Dynamic Testing Solutions

Calgary teen dies in hospital of drug overdose

2011-12-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

QR77 Newsroom
11/30/2011A 16 year old boy rushed to Children's Hospital from a party in Harvest Hills last Saturday afternoon...died this morning from what's being called a drug overdose. Several teens had gathered for the party at a home in the 100 block of Harvest Oak Crescent NE, and the boy ingested an unknown quantity of what was believed to be ecstasy. He was rushed to hospital in critical, life-threatening condition. Eight other teens in attendance were also taken to hospital for precautionary reasons and subsequently released. The initial investigation does not indicate that the teens were the victims of a criminal act. However, the investigation is ongoing. The boy's identity is not being released and his family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Police would like teens and parents alike, to take this tragic situation as a reminder of the dangers of illegal drug use.

http://www.qr77.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1579592

Identify Signs of Drug Addiction And Drug Abuse

2011-11-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

If you are not sure about the possibility that someone you know may be abusing drugs, this may be of some help. Listed below are the most common drugs abused and the signs to look out for. Don’t, as many parents or spouses have told us, be caught completely unaware when small signs have gone unnoticed and a catastrophe occurs. The police knocking on the door or a phone call from a hospital are not the times to realize that someone has a drug addiction.

It is sometimes difficult to imagine that a loved one is using drugs and the signs of drug addiction can range from seemingly harmless lapses in judgment to involvement with law enforcement. Very often when clients go for treatment it is clear that there have been many warning signs, sometimes spanning years, which have simply been missed by the addict’s loved ones. Often if these signs had been noticed earlier the addict would have suffered fewer consequences from their drug use.

In all instances of substance abuse, watch for a tendency on the part of the abuser to refrain and shun conversation and face-to-face meetings with others. You are watching for behaviour that represents a somewhat dramatic change in character from previous experience. The signs of drug abuse and drug addiction can be and will be explained away by the person using the drugs.

Don’t be fooled. As painful as it may be, detecting the signs of drug abuse, learning about the different types of drugs and getting help can possibly save someone’s life.

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. Get Help! A drug addiction won’t go away by talking or wishing it away.

Call us for more information!

Warning Signs;

Prescription Drug Abuse

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Acts intoxicated

- Slurred speech

- Stumbling gate

- Droopy eyes

- Un-warranted sleep episodes –fall asleep at dinner etc

- Listlessness

Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

- Bottles of prescription medicines, pills, blister packs

Signs of Cocaine, Crack Abuse and Addiction

Drug Addict Physical Appearance

- Glassy eyes

- Very very large pupils (hidden by sunglasses on occasion)

- A nose that appears raw and red (if they sniff the drug)

- Needle marks in arms, behind knees, or ankles

- Do they wear long sleeve shirts even in hot weather to cover their arms

- Scabs/burns on mouth, burn marks on fingers or arms

- Scabs on arms, face, legs from picking

- Teeth that are weak/broken

- Loss of weight

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Erratic, restless, anxious behaviour, irritable

- Trouble sitting still or relaxing, nervous, aggressive

- Do they itch and scratch often picking at parts of their arms, legs, or face

- Long periods of no sleep

- After being up for extended periods of times will “crash” and sleep for extended periods of time

- Tends to move fast, often repeating the same action for hours (cleaning, fixing something)

- May have no appetite or interest in food

- Ramble in their conversation, jumping from one subject to the next

- Constantly sniffing, despite lack of cold or allergies

- Constantly licking lips, extremely thirsty

- May sweat profusely

- Sudden change in appetite or weight

Signs of Marijuana Abuse

Drug Addict Physical Appearance

- Irritated, bloodshot, red eyes

- Dazed or expressionless appearance

- Dry lips or “cotton mouth”

- Strong odour of burnt rope or grass on person or clothes

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Walking around in a daze or euphoric stupor

- Lack of emotion, “whatever” attitude

- Staring out into space or at nothing

- May go into fits of laughter or laugh when there is nothing to laugh about.

- Putting clothes in wash immediately upon coming home

- Taking a quick shower before being around other

- Suddenly very hungry, “munchies”

Signs of Methamphetamine Abuse

Methamphetamine Addict Physical Appearance

- Dilated pupils and rapid, darting eyes

- Frequent sweating

- Tooth decay

- Skin lesions and frequent sores that take a long time to heal

- Weight loss

Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behaviour

- Obsessive, fidgety behaviour

- Repeatedly performing the same task over and over again.

- Constant, rambling conversation

- Wakefulness that lasts for days

- Absence from work or daily routine

- Depression during withdrawal stages

- Sleeping for days after coming down off meth

- Dangerous sexual promiscuity.

- Frustration that they can’t seem to focus or think

- Hallucinations, paranoia

'Bath Salts' Drugs Warnings

2011-11-30T14:39:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (Oct. 13, 2011) — Urgently needed tests which could help identify the manufacturers of designer 'legal high' drugs are being developed in research led at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. The drugs, known by names such as 'ivory wave' and NRG-1" and sold labelled as bath salts, plant food and incense, mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy. Although these so-called 'designer drugs' can be dangerous, many have not yet been made illegal and are difficult to detect with current drug tests.

A means of potentially tracing the source of the raw materials, and consequently providing information as to who is making the 'bath salts,' is being developed by scientists at Strathclyde and The James Hutton Institute.

The bath salts drug can cause euphoria, paranoia, anxiety and hallucinations. It often contains mephedrone, a synthetic compound structurally related to methcathinone, which is found in Khat -- a plant which, like mephedrone itself, is illegal in many countries.

The bath salts drug is labelled as being not for human consumption and is not illegal in the UK but its import has been banned. The term 'bath salts' is used by those who sell the drug as a way of circumventing legislation when supplying it.

The researchers developing tests for the drug are using a technique known as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to reveal the course of a drug's manufacture.

The research is being carried out by Dr Oliver Sutcliffe, at the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, and Professor Niamh Nic Daeid and Dr Katy Savage at the Centre for Forensic Science in the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, in collaboration with Dr Wolfram Meier-Augenstein at The James Hutton Institute.

Dr Sutcliffe said: "The legal status of designer drugs varies around the world but they present many dangers to users and these are borne out by the Home Office's decision to ban the import of 'bath salts.'

"The new method we have used has enabled us to work backwards and trace the substances back to their starting materials. IRMS measures the relative amounts of an element's different forms- it is successful because these relative amounts are transferred like a fingerprint through the synthesis of the drug."

In previous research, the Strathclyde team developed the first pure reference standard for mephedrone, as well as the first reliable liquid chromatography test for the substance, which could be run in a typical law enforcement lab.

