Drugs of Abuse – Screening & Confirmation Services

Ampath Diagnostic Guide | Pathology solutions are in our DNA

Overview

Ampath offers a range of drugs of abuse screening and confirmatory tests to assist in identifying recent drug use for clinical or legal purposes.

Commonly Detected Drugs

• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabinoids (Cannabis)
• Cocaine
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine (Tik)
• Opiates
• PCP (Phencyclidine)
• TAD (Tricyclic antidepressants)
• Ecstasy (MDMA, MDEA, MDA)
• Methaqualone (Mandrax)
• Methcathinone (Cat)

Screening Test Options

✅ 10 Panel Qualitative Cassette

• Mnemonic: POCDOA
• Type: Lateral flow immunoassay (manual, visual interpretation)
• Suitable for low-volume testing
• Includes:
  • Amphetamines
  • Barbiturates
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cannabinoids
  • Cocaine
  • Methadone
  • Methamphetamine
  • Opiates
  • PCP
  • TAD
• Does NOT include Cat, Ecstasy, Mandrax
• Limitations:
  • No quantification
  • Subjective reading

✅ 10 Panel Quantitative (7+3)

• Mnemonic: DOA 7
• Combines:
  • 7 Immunoassays for:
    • Amphetamines
    • Benzodiazepines
    • Cannabinoids
    • Cocaine
    • Mandrax
    • Methadone
    • Opiates
  • 3 LC-MS/MS tests for:
    • Methamphetamine
    • Methcathinone (Cat)
    • Ecstasy (MDMA/MDEA/MDA)
• Automated and quantitative
• Suitable for high-volume use
• Turnaround: 24 hours
• Does not include Barbiturates, PCP, TAD

Confirmatory Testing (LC-MS/MS)

• Used to confirm positive screening results
• Requires the same urine sample
• High sensitivity and specificity
• Longer turnaround time
• Ideal for legal or workplace testing

Screening and Confirmation Reference

1. Amphetamines

• Screen: AMPH
• Confirm: ATSC
• Street Names: Speed, Crystal, Ice
• Detection Window: 1–4 days

2. Barbiturates

• Screen: BARBU
• Confirm: Not available
• Street Names: Blue heavens, Reds
• Detection Window: 1–14 days

3. Benzodiazepines

• Screen: BENZU
• Confirm: BENZOUC
• Street Names: Benzos, Rohypnol
• Detection Window: 1–9 days (up to 30 days in chronic users)

4. Cannabis

• Screen: CANN
• Confirm: CANC
• Street Names: Dagga, Whoonga
• Detection Window:
  • Casual use: 2–5 days
  • Chronic use: Up to 11 weeks

5. Cocaine

• Screen: COCA
• Confirm: COCC
• Street Names: Crack, Snow
• Detection Window: 2–3 days (up to 9 days with chronic use)

6. LSD

• Screen: POCLSDS
• Confirm: LSDC
• Street Name: Acid
• Detection Window: 0–2 days

7. Mandrax (Methaqualone)

• Screen: MAND
• Confirm: MANDC
• Street Names: Soaps, Love pill
• Detection Window: 90–225 hours

8. Methadone

• Screen: METH
• Confirm: MISCC
• Street Name: Meth
• Detection Window: 1–3 days

9. Opiates

• Screen: OPIA
• Confirm: OPIAC
• Street Names: Heroin, Codeine
• Detection Window:
  • Occasional use: 7–54 hours
  • Chronic use: Up to 12 days

10. Propoxyphene

• Screen: POCPPXS
• Confirm: PPXC
• Street Names: Doloxene, PPX
• Detection Window: 1–2 days

Specimen & Collection Notes

• Sample required: Random urine
• For legal testing or employer screening, request a chain-of-custody form
• Screening and confirmation must use the same specimen

Turnaround Time

• Screening: 24 hours
• Confirmation: Varies (typically longer)

How to Access These Tests

• Use the relevant mnemonic when submitting a test request
• Results available through the Ampath App:
  • onelink.to/ampath (for individuals)
  • onelink.to/ampathpro (for professionals and corporates)

📍 Ampath National Laboratory Services
🌐 www.ampath.co.za