All offenders are required to undergo periodic urinalysis testing for drug and alcohol use. Studies have shown that drug and alcohol testing serves as a deterrent to using drugs, at least when detection is linked to a sanction. The goal of testing is to reduce criminal behavior by detecting current drug and alcohol users and deterring their use. 

The department uses Rapid Drug Screen® and Rapid One® assays from American Bio Medica Corporation for drug detection.  BreathScan®  Alcohol Detector tests are used for the detection of alcohol.

The department primarily tests four drug categories: alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines. Other drug tests are conducted if an offender has a history of abusing other narcotics such as ecstasy, PCP, benzodiazpine, opiates/heroin or barbiturates. 

Probation Officers use two methods to detect alcohol usage: an admission of use by the offender and a method requiring the use of an alcohol testing product that detects alcohol in the offender’s saliva.  The BreathScan® Alcohol Detector is currently used.

All CSCD offices collect and test specimens on-site.  On-site testing provides an opportunity to immediately confront the offenders when a positive result is obtained.

Following admission of alcohol or drug use, the officer then utilizes the Continuum of Sanctions as appropriate to the individual.

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