The team has also developed a comprehensive screening method for 16 known legal high drug variants using conventional gas chromatographic analysis and are developing a semi- quantitative colourimetric test kit for legal highs which can be used by law enforcement at point of seizure, facilitating a more rapid response to these materials.

The project was presented at the recent 242nd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), which was held in Denver.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013121703.htm

Bath Salts

2011-06-03T13:25:00.000-06:00

Drug Czar Warns Against Taking 'Bath Salts' Drugs

By The Associated Press - Wednesday, February 2 2011

White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske warned people Tuesday against taking the newest synthetic drugs, often marketed as "bath salts" and being sold legally on the Internet and in drug paraphernalia stores.
The powdered drugs are sold under such brand names as "Ivory Wave" or "Purple Wave." Kerlikowske said synthetic stimulants in them have made hundreds of users across the country sick already this year. A Mississippi sheriff's office has said the drugs are suspected in an apparent overdose death there.
"They pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of young people and anyone who uses them," Kerlikowske said in a written statement. The American Association of Poison Control Centers has received 251 calls related to "bath salts" so far this year, compared to 236 such calls to poison centers during all of 2010.
Kerlikowske said these stimulants can cause chest pains, increased blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions.
Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesman for Kerlikowske's office, said the drugs mimic the effects of cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD.
Kerlikowske's office convened a meeting of federal drug and health officials at the White House Tuesday to discuss their growing popularity. He was later briefed on that discussion, Lemaitre said.
The "bath salts" drugs, also sometimes labeled as plant food, contain the synthetic stimulants MDPV, or 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and mephedrone. Those chemicals are neither controlled by the Drug Enforcement Administration nor approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration.
No plans for federal regulation plans were announced Tuesday. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has drafted a bill that would add the chemicals to the list of federally controlled substances.
Hawaii, Michigan, Louisiana, Kentucky, and North Dakota are considering legislation to ban the products. Several counties, cities, and local municipalities have also taken action to ban these products.
DEA spokesman Rusty Payne said users "are playing Russian roulette when you are dealing with this stuff."

Payne said the DEA is working with health officials to study abuse data and other information about the synthetic stimulants used in the "bath salts." For now, he said people should simply stay away from the drugs.
"Just because something is not illegal . does not mean it's safe," Payne said.
The "bath salts" are the latest synthetic drugs to be targeted by federal authorities. In November, the DEA announced its intention to use emergency authority to ban five chemicals used to make synthetic marijuana products that were also sold in drug paraphernalia shops and on the Internet.
- Article from The Associated Press.

A Vaccine for Methamphetamine Abuse

2011-06-03T13:06:00.001-06:00

Toward a Vaccine for Methamphetamine Abuse

ScienceDaily (May 12, 2011)

Scientists are reporting development of three promising formulations that could be used in a vaccine to treat methamphetamine addiction -- one of the most serious drug abuse problems in the U.S. The report appears in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

In the paper, Kim Janda and colleagues note that methamphetamine use and addiction cost the U.S. more than $23 billion annually due to medical and law enforcement expenses, as well as lost productivity. The drug, also called "meth" or "crystal meth," can cause a variety of problems including cardiovascular damage and death. Meth is highly addictive, and users in conventional behavioral treatment programs often relapse. Previously tested meth vaccines either are not effective or are very expensive. To overcome these challenges, the researchers made and tested new vaccine formulations that could potentially be effective for long periods, which would drive down costs and help prevent relapse.

The group found that three of the new formulations that produced a good immune response in mice (stand-ins for humans in the lab) were particularly promising. "These findings represent a unique approach to the design of new vaccines against methamphetamine abuse," say the researchers.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by American Chemical Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Journal Reference:

Amira Y. Moreno, Alexander V. Mayorov, Kim D. Janda. Impact of Distinct Chemical Structures for the Development of a Methamphetamine Vaccine. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2011; 133 (17): 6587 DOI: 10.1021/ja108807j

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Drug Testing in Professional Sports

2011-05-10T09:23:00.000-06:00

Drug testing bodies criticize UFC claims

ReutersApril 29, 2011

The Ultimate Fighting Championship claims to have the toughest drugtesting in North American sport, but doping officials disagree and have challenged them to get serious about ensuring their sport is clean.
With a record 55,000 mixed martial arts fans expected to pack into the Rogers Centre on Saturday for UFC 129, organizers say every fighter stepping into the cage for a title bout will be tested for performance-enhancing drugs.
But the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and USADA say they have had no role in the UFC's antidoping efforts and have not tested a single fighter.
Instead, testing has been left to individual state and provincial athletic commissions, which USADA chief Travis Tygart describes as woefully inadequate.
"They want, for public relation and marketing reasons, to say they have something that makes them look better than they truly are," Tygart told Reuters.
"Why don't they have better rules to give athletes and sports fans comfort that there is not a rampant culture of cheating with dangerous drugs going on in their sport?
"They're trying to pull a fast one here." Tom Wright, the UFC's director of Canadian operations, told Reuters that testing at UFC 129 would follow WADA guidelines, but neither WADA nor the CCES will conduct testing.
A WADA spokesperson told Reuters the antidoping agency has had no contact with the UFC while the CCES confirmed it had approached the UFC about the need for testing, but so far has not been involved in any of the UFC's Canadian events.
The Ontario Athletic Commission, which sanctioned the event, told Reuters in an email that it does not test at this time and the commission would only oversee testing if the agreement between the fighter and the promoter required it.
"We would like to work with CCES, but these things take time," Wright said. "But the important thing is it has not changed our philosophy as it relates to drug abuse in our sport."
Wright said that the Quebec Athletic Commission will oversee testing at UFC 129 and that all samples will be analyzed at the WADA accredited laboratory in Montreal.
While the UFC's testing protocols do not meet WADA's stringent standards, the organization has weeded out drug cheats and handed down harsh punishment.
Most recently, light heavyweight Thiago Silva failed a drug test at UFC 125 and has had his licence revoked for a period of one year and fined 25 per cent of his fight purse and win bonus.
"What a lot of people don't realize is we are regulated by the government," UFC president Dana White told Reuters. "The government oversees what we do and the government comes in and drug tests these guys.
"If you get caught using steroids these days you seriously have to be a moron."
In the United States, where the majority of UFC events are staged, it is the state athletic commissions that do testing.
Tygart said not only are the state athlete commissions inadequate, but that lawyers for mixed martial arts argued at a recent Nevada State Athletic Commission hearing against beefing up anti-doping efforts with blood testing.
"Not only are they not WADA Code compliant they have fought tooth and nail not to have any principles of the WADA Code," said Tygart. "It's a joke that they claim they are trying to protect their sport with WADA policies.
"Make no mistake, rules that apply to UFC in the states are horrific in comparison to the WADA Code."

