Here’s a summary of some of the more interesting drug testing news stories and articles from around the UK this week. As always, if drugs are a concern for you, your family or your organisation, Zoom Testing is here to help. Contact us with all of your drug testing requirements.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines have a high potential for abuse and addiction because they produce euphoric effects. These effects can easily lead to dependence and overdose. The most common benzodiazepine is alprazolam (Xanax), which is the most prescribed drug in the United States. The most used and prescribed benzodiazepine in the UK is diazepam, known by the trade name Valium.
Drug Detection Times for Benzodiazepines in Saliva
For Benzodiazepines, the typical detection time for the drug is 2-3 days after the drug has been used. As ever, accurate drug detection times depend on the type of drug being used, how much you use it, how often you use it, and your metabolism rate | Zoom Testing, UK
Cannabis
The UK is currently undergoing a shift in the way it deals with cannabis. From criminalising its use to legalising it for medicinal purposes, the country has been trying to figure out how best to regulate cannabis use in the workplace. At Zoom Testing we offer a very wide range of drug testing kits for cannabis. This week, there were a number of cannabis related news stories that caught the eye:
Blackpool drug arrests: Three held over California cannabis imports
The crackdown on “brazen” drug dealers importing cannabis from California – where cannabis is legal – featured three raids in the Lancashire resort | BBC, UK
Former Liverpool nursing home was factory for Scottish drug smuggling
A former nursing home in Liverpool was used by a criminal gang as a drugs factory to smuggle millions of pounds of amphetamine into Scotland | BBC, UK
Mysterious pink glow in sky over Mildura revealed to be from local cannabis facility
‘Bizarre’ pink lights seen in the sky above Victorian town were not an alien invasion after all | Guardian, UK
Cannabis farm found in abandoned pub
Officers went to The Bendigo, in Sneinton Hollows, Nottingham, shortly before 10:00 BST | BBC, UK
Cannabis getting stronger with synthetic versions added leading to psychosis, report warns
Herbal cannabis on the Irish market is getting stronger and stronger, with synthetic versions of the drug also being added without users’ knowledge, in come cases resulting in psychosis, a report has warned | Independent, Ireland
Cocaine
The UK has seen a significant rise in cocaine abuse in recent years. Cocaine drug tests are used to detect the presence of cocaine in a person’s system. The tests are typically used by employers and schools as part of their drug testing policies. The most common use of these tests is to determine whether someone is legally allowed to operate heavy machinery or drive a vehicle after they have been tested positive for cocaine. Zoom Testing supply a wide range of drug testing kits for cocaine. In the news this week:
Drug gang used fake ‘LeBron James’ branding on cocaine shipments
High level drugs traffickers have been flooding Europe with tonnes of cocaine branded with a fake logo referencing basketball megastar LeBron James.
Heroin
Heroin is an opioid drug that is synthesized from morphine, a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian poppy plant. A slang name for heroin is “H”. Zoom Testing is a leading supplier of drug testing kits for Heroin. In the news this week:
Whitby crack cocaine and heroin dealer jailed for five years
A prolific ‘Class A’ drug dealer from Whitby has been brought to justice.
MDMA
Ecstasy is a stimulant and has effects including euphoria, heightened senses and feelings, feelings of closeness with others, feelings of empathy and connection, distortion in time and space. The drug can also cause dehydration and overheating. Ecstasy Drug Test Kits are available from Zoom Testing. We can also supply party drugs test kits.
Drug Detection Times for Ecstasy in Saliva
The detection times for MDMA in saliva can vary depending on the amount of the drug consumed and how long ago it was consumed. In general, the detection time ranges from 24-72 days using a saliva drug test | Zoom Testing, UK
Other Drug News in the UK
Also in the news this week:
Newcastle raid: Drugs worth almost £1m seized
Officers seized a large quantity of cannabis, 7.5kg of cocaine, 2.5kg of heroin and about 30,000 Pregabalin and Valium tablets | BBC, UK
Photo by Testalize.me on Unsplash
