Q&A: How Edmond Public Schools' drug tests will work

What type of test is being used?

The samples are taken by collecting oral fluid. The collection device resembles a tongue depressor with a hard cotton-like substance on it. It will be placed under the student's tongue and left there for about five minutes to collect the sample.

The lab workers will extract the fluid from the sample and will test it for alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs. Any confirmed positive result is reviewed by a medical doctor who serves as a medical review officer at CRG Laboratories. This officer has the power to overturn a result if, for example, there's a valid explanation for what happened.

“If the kid has a prescription for codeine, and he's positive for marijuana, that's not going to cut it, but if he's positive for codeine and has a prescription for codeine, that's a valid medical explanation for that result.” Edmond is the first school district client of CRG Laboratories to use this type of test. Other school districts that have contracts with the lab use urine analysis.

Why not use urine analysis?

With this type of test, there's more control over the collection. When a urine sample is collected, the donor has a window of time while alone in a restroom collecting the sample where they may attempt to cheat or alter the test.