How was DNA Used to Verify the Identity of Osama bin Laden

2011-05-05T08:51:00.003-06:00

How was DNA Used to Verify the Identity of Osama bin Laden

May 1st, 2011 marks the final chapter in a manhunt that has consumed many in the U.S. Intelligence Community

It has been reported that DNA Testing has provided a "99.9% certainty" that the person shot to death in Abbottabad Pakistan was Osama bin Laden. As with any high profile news story, the media has exploded with theories and speculation about the possibility DNA testing is capable of producing definitive results in such a short period of time.

As our laboratory performs the same relationship testing on over 60,000 samples per year, we clearly understand that with proper preparation, DNA identification is possible in a time frame of less than 6 hours.

There is considerable speculation, which has spawned numerous phone calls this week regarding the probable nature of testing. One of the issues other than timing is, "Who did they compare it to?" It has not been disclosed at this point, but considering the result of 99.9% and available relatives, one would assume a siblingship. Osama bin Laden's father had 54 children with 22 wives. Osama was the only child Alia Ghanem had with his father, which rules out full siblingship. However, there is obviously a host of half siblings that could be used to determine half siblings. Osama is also thought to have fathered 26 children.

It has been asked if the Intelligence Community may have had his full profile from a variety of touch DNA samples. If bin Laden's full profile was known, you would have a much higher probability than 99.9%. It is unknown how many siblings or other relatives were used in the family reconstruction. The number needed in order to reach the reported degree of certainty would depend on several factors, most importantly the commonality of any unusual features in bin Laden's genetic makeup. "If he had very rare alleles (gene variants), one family member might be enough to get certainty," John Butler, a leading expert on forensic DNA analysis at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), told Innovation News Daily, "If he has a common genetic profile, you might need more relatives".

The use of Y-STR testing, and comparison with male members of the patrilineal line would be able to tell if the decedent was one of many half brothers, cousins and so on, but would not provide definitive evidence of his identity. It would however, help narrow things down. Y-chromosome testing was used in lineage determinations with cases such as Thomas Jefferson and Saddam Hussein. It has been reported that DNA had been collected from a half sister of Osama bin Laden who had died in Massachusetts. It is likely that DNA has over time been collected from other relatives. Using the same test kits which contain the 13 CODIS STR (Short Tandem Repeats) loci, plus many others, family reconstruction is possible. NIST has developed a long list of discriminating STR loci that can be used to boost the confidence of kinship statistics.

If bin Laden's relatives can be persuaded to provide DNA samples for identification, the kinship probabilities could strengthen from the already highly compelling evidence. ABC News has reported that U.S. Officials had asked bin Laden relatives for DNA samples after they thought he may have been killed in a missile strike last February. If bin Laden's mother, now known as Hamida al-Attas, could be persuaded to provide a DNA sample, the probability of relatedness could improve exponentially. However, combining the existing DNA probabilities with the additional probability of a 6 foot four inch tall Arab man, in a compound in Abbottabad the probability of identification is strong.

Article from Chromosomal Laboratories.

Illegal drugs seized from head shops

2011-01-27T15:41:00.001-07:00

Police have seized about $30,000 worth of illegal drugs from local shops that sell pipes, bongs and other smoking accessories.

Synthetic marijuana was being sold at seven different stores, including Bongs & Such, Smoker's Corner and Grass Roots.

Synthetic cannabis, which also goes by the brand names Spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Tribe and Skunk, is a herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of marijuana. According to medical reports from the U.S., users have suffered various side effects from using synthetic marijuana, including panic attacks, heart palpitations, hallucination, delusions and vomiting.

It's illegal in Canada.

There have been approximately 50 seizures of this drug across Canada since 2008, but this is the first known seizure of this drug in the Prairie Region.

Many of the synthetic compounds used to make synthetic marijuana fall under Schedule II of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Spice is also illegal in many European countries and several states in the U.S.

Original article can be found here at ctvcalgary.ca

Local News: Cocaine, guns seized in raids

2011-01-26T15:22:00.001-07:00

Police have seized nearly four kilos of cocaine in a recent raid.

Officers executed six search warrants at various locations in Calgary on Tuesday. Homes were searched in Hidden Hills, Panorama Hills and the 2200 block of 68 Street N.E.

Investigators believe these locations were used as stash locations for various quantities of cocaine.

The residences on 68 Street and Panatella Street were used solely for the purpose of storage and conversion of cocaine into crack cocaine.

In total, police seized 3.6 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $350,000, cash totaling $45,000, two handguns, one M1 assault rifle, and a conducted energy weapon.

Alexander Kosmak, 26, of Calgary was arrested inside one of the searched homes.

Kosmak faces 41 criminal code charges for drug and weapons-related offences.

Philip Defazio, 22, of Calgary, faces four charges connected with drug trafficking and weapons offences.

The Original Article can be found Here at ctvcalgary.ca

Spice: A Dangerous New Drug

2011-01-26T15:19:00.001-07:00

Drug Abuse That Is Legal

There’s a drug popular with teens in the U.S. that many parents may never have heard of, but worst of all – it is legal. This drug, called “Spice” or “K2” is said to give the user a marijuana-like high. Sold in shops and online as incense, it is being smoked as a legal alternative to marijuana. But this drug appears to have far more dangerous side-effects and without the necessary regulation, consumers have no idea what they’re really getting.

Spice originally appeared on the scene in the late 1990s, but didn’t really become popular until 2008. As the drug gained popularity in Europe, scientists began conducting research into the composition of this drug and any potential effects on the body. As a result of these investigations, many countries subsequently banned Spice including Germany, France, Chile, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, and the U.K. The United States currently has no such ban on the drug, likely due to the fact that it has only recently become popular in the U.S.

German researchers were able to determine that Spice contained a variety of synthetic cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds devised to produce marijuana-like effects. There was a high quantity of other synthetic chemicals found as well, indicating that a user really has no way of knowing what they are being exposed to. Worse yet, Spice appears to have many negative side effects that marijuana does not such as anxiety attacks, hallucinations, nausea, and a chemical dependency. Three teenagers in Roswell, GA were recently hospitalized after using Spice. One teen had a severe reaction to the drug, resulting in swelling of the brain.

Currently there is no way to test for the use of Spice, as it is not a regulated drug. Theoretically, children under the age of 18 cannot buy the drug, as head shops and online stores are not supposed to sell to minors. As this drug is still legal in the U.S., many people may be led to believe that it is a safe alternative to marijuana. This could not be further from the truth. Parents, teachers, and lawmakers need to be made aware that this drug is out there and that it has the potential to harm the lives of our children.

