Confirm Biosciences introduces DrugConfirm test

SAN DIEGO Confirm BioSciences on Friday introduced its new DrugConfirm test, an instant-results test for six different illegal drugs that features push button technology. Once the urine is collected and the button on the cup is pushed, the urine will be held in a secure chamber thus eliminating donor manipulation.

DrugConfirm tests for marijuana, cocaine, opiates (such as heroin), methamphetamines, PCP and amphetamines.

More than 3 million youths between the ages of 12 and 17 used marijuana at least once during the past year, according to Department of Health statistics.

“Today more and more parents have the ability to implement drug testing policies within their households, helping deter their own children from becoming part of this statistic,” the company stated. “DrugConfirm test results are instant, so parents can find out right away whether or not their loved ones are using. They also have the option to send the urine sample to the lab for a confirmation screening for extra validation.”

Two-thirds of parents would ask their teenage son or daughter to take a home drug test as a means of keeping them away from drugs, according to a 2006 survey of 2,064 parents, the company noted.

“Parents are the number one deterrent to a teen's decision to use drugs,” stated Zeynep Ilgaz, Confirm BioSciences CEO. “Studies have shown that the average age of first drug use is 13; more than one-third of teens have used drugs, including almost one in six middle school students and 30% of their high school counterparts reporting marijuana use; and 13% of high school students report using drugs such as cocaine, crack or ecstasy.”

Suggested retail price for the kit is $23.99, which includes prepaid shipping materials for lab, urinalysis report, lab fee and a free counseling hotline.