as the rest of the drug/saliva tests, I don't like this.

[Bubbles]

yeah but it's a portable saliva test.. if they smoked the night before it could still be in their system the next day. What if you smoked and you came down, were perfectly fine..it'd still be in your system. Unless this test isn't nearly as sensitive as the rest of the drug/saliva tests, I don't like this.

yea that would suck to get pulled over and you still have some in your system from 2 weeks ago and you get fined.

[Weedguru Higher]

That's what I was wondering too....

[(weedguru)scarf]

yeah but it's a portable saliva test.. if they smoked the night before it could still be in their system the next day. What if you smoked and you came down, were perfectly fine..it'd still be in your system. Unless this test isn't nearly as sensitive as the rest of the drug/saliva tests, I don't like this.

how long does it stay detectable in saliva?
i imagine much less time than blood, urine, hair... etc

the cops already do it here

[Ziggy]

yeah but it's a portable saliva test.. if they smoked the night before it could still be in their system the next day.

Thats a very good point Sprite. I forgot about that, that weed stays in your system for that long. However, if they are already implementing it where Scarf lives, Im guessing some of the kinks might be worked out...or possibly some of the loop holes are already found ? Can you shed any further light/info on this subject Scarf ?

[SpRi7e]

saliva tests can go back 2-3 days possibly, they can also be cheated very easily. A mouth full of listerine mouth wash before you take it will take away any drugs being looked for in your system

[cutthecashflow]

Little off topic, but I keep about 5-10 five bar home piss tests in my own bathroom so I know where I stand before going in for an interview or other drug testing activity. I should pick up some salivia ones as well, but almost everywhere I apply wants actual urine.

[(weedguru)scarf]

yeah but it's a portable saliva test.. if they smoked the night before it could still be in their system the next day.

Thats a very good point Sprite. I forgot about that, that weed stays in your system for that long. However, if they are already implementing it where Scarf lives, Im guessing some of the kinks might be worked out...or possibly some of the loop holes are already found ? Can you shed any further light/info on this subject Scarf ?

the very first guy a couple of years ago to test positive for marijuana got off as he said that he smoked the night before he was caught... however since then they have indeed recalibrate their systems, however im not sure how... it may be that you need a certain strength of weed,x,coke... in your saliva to test positive... im not exactly sure.