[Urine analysis for legal confirmation in opiate addicts]

Urine samples of 31 probands who had come in conflict with the Dangerous Drugs act and therefore had to take part in urinalysis tests where analysed during a period of 34 months. The purpose of this study was to find out whether urinalysis testing can reduce drug abuse. The urine samples were tested on morphine/codeine, cannabis and barbiturates. 28 out of 31 persons were to be tested on morphine, 13 on cannabis and 26 on barbiturates. 32% of the persons tested on morphine showed no positive results during the whole period of investigation. 3% had continuous relapses (greater than 30% positive results) during this time. A significant (x2 = 28.98) decrease of positive samples at the end of the investigation period was found. The tests on barbiturates showed no significant (x2 = 0) influence of the urinalysis on the frequency of positive results. Tests on cannabis showed a slightly significant (x2 = 4.26) increase of positive results at the end of the investigation period. Most of the test persons showed an obvious improvement of their social and family conditions during this period.