Drug and alcohol use plays a significant role in Family Law cases.<\/p>\n
Types of Tests<\/strong> Urine Testing<\/strong> Hair Testing<\/strong>
\nSuppose an allegation of drug and alcohol abuse is made in parenting proceedings. In that case, orders for testing need to be sought at the earliest opportunity to substantiate those allegations to demonstrate what steps have been taken to reduce or eliminate any risk to a child.<\/p>\n
\nThe advantage of using a urine test is that a wide range of substances is detectable. However, the detection window for some drugs varies. Given that most drugs are not detectable after less than five days, testing for longer-term use is generally ineffectual via this method.<\/p>\n
\nThis method of testing has become more common in family law matters. The advantage of hair testing is that there is a longer window of detection and can provide information about a person\u2019s pattern of alcohol or drug use instead of one-off or occasional use, which assists the Court in determining risk. A limitation of this method of testing is that recent or single drug use may not be detected.<\/p>\n