Sources:

Deutsche Welle: Germany Bans Cannabis-Like Drug

Times Online: 'Spice' Ban As Tests Show Legal Drug As Potent As Cannabis

Wikipedia Entry for "Spice"

Mind Hacks - Spice Flow: The New Pharmacology

My Fox Atlanta: Roswell Police Warn of Synthetic Pot

Creative Loafing: Spice Is A Helluva Drug

The original article can be found Here at Hub Pages.com by Melissa McClain

Teens Using Marijuana at Younger Ages

2011-01-26T15:14:00.002-07:00

The following article was first published on October 14th of 2010 in the Foster Folly News

New Data Shows Average Age of First Use Dropping; White House Drug Policy Director Warns of Consequences of Rising Teen Marijuana Use.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Policy (ONDCP), today alerted parents to the heightened dangers of marijuana use that has risen sharply, with kids starting to use the drug at a younger age.

According to recently released data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there were 2.4 million new past-year users of marijuana in 2009 and the average age of initiation – first-time use of the drug − dropped from 17.8 in 2008 to 17.0 in 2009. The survey also reported a nine percent increase (from 6.7% to 7.3%) of current users of marijuana age 12 or older between 2008 and 2009.

Marijuana use is associated with dependence, respiratory and mental illness, poor motor performance, and cognitive impairment, among other negative effects. Although using drugs at any age can lead to addiction, research shows the earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely they are to progress to more serious abuse and addiction – even later in life, after use has decreased, reflecting the harmful, long-lasting effects drugs can have on the developing brain. Research suggests the human brain is still maturing during the adolescent years, with significant changes continuing into the early 20s.

“Marijuana use is increasing, teens are starting to use the drug at younger ages, and attitudes about the dangers of drug use are eroding,” said Kerlikowske. “We recognize American families are facing many challenges today, but failing to adequately prevent young people from using drugs now can lead to a lifetime of devastating consequences.”

A renewed focus on drug prevention is a major component of the Obama Administration's effort to implement a public health approach to reducing drug abuse and its consequences. President Obama's FY 2011 Budget request includes an increase of more than $203 million in prevention funding – a 13 percent increase.

Last week, Director Kerlikowske cited three steps parents can take to protect young people from illegal drug use, including talking to kids about drugs, learning to spot risk factors, and going through medicine cabinets to remove expired, un-needed, or unused prescription drugs. For more tips and parenting resources, visit: www.TheAntiDrug.com.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy seeks to foster healthy individuals and safe communities by effectively leading the Nation’s effort to reduce drug use and its consequences

Original Article can be found Here

Charges laid after drugs seized from Calgary grocery store

2010-02-04T12:24:00.003-07:00

By Jason van Rassel, Calgary Herald

Source

What started with a large seizure of opium poppies in Calgary last fall and a suspicion the plants were being made into a narcotic known as doda led Wednesday to the first local seizure of the drug. Police said they seized 13 kilograms of doda and 60 kilograms of unprocessed seed pods and poppies Wednesday morning during a raid at Desi Bazaar, a grocery store in the 5100 block of 47th Street N.E. that sells South Asian specialties.

"It was a substance we hadn't heard too much about, but it was a substance members of the public brought to our attention," said Staff Sgt. Darren Cave of the Calgary police drug unit. The tips led police to start an investigation, during which they allege they bought quantities of the drug at the store.

"My understanding is it was behind the counter," Cave said. Police have also taken a man and woman into custody and charged them with trafficking and production of narcotics. Authorities plan to release their names. Doda is a dried, ground substance made from seed pods taken from poppies -- the same plant that produces opium and its derivative, heroin. The powder is typically brewed into a tea. Police estimated an ounce would sell for about $20. That amount could be used to make five or six doses. Doda users experience a quick high, followed by a sense of calm. However, it belongs to the same family of drugs as heroin and codeine, and police warned long-term use is just as harmful.

"They're all addictive," said Det. Doug Hudacin, a Calgary police drug expert.
But much of the knowledge Calgary police have amassed has been gleaned in the past six months, when authorities saw the first indications doda was being trafficked here. Last September, the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency seized more than 7,000 kilograms of dried poppy pods in two truck shipments that were inspected after arriving at a Calgary customs facility.

That investigation, which is continuing, has ties to the current probe and also prompted the Calgary police drug unit to form a working group with other law enforcement agencies, including the RCMP and border services. "We're all in a learning process," Cave said. At the time of last fall's seizure, some community leaders and local politicians expressed concerns doda consumption was growing among Calgary's South Asian community. On Wednesday, officials downplayed that connection, saying while doda has origins in countries such as India and Afghanistan, its use here isn't restricted to any particular community anymore.

"Whether it's in a specific community or not, these things tend to spread," said Det. Doug Hudacin.

However deeply rooted doda may be in its native countries, it is viewed no differently under Canadian law than other illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

DNA used to confirm missing child's Identity.

2009-11-03T12:12:00.001-07:00

The following is a news article describing the return of a child who was abducted and returned 11 years later! The authorities are using DNA testing to confirm the young woman's identity. This story is an example as to why a Child DNA Protection Kit could be beneficial to you.

Source

Kidnapped Girl Jaycee Lee Dugard Found Alive After 18 Years

Jaycee's stepfather tells CBS13 that the FBI says they have people responsible for her disappearance.Contra Costa Co. confirms a man and woman are in custody in relation to the case.

Reporting Kurtis Ming South Lake Tahoe (CBS13) ―A woman showed up in Contra Costa County yesterday, claiming to be Jaycee Lee Dugard, who has been missing for 18 years.

Phillip Garrido, a sus More..pect in the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard, who was abducted from South Lake Tahoe in 1991.FBI agents swarm an Antioch home collecting evidence in the kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard.

Jaycee Lee Dugard, an 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped from South Lake Tahoe in 1991, has been found alive and in good health in the Bay Area, according to the El Doraco County Sheriff's office. The now 29-year-old walked into the Concord police station yesterday saying she was the victim of the 1991 abduction. And this morning, the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department confirms a man and woman are in custody in relation to the case.

Dugard's mother, Terry Probyn is flying to Northern California from her home in Southern California to meet with Jaycee. Sheriff's deputies say they are 99% sure the woman is Jaycee but are conducting DNA tests to confirm it.

An officer at the Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez said the two arrested are a husband and wife. They were identified as Phillip Craig Garrido and Nancy Garrido. The officer said the two were being held on one million dollars bail each. According to the officer, Phillip Garrido has five pending charges: kidnapping, rape, lewd behavior, sexual penetration and conspiracy, while Nancy Garrido has two pending charges, kidnapping and conspiracy.

