Dexamphetamine & drug screening
If you take Dexamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) to treat your ADHD and were stopped by the police during routine roadside screening, would you test positive for amphetamine? What about if your employer routinely screens all employees?
What is drug testing
Drug testing involves looking for traces of drugs in the body using samples of urine, breath, hair, saliva, or sweat. Testing may be used to detect illegal drug use, as well as the use of drugs not permitted while driving, when working in a specific arena or when participating in elite sports.
Roadside drug testing
Random roadside drug testing uses saliva samples to detect illicit drugs.
Specially-trained police officers take a sample of a person’s saliva, using an absorbent collector placed in the mouth or on the tongue. This test takes about 3 to 5 minutes. If the test is positive, it must be confirmed by laboratory testing before charges can be laid.
Roadside saliva tests detect drugs that contain:
- THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the active component in cannabis
- