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Do home drug tests work?
Parents are becoming more concerned about their teens' marijuana use and are using over-the-counter drug tests available at local pharmacies. There are three different types of urinalysis tests. One tests for marijuana, another for cocaine and the third and most expensive tests for 12 different drugs, including amphetamines, opiates and benzodiazepines.
Although convenient, these tests are not as thorough or accurate as industry-standards UAs. At-home tests only offer a positive or negative result. UAs used at treatment facilities and doctor's offices measure how much of a chemical is present in the urine. Some at-home tests can show a false positive if a person has used certain prescriptions or medicines. Before you buy, parents are reminded to read the instructions carefully.
For more information, call 641-752-5421.
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Krokodil creeping into the Midwest
"Krokodil" is a homemade synthetic form of a heroin-like drug called desomorphine that is made by combining codeine tablets with various toxic chemicals including lighter fluid and industrial cleaners.
This extremely dangerous mixture gets its name from the scaly, gray-green dead skin that forms at the site of an injection.
The flesh destroyed by krokodil becomes gangrenous, and, in some cases, limb amputation has been necessary to save a user's life.
Desomorphine has a similar effect to heroin in the brain, although it is more powerful and has a shorter duration.
More recently, it has been reported in a few U.S. states.
Source:National Institute on Drug Abuse
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