Phillip Garrido is a registered sex offender listed on the state's Megan's Law website.

Investigators are collecting evidence at a home on Walnut Ave. in Antioch where Dugard may have been living. Garrido's address on the Megan's Law website is listed on Walnut Ave.

Dugard's stepfather Carl Probyn told CBS13 that the FBI called Dugard's mother late yesterday to tell them a woman had woman walked into a Bay Area police station identifying herself as Jaycee.

"This is definitely a miracle," said Carl Probyn. "You lose hope and you just want to recover something, you know?"

This morning, Dugard's stepfather also said the FBI told Jaycee's mother that they had the people responsible.

"The FBI did tell us they have Jaycee and the people that did this," said Probyn.

Jaycee's mother told Carl that she is 90% sure this woman is her daughter and that she remembers things about her past.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Department has announced they will hold a 3:00pm press conference this afternoon to discuss the high-profile kidnapping case.

Dugard was kidnapped the morning of June 10, 1991, while walking from her home to the school bus stop on Washoan Blvd. in Meyers. Her stepfather said he watched a stranger pull up and yank Jaycee Lee into a two toned gray sedan as she kicked and screamed. Probyn believed a man and woman were in the vehicle. Although there were several false sightings, Dugard was never seen again.

CBS13's Kurtis Ming investigated the cold case in 2003 when there was renewed hope Dugard may be alive. There were several similarities to the Elizabeth Smart case out of Utah. Smart and Dugard resemble one another. Both girls were abducted in the month of June, 11 years apart. One of Smart's alleged captors, Wanda Barzee resembled the female captor in the composite sketch in Dugard's case. Dugard was kidnapped near Highway 50 which leads to Salt Lake City.

Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City bedroom on June 5, 2002 at the age of 14. She was found alive nine months later about 18 miles from her home. Smart's alleged captors, Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee have yet to go before a jury in the disappearance after being found incompetent to stand trial. Mitchell reportedly thought God told him Smart should be his second wife.

In May of 2003, shortly after Smart was reunited with her family, Dugard's mother Terry Probyn, neighbors, and investigators took a look at the possibility the cases were connected. Probyn told Kurtis she was praying her daughter was still alive, and questioned whether Dugard could've been kidnapped by religious cult members. Although El Dorado County Detectives reached out to the Salt Lake City investigators in the Smart case, the Dugard case remained cold.

Click here more information about our Child Safety Identification Kits.

Sky High Part 1

2009-11-03T11:02:00.004-07:00

Global Television Calgary has recently shown part 1 of a 2 part series entitled "Sky High". The goal of the expose is to bring to light the issue of substance abuse in the workplace, specifically in the high rise construction industry of downtown Calgary. This program is an excellent example of some of the challenges that employers face in today's workplace and clearly demonstrates why there is a need for Drug and Alcohol testing in the workplace.

Please follow the link below to view the segment in it's entirety.
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/video/index.html?releasePID=FrcaSTSxukpAm_AIYnM0J_Qi5SAQzq2f

We Care Occupational Health services deals with these sort of issue every day and have years of experience from which to draw upon. Keeping workers safe and Employers in business is our main goal and we are always happy to answer questions and provide service to the community. Please note that all enquires are confidential and discretion will always be applied by our professional staff.

For More information on we can help you, contact us today!

Infidelity Testing

2009-11-03T10:37:00.004-07:00

Sadly, "Sexual Infidelity is a serious problem plaguing relationships today and is associated with approximately seventeen percent of all divorces in the Unites States". Source

Fortunately, We Care Occupational Health Services can help. Our technicians are available to assist clients by providing an Infidelity Testing Service to our clients. Privacy and Discretion are absolutely guaranteed when it comes to this type of service and we can deliver prompt and professional service five days a week. For more specific information about what service we offer and the laboratory we work with, please follow this link.

Contact Us Today if you think that Infidelity Testing is right for you.

Alberta law cracks down on stoned drivers

2009-10-16T13:08:00.001-06:00

An Alberta law has been expanded to make it illegal for drivers to refuse a drug impairment test.
Effective on Thursday, any motorist suspected of driving under the influence of drugs who declines a police request to take a drug test could have his driver's licence suspended for three months.
The Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension program used to only include drivers who refused to provide a breath sample in cases of suspected alcohol impairment. The rule now includes drug impairment as well.
Alberta officials believe the province is the first to bring in the automatic suspensions.
Last year, 22 per cent of drivers involved in fatal collisions in Alberta were impaired, according to provincial statistics. Drugs were involved in one per cent of the crashes, but police say the number is rising.
"We are certainly seeing an increase in the amount of people that we are charging for drug-impaired driving," said Sgt. Rick Butler of the Calgary Police Service traffic section.
Trained officers conduct drug tests
The drug tests are different from the roadside examinations given for people suspected of drunk driving. Motorists are taken to a local police station for a one-hour, 12-step evaluation by a specially trained officer.
"It involves blood pressure. It involves eye dilation, pupil dilation. It involves doing actually a breath test to rule out alcohol as the cause, and then at the end of which there's also a urine analysis that's completed," explained Butler.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which supports the new rule, said more young people likely use drugs instead of alcohol when they're driving because they think they won't get caught.
"They were probably free as a bird, possibly to get through a checkstop or that kind of thing, because an officer didn't have authority to do anything more than suspect," said Denise Dubyk, who lost her son-in-law to a drunk driver in 2000 and is also the spokeswoman for MADD's Calgary chapter.

Article Source.

Question & Answer #1

2009-09-14T15:10:00.003-06:00

This will be the first installment of a Q&A series we hope will shed some light on the Drug and Alcohol collection buisness as well as address many of the questions that we commonly hear every day.

Question: " Last night I had a glass of wine. Will I fail today's alcohol test?"

Answer: Thanks for asking. I personally get asked this question at least twice a day and if all you had to drink the night before was one glass of wine, the answer is no. Simply put, there is nothing illegal about having a drink or two on your own time provided that you do so safely and responsibly. What we are testing for is if the donor (that being you) are intoxicated in any way at the time of testing. Everybody metabolizes alcohol at a different rate but as a general rule, alcohol works it's way out of your system in approximately 8-12 hours. The best advice that I could give you is if you know you are going for an alcohol test tommorrow, don't go out for drinks tonight. That way, you will have the piece of mind knowing that you do not have ANY alcohol in your system at all.

I hope that this helps.

Swine Flu Precautions To Be Taken In Schools

2009-09-14T10:52:00.002-06:00

Precautions to be taken in Schools
There it is, schools are reopening on Monday. Are you going to send your kids back?
You are aren't you?

Well we need to take the vigilance, we kept on personal hygiene at home, to schools too. Is your kid’s school ready too?

