Evaluation of Oral Fluid as a Specimen to Detect Controlled Substances

Abstract

Drugged driving has become more prevalent than drunk driving and is quickly gaining national attention due to increased prescription drug abuse and recent cannabis legalization. Unlike alcohol, police officers do not generally have access to approved devices to screen for drugs at the roadside. Onsite drug screening devices do exist and are used in other countries, but have not garnered widespread approval for use in the United States in driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases. One reason for this is that the devices are designed to test oral fluid, which is not a commonly accepted specimen DUID. This study compared the results of DRE opinions, alternate specimens like blood and urine, onsite oral fluid screening, and laboratory based oral fluid screening and confirmations to assess the usefulness of oral fluid as a DUID specimen. While there were significant differences in the measured performance of onsite and laboratory based tests, the results of this study show that oral fluid testing is a viable option both at the roadside and in a laboratory setting.