Originally published by Mirror UK.
A new drug test that can detect if people are intoxicated from just a fingerprint is being trialled at a clinic in North Wales.
The new test, developed by Intelligent Fingerprinting – a spin-out company from the University of East Anglia – is able to detect traces of drugs in users’ fingerprint sweat.
Fingerprint sample collection takes only a few seconds and is more dignified and hygienic than traditional drug testing procedures involving saliva or urine.
It is also more convenient and cost-effective, as there is no need for specialist collection or biohazardous waste disposal facilities.
The new fingerprint drug test is currently being trialled by rehabilitation and recovery charity CAIS at its Parkland Place clinic in North Wales.
“With sample collection in seconds and results in 10 minutes, we’ve found that the Intelligent Fingerprinting drug test approach works particularly well as part of drug rehabilitation programmemes,” said Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates.
The test features a small, Drug Screening Cartridge onto which ten fingerprint sweat samples are collected, in a process which takes less than a minute.
A portable analysis unit then reads the Cartridge and provides a positive or negative result on-screen for all drugs in the test in ten minutes.
The test screens for the opioid substitution drugs methadone and buprenorphine, as well as benzodiazepines (sleeping pills and tranquillisers) and opiates (such as codeine, heroin and morphine).
“Staff at CAIS find the Intelligent Fingerprinting drug testing method much easier to use than previous testing methods,” added Dr Yates.
“Because testing can be carried out on-site with results available quickly, fingerprint drug tests can support a much more transparent approach to treatment as they help measure a client’s progress towards recovery.”
CAIS plans to extend the technology to its secure detoxification service in Wrexham and residential drug detoxification and rehabilitation clinic near Chorley in Lancashire in the coming months.
“While drug testing is an important part of our dedicated detox services, we’re always keen at CAIS to ensure a safe and empathetic environment,” said CAIS Chief Executive, Clive Wolfendale.
“The Intelligent Fingerprinting test method ensures that we can screen our guests in a dignified and hygienic way.”