Here are a few simple measure that a school can take to prevent the spread of H1N1 again:

1. Hand hygiene
The flu may spread via contaminated hands or day to day objects that become contaminated with the viruses. Students and teachers, school staff should be encouraged to wash their hands often with soap(rather the soap dispenser bottles are better) and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Parents should themselves inquire with the school staff if enough amount of Soap, Water, Tissue Papers, Towels etc., are available. Some schools are asking the parents to send in these with their kids. But even then the schools themselves should be providing these so that every kid has access to it, often. If possible supervision should also be provided to smaller kids, as they wash hands in rest rooms, to see that they do it well.

2. Cover Your Cough
Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue/handkerchief when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the trash after use. Wash hands promptly after coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is not immediately available, coughing or sneezing into one’s arm or sleeve (not into one’s hand) is recommended. To encourage respiratory etiquette, students and staff should have access to tissues and must be educated about the importance of respiratory etiquette, including keeping hands away from the face. Parents can give their kids a small box of tissue papers to use regularly.

3. Routine Cleaning
Schools should regularly clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (for example, keyboards or desks) and also clean these areas immediately when visibly soiled. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas. Those who work in IT or Call Centers must have noticed the army of staff constantly cleaning floors, surfaces, etc. Does your kid’s school do that? Ask them to.

4. Increase social distances within the school environment
Now this depends upon the area available in each classroom and if we go by the number of students that are packed in each division in our schools the chances are bleak. If possible the distances between each desk in the classroom should be increased. Extra vigilance is required in subjects such as Craft, Drawing and Extra Curricular activities where various items (scissors, paper, gum, colors, etc are passed around). If possible those periods should be minimized.
Parents, you were vigilant, you took great care with personal hygiene of your kid at your home, now it is time you took that extra effort to see that your kid’s school too take great care in maintaining hygienic practices in their premises.

Source

Money Down the Drain

2009-09-11T15:49:00.007-06:00

Flush.....

Normally that is the sound one hears every day for personal reasons but increasingly, visitors are hearing that sound in regards to the contents of their wallet. What I am talking about are fake urine kits the donors conceal on their body when they visit our offices in order to conduct a drug test. When caught, these donors not only lose upwards of the $200.00 they spent on getting the device but also in most cases, their job as well. "It's pretty tough deny one's guilt when you have a bag of urine strapped to your body" said one collector. Substance abuse is No Joke and We Care prides itself in it's stringent collection procedures and lately we are catching at least 2 donors a week cheating. To all of you prospective donors who are thinking about wasting your money or are getting advice from " a guy you know" or some web site, smuggling something into our site is only going to put you in an uncomfortable situation. The best advice you are ever going to get is to "Stay Away from Drugs" and then you will never have to worry about it.

Why you SHOULD NOT shave your head before a hair drug test!

2009-09-11T15:34:00.001-06:00

We have had several people call or come in for a hair drug test with recently shaven heads and I would like to take this opportunity to advise the public regarding this circumstance.

A hair drug test is when hair from a donor’s body is collected, sent to a lab and analyzed for illegal substances. Hair can come from ANY portion of the human body but usually we take it from the head. We do this for several reasons but mainly it is because hair taken from the head is very accurate and the record goes back approximately 3 months.

A Body hair drug test goes back a year and can’t give specific history within that year. The body hair grows at a much slower rate and we can not ascertain the time of use. A Head hair drug test is broken into .5 of an inch for each month and can be broken down further from that if need be.

Recently, we have had a donor come in for a hair drug test and found that he had shaved off all of his head and body hair. Due to this, we were unable to do his hair test. At that point, we would have been able to do a urine drug test for the donor but the situation specifically required the donor to provide a hair sample. The donor now found himself in a situation where he could not comply with the testing procedures and he found himself in an awkward situation with the courts. Warning: If you find yourself in a similar situation and decide to be clever and shave your body, you may be in breach of court orders and land yourself in even more hot water.

I am hopeful that when you are reading up on hair drug testing on the internet you will find this article and reconsider shaving your head for any drug test. If you have more specific questions you can call our office, all consultations are confidential and personal information is handled with the utmost discretion. We are called We Care because We DO Care and it is our job to help you, the valued client.

What is Hair Drug Testing?

2009-09-08T15:03:00.002-06:00

Hair growth is fed by the bloodstream, the ingestion of drugs of abuse is revealed by analyzing a small sample of hair. The testing method measures the drug molecule embedded inside the hair shaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive or adulterated test result.
A standard drug screen covers a period of approximately 90 days. It takes only 4-5 days for the affected hair to grow far enough above the scalp for detection. The hair sample is cut as close to the scalp as possible and only the most recent 1.5 inches are tested.
Body hair may be used for drug detection but due to the slower rate of growth. Most body hair is replaced within one year, that means a test done on body hair will report drug usage with in time-frame.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLLECTION SITE PROCEDURES FOR DRUG SCREENING

2009-09-08T15:03:00.001-06:00

REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR PHOTO ID !

