The Drug Toxicology Section of the Public Health Laboratory operates under the authority of WS 31-6-105(a) in regard to implementing Wyoming’s Implied Consent statute. This section of the laboratory is responsible for testing biological samples for controlled and non-controlled substances.
Submittal Policies
The Drug Toxicology Section WILL NOT ACCEPT OR ANALYZE any samples submitted for employment screening.
Samples will be accepted from the following agencies:
1. All state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.
2. Other state agencies including, but not limited to, the Department of Corrections, Department of Family Services, Wyoming Boards of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Medicine.
3. All county coroner’s offices.
4. Other juvenile and adult probation and treatment programs with Public Health Laboratory approval.
Specimen Collection and Shipment
Specimen kits for submitting samples can be obtained by contacting the Chemical Testing Program at (307) 777-7868. Samples should be submitted in containers prepared and provided by this laboratory.
Sample collection kits provided by the Chemical Testing Program are packaged in a preaddressed mailer and are prepared to meet postal regulations for biological samples. Kits contain the appropriate collection container(s), evidence seals, instructions and forms necessary for legal/non-legal samples. Samples not identified correctly will compromise the chain-of-custody and may be legally invalid.
It is not necessary for samples to be refrigerated prior to submittal, but samples should be transported as soon as possible after collection. Samples should not be exposed to temperature extremes, especially heat, as it may affect sample integrity and cause the sample to be unsuitable for testing.
Samples may be delivered to the laboratory by hand (normal business hours M-F, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM), U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or other type of carrier. The submitting agency must place adequate postage or shipping on samples.
Reporting Procedures and Interpretation
Written reports are sent on test results for all samples received by this section of the laboratory. If testing is not performed on a sample submitted to the Drug Toxicology Program, written notification indicating why no analysis was performed will be sent. Reports are sent to the submitter or agency designee as indicated in the information provided on submittal forms. Results by phone will be provided only to the submitting agency or agency designee, or as required by statute. Release of results to any other person(s) requires prior permission of the submitting agency.
On urine samples submitted for drug analysis, results of the initial screening tests are available an average of 3 working days following sample receipt. Confirmation of positive results are available an average of 5 working days following receipt of sample.
Every effort is made to ensure that the method of reporting results is self-explanatory. If there is any question regarding results of analysis, please contact the laboratory.
Sample Retention
Samples from all law enforcement agencies, coroners’ offices and any sample giving a positive result (regardless of submitting agency), are retained in locked refrigerated evidence storage for one year from the reporting date. If additional storage time is required, please provide the laboratory with written notification and information prior to the one year destruction date.
All samples having negative results are disposed of approximately 2 weeks following the report date.
Drug Analysis
Urine sample collected using the protocol above for alcohol analysis would provide adequate sample for drug screening in conjunction with alcohol analysis (see Alcohol Analysis under Alcohol testing Section ).
Urine samples may be submitted in a CTP urine drug kit, which would provide adequate sample for screening and confirmation techniques. The sample collection container is a sterile vial which will hold approximately 110 ml of sample.
Sample Requirements: Urine – 20 ml minimum, screen only preformed
Method of Analysis:Screening – EIA (Enzyme Immuno Assay); used to screen urine
Confirming – (to confirm results in urine)
1) Gas Chromatography (GC),
2) Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
Assays Available: EIA (results are reported as presumptive only)
Drug Class Cut-Off:
1) Amphetamines 500ng/ml
2) Barbiturates 200ng/ml
3) Benzodiazepines 200ng/ml
4) Cannabinoids 50ng/ml
5) Cocaine 150ng/ml
6) Methadone 300ng/ml
7) Opiate 300ng/ml
8) PCP 25ng/ml
9) Propoxyphene 300ng/ml
10) Cotinine (Nicotine Metabolite) 500ng/ml
11) Ethyl alcohol 0.01g/dl
GC, GC/MS: Confirmation of positive EIA results.
Other drugs after consultation with Drug Toxicology Section.