Beyond “Positive” and “Negative”: Complexities of Drug Testing in the Child Welfare Environment

Join Safe Babies, a program of ZERO TO THREE™ to learn about common pitfalls and consequences of current drug testing practices in the child welfare system.

Why it matters: Drug testing is part of a comprehensive approach to identify, assess, engage and support parents affected by substance use.

The big picture: Gain an understanding of different kinds of drug testing, what conclusions can and can not be drawn from testing, the prevalence of inaccurate results and the complexities of sample collection and analysis to support recovery.

Your takeaways:

• Compare the sensitivity and specificity of various forms of toxicological testing.
• Identify common misinterpretations in urine toxicological screening.
• Examine drug testing policies in your organization and identify areas for improvement.

Featured speaker:

Dr. Mollie Nisen, MD, Addiction Medicine Physician, Cooper University Hospital

The National Infant-Toddler Court Program was made possible through the support of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $8,820,368 with 0 percent financed from non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.