Careful systems have been designed to ensure accuracy and reliability of your test results. The testing procedure below assures you and your employer that your specimen has been properly collected complies with the highest chain of custody protocols. This assures you that your specimen can not be mixed up or tampered with. All test results are confidential and will not be released by the laboratory to anyone but the Medical Review Officer (MRO). Results will only be released by the MRO in confidence to your Designated Employee Representative (DER) or when required by law.
In the event that the Laboratory has reported a positive, adulterated or substituted result to the MRO, your results will be reported to the DER after you have had an opportunity to talk to the MRO. The MRO will then verify the results as a negative or a true (verified) positive, adulterated or substituted sample.
Lab Based Drug Testing Protocol:
You will be asked to provide photo ID to the collector. If you do not have proper identification, a company representative maybe asked to identify you.
You will be asked to take off your coats and leave your bags in the room. You will also be asked to empty all of your pockets out on the table and show around your waist line. You may also be asked to take off your belt, hats and sunglasses. You will also be asked to display around your ankles.
You will then be escorted to the washroom area and asked to wash your hands before providing a sample.
Your collector will mark with a line the amount of a sample needed. You may then enter the secured washroom. Secured means there is a blueing agent in the toilet and all water sources are secured.
After you have provided the sample into the cup you must pass it to the collector before flushing the toilet. If you flush the toilet before the collector has the sample then the test will be deemed void and you must wait to provide another one.
If you are unable to provide an adequate sample, drink fluids and wait till you are able to. You will be given 3 cups of water over a three hour time frame.
If the initial sample you provide is not adequate or with in temperature range it will be discarded and you will be asked to wait and provide another sample. You will not be permitted to leave the facility until an adequate sample is given or three hours have passed. You maybe directed to a licensed physician for a medical assessment.
Not providing an adequate sample maybe considered a refusal to test unless there is a legitimate medical reason. If you decided to leave the facility without providing a second sample it will be deemed a refusal to test and reported to your DER immediately.
Once you have given your specimen to the collector, the temperature will be observed. You will not be given access to wash your hands till after the sample has been passed to the collector.
The collector will then pour the sample into two separate containers and place a security seal on each. One of the containers (bottle B) is referred to as the split specimen; it will be kept sealed and securely stored.
You will be asked to sign the appropriate certification statements regarding authenticity of the specimen and the integrity of the collection process. You will be given a copy of the Drug Testing Chain of Custody Form (CCF) for your records. You may want to keep a note of all of your prescription medications and the amounts taken over the passed few weeks, in case you are contacted by the MRO.
The specimens will remain secured until they are couriered to the testing laboratory.
If your drug screen is identified as positive by the lab, or any other concerns are identified, you will be contacted by the MRO to discus the results. Failure to speak to the MRO will be considered failure to complete the testing process, and the MRO will report the lab results to your company.
Once the MRO has completed this review, the company will be advised whether your test result was negative, positive, tampered with or cancelled. PLEASE NOTE:
Your Specimen will only be tested for substances that are requested, your collector can inform you of the exact test asked for at the time of your appointment.
If the collector has any reason to believe the specimen has been tampered with, adulterated or substituted, a second sample will be collected as soon as possible. This maybe collected under direct observation or monitored observation.
If, after discussion with the MRO, you disagree with the test result, you may ask for a retest and the B Sample to be sent to another laboratory for confirmation of the results. This may or may not be covered by your employer. If the second test does not confirm the initial results, the test result obtained with the first sample would be cancelled. Express (POCT) Drug testing protocol:
Read step 1 through 9 in the Lab based testing protocol.
The collector will test the sample for adulteration and the drugs specified immediately.
If the sample appears to be tampered with, adulterated, or substituted in any way the collector will immediately call your DER to ask for further instruction.
The DER may request that the sample be sent to the lab for further testing. If this is the case the collector will then proceed with steps 10 though14 of the Lab based protocol.
If the Testing device states that there are no drug analytes present you will be asked to fill in the statement of certification and will receive a copy of the test results. DONOR CHECKLIST
1. Bring Photo Identification
2. Do not void immediately prior to going to the collection site for your test.
3. Provide Specimen and give it to the collector.
4. Fill in the appropriate Donor information on the CCF
5. Keep the donor copy of the form for your records.
6. List any medications you have taken in the past few weeks and doses, this should be kept in an easily accessible place in case the MRO needs to ask you questions.
7. Do not forget to take your personal belongings with you on your way out.

COMMON SWINE FLU (H1N1) QUESTIONS

2009-09-08T15:00:00.001-06:00

1. What is swine influenza?

Human swine influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is a new strain of the influenza virus which can be transmitted from person to person. Human swine influenza is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms that are similar to regular human seasonal influenza. One difference is some people with human swine influenza have reported vomiting and diarrhea.

2. How is human swine influenza different from the usual seasonal influenza?

Human swine influenza is a new strain of the influenza virus. Individuals are unlikely to have any natural protection against the virus.

3. What can Albertans do to protect themselves from human swine influenza?

Albertans can take simple measures to minimize the risk of being infected – Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of infection. Cough or sneeze into your arm or sleeve. If you use a tissue, dispose of it immediately and wash your hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are experiencing influenza-like symptoms. If you do become sick, stay at home.

4. What are the symptoms of human swine influenza?

The symptoms of human swine influenza in Canada have been generally mild and are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza. Symptoms may include:
Sudden onset of fever and cough;
Fatigue;
Sore throat;
Body aches;
Headache;
Lack of appetite;
Some people have experienced vomiting and diarrhea.

5. What should you do if you are concerned that you have symptoms of human swine influenza?

Anyone with a fever or cough associated with recent travel to Mexico or other affected areas is being encouraged to first check the Alberta Health Services website for further information or call Health Link Alberta before going to a health care provider’s office or health care facility.
Call Health Link:
Toll-free 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
In Edmonton, call 780-408-LINK (5465)
In Calgary, call 403-943-LINK (5465)
6. How is human swine influenza spread?
Human swine influenza is spread the same way as seasonal influenza – Person-to-person through coughing and sneezing. Droplets containing the virus are released through the air.
Contact with the virus through shaking hands or touching a hard surface, such as a counter or doorknob that has been contaminated with the virus. A person becomes infected by then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

7. Should Albertans wear masks or take antiviral medications to prevent catching human swine influenza?

No. Evidence shows that wearing masks is not effective in preventing the spread of influenza in the general public. Antivirals are not recommended for the prevention of human swine influenza and are only recommended for treatment purposes.

8. Is there a vaccine for human swine influenza?

No, at this time there is no vaccine available for this type of influenza. The seasonal influenza vaccine being used in Canada this year is not effective against this particular strain of influenza.
Efforts are underway to develop a human swine influenza vaccine. However, it can take up to six months after the strain is identified for a vaccine to be developed, tested and produced.

9. What is being done to contain the spread of human swine influenza in Alberta?

Alberta physicians are on alert and are looking for cases of influenza-like illness associated with travel to places experiencing outbreaks of human swine influenza, and considerable lab testing is being done. Surveillance is being increased and frontline health care workers are actively looking for and reporting positive cases. Health care workers have been provided with detailed advice on how to manage suspect and/or confirmed cases. Communication to Albertans is being increased to ensure they are well-informed as how best protect to themselves and their families. Contacts of confirmed cases of human swine influenza are being followed-up by public health.

10. What is being done to control the spread of the virus to Canada?

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with international partners to learn more about how this particular swine influenza virus spreads so that we can best control and slow its spread.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a travel health warning advising Canadians to postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice. Federal quarantine officers are stationed in major international airports and ports, and at borders and will detain individuals with symptoms of illness when departing or arriving in Canada so that they can be assessed. However, people may not have symptoms until later. If this happens, they should contact their health care professional to discuss their symptoms and travel history.

11. How is Alberta increasing monitoring for this disease?

Dr. André Corriveau, Alberta’s Chief Medical of Health has asked all clinicians to increase their surveillance and collaborate with Medical Officers of Health to enhance monitoring of influenza-like illness. This includes actively looking for possible cases of influenza-like illness, particularly when there is a history of travel to Mexico or other affected areas, and to notify the Medical Officers of Health if cases are identified. Laboratory surveillance is also heightened.

12. Could this be the early stages of a pandemic?

We do not know whether this human swine influenza virus will lead to the next influenza pandemic. Scientists and public health agencies around the world are on high alert as a result of the human swine influenza outbreaks in various countries.

13. Is Alberta's pandemic plan in place?

Yes, Alberta has a pandemic influenza plan in place. Alberta’s Plan for Pandemic Influenza will direct activities of the Government of Alberta, Alberta Health Services and other key groups in response to pandemic influenza, to provide a coordinated and phased-in response.

Read the Alberta Pandemic Plan

The plan consists of two components:
Alberta Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan which is the plan for the coordinated provincial response to pandemic influenza by the Government of Alberta, municipalities, industry and municipal essential service groups such as the police, fire and ambulances; and Alberta Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health System which is a plan for health-care professionals. It describes what the health system response will look like and defines roles and responsibilities. Key health interventions in the plan include antiviral medications, vaccine and infection prevention and control strategies, such as respiratory protection and etiquette, as well as hand-washing strategies. As part of the preparedness activities for a pandemic influenza, Alberta Health and Wellness provided funding to the former health regions to purchase supplies, such as masks and syringes, needed for medical treatment during a pandemic. As well, Alberta has secured a stockpile of antiviral medications to treat people who will become ill during a pandemic influenza (estimated to be 17.5 per cent of the population).

14. How is the World Health Organization responding to the human swine influenza outbreak?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency of international concern, under the International Health Regulations. This requires all member countries to intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.
Based on the WHO’s six phase pandemic alert system, the world is currently in Phase 5 of a pandemic alert. The WHO has not declared a pandemic.
Visit the WHO website for more information

15. How does the World Health Organization determine what level of alert is required?

A six-phased alert is used to determine the approach and response plan required.
For more information visit the WHO website.

16. How can an influenza virus spread from pigs to people?

Different strains of influenza regularly circulate in our environment, including strains that can cause illness in humans, birds and pigs. Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of influenza back and forth to one another through direct close contact, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. For people in close contact with pigs, the recommendations to avoid infection are the same as for regular seasonal influenza – frequent hand washing, getting an annual flu shot, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. When a swine influenza virus does affect a human, there is also a risk that the animal influenza can mutate and then spread directly between humans.

17. Should people be avoiding exposure to pigs?

In this case, we know that this type of human swine influenza is spreading between humans – not directly from pigs to people. As a result, there is little increased risk to people from close contact with pigs. However, because humans can spread the disease to pigs, individuals with influenza symptoms should avoid close contact with pigs to reduce the possibility of transmitting the disease to pigs.

18. Can I catch swine influenza from eating pork?

No. Human swine influenza is not spread through eating pork or pork byproducts. It does not pose a food safety concern. When handling raw meat, always wash your hands and dishes with warm soap and water.

LEAD LEVEL IN BODY SCREENING TEST

2009-09-08T14:31:00.001-06:00

LeadConfirm Professional, the first oral based lead test, makes getting the lead out easier.
Aimed for the professional market, LeadConfirm Professional is less invasive than blood tests at detecting lead levels in the body.

SAN DIEGO – May 11, 2009 – Until now, determining a person’s lead exposure has been an invasive procedure involving painful blood tests. However, that has changed thanks to LeadConfirm Professional, a new saliva-based test that screens for lead exposure in the body using oral fluids. The product is now available in Canada at selected distributors. Developed by Confirm BioSciences, a San Diego-based biotech company, this test does not require any needle sticks or blood from the body. Just a few simple swabs of the inside cheek is all that is needed to determine how much lead a person has been exposed to. LeadConfirm Professional comes at just the right time. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, more than 1 million workers in more than 100 different occupations are exposed to lead every day, making lead overexposure one of the most common overexposures found in industry, and one of the leading causes of workplace illness.
Even worse: OSHA also notes that lead is also a major potential public health risk; one that may be present in hazardous concentrations in food, water, and air and sources include paint, urban dust, and folk remedies. Lead poisoning is the leading environmentally induced illness in children and nearly 1 million children five years and younger have lead levels equal or greater to the levels experts consider “dangerous.” The effects of lead poison on children include speech delay, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, stunted growth, neurological and renal damage, mental retardation, anemia, and hearing loss "There is tremendous need for this product, as lead poisoning is a major issue in our society,” said Zeynep Ilgaz, President and Founder of Confirm BioSciences and a mother of two small children. “We are seeing an increase in consumers wanting to better manage their own health care and Confirm BioSciences is responding to that growing market by developing new platform technologies that help to improve the health and wellness of children and individuals," she continued. Unlike existing tests which use invasive blood tests, LeadConfirm Professional screens for lead exposure in the body using saliva, a vital bodily fluid that carries molecules, many bio markers of disease, evidence of drug use and many other indicators (known and unknown) of what is happening inside the human body. In addition, existing tests are usually only performed after a healthcare professional suspects lead exposure – and often that is too late for anything to be done. However, the non-invasive nature of LeadConfirm Professional makes it easier to check for lead exposure – and, if needed, prescribe treatment – sooner than ever.

Confirm BioSciences, LeadConfirm Professional’s parent company, researched its patented methodology and process at its partner lab, Western Slope Laboratory in Troy, Michigan. Researchers analyzed the saliva of 100 children living in North Carolina at the same time as those childrens’ blood was by that state’s Department of Health. Studies determined a 1.00 (100%) correlation between lead levels found in the saliva tests vs. blood tests making lead test as accurate as a blood test. By comparing the results of the two lead test studies it became apparent that analyzing saliva is an effective means to establish body lead – especially if this test is viewed as a “screening method” with the recommendation of a physician involved in the event results exceed a certain level. LeadConfirm Professional comes with a FDA approved collection device that should be administered by a doctor or healthcare professional. Once the saliva is collected, the vials are sent to the lab with a pre-paid envelope provided in the kit and the results can be accessed online or by phone within 5-6 business days after the lab receives the kit. The tests are analyzed CLIA by state-of-the-art Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with Mass Spectrometry X2 (LC/MS/MS) technology to determine the amount of lead present in the body. Positive results should be followed up with a physician for further analysis and treatment.

Confirm BioSciences has successfully developed and manufactured numerous screening tests including HairConfirm, the first at home hair follicle drug test in the market, and SteroidConfirm the first steroid test kit on the market. In addition, Confirm BioSciences distributes products in over 50 countries throughout the world under brand-name or private-label arrangements.

LeadConfirm Professional is currently available in Canada at We Care Health Services Calgary North Location.

About Confirm BioSciencesConfirm BioSciences is a provider of diagnostic drugs of abuse and health test kits. The company is privately held and based in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.confirmbiosciences.com/. © 2009 by Confirm BioSciences, Inc. All rights reserved.