Products Altering Drug and Alcohol Hair Test Results are Cause for Concern

May 21, 2012 - PRLog -- The problem with hair testing for substance misuse is that the results can be affected with the use of various hair products and cosmetics.  Police in the United States recently raided a store that sold illegal products off the shelf that were specifically designed to help the consumer pass a drug test.  This leads to the question of whether these products are available here in the UK.

The Internet is littered with websites selling these products for one purpose only - to alter the results of drug and alcohol tests for whatever reason; child custody, workplace testing or criminal cases.

The Director of Atkinson Lewis, an organisation that supports legal professionals and local authorities in childcare cases that feature substance abuse said "These products are damaging the process of assessing individuals for their capabilities which could have detrimental effects to children and the general welfare of many lives".

This discovery highlights the urgency for companies and courts pursuing in testing for substance abuse, to not rely on one single testing procedure; or to pursue in other tests that are more difficult to interfere with, i.e. blood testing.

Expert assessments are a vital component in gaining an accurate picture of one's drug and alcohol consumption in family proceedings courts.  Atkinson Lewis ensures that correct types of tests are issued to certify that particular questions are answered.  The organisation asks what questions the professional instructing the test is looking for when testing.

As an organisation that provides expert witnesses reports to the family courts, Atkinson Lewis gather a full body of experts, including lab teams, Social Services and clinical professionals, to consider every shred of evidence before reaching recommendations. And even then, procedures are validated by regularly consulting with peer review groups comprised of Psychiatrists and Psychologists, which form our core group of Expert Witnesses.

Further information about Atkinson Lewis's range of services can be found by visiting www.atkinsonlewis.co.uk where specialist information and discussion pages can be accessed by registering as a member.  Alternatively, they can be contacted at enquiries@atkinsonlewis.co.uk or by calling 0330 1002 555.

ENDS      
For Media Enquiries:
For interview or further information about this topic, please contact Miss. Kathryn Powell, PR Officer for Atkinson Lewis Ltd.
Email:     Kathryn@atkinsonlewis.co.uk   Telephone:  01792 578623 ext 148
Twitter:   @AtkinsonLewis         Website:  www.atkinsonlewis.co.uk
Address:    Atkinson Lewis Ltd., 1st Floor, Unit 1, Ystrad Road, Swansea, SA5 4HJ

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Notes to Editors:

Atkinson Lewis
Atkinson Lewis is an organisation that specialises in case management services and software.  We're a team of specialists, pooled from all the medical and scientific fields that play a role in childcare cases.  Our clinical experts have spent over 15 years helping to establish patterns of substance abuse among parents and potential carers.  And all the while, our admin team has been supporting casework, managing the needs of Courts, Local Authorities, Solicitors and Social Services.

We're here to save you time and effort - providing all the medical and scientific expertise you need, as well as removing the admin burden. Our complete service includes psychiatric and psychological reports, collection and testing of hair and blood samples, interpretation of lab results and more.  We'll even provide an expert witness to support your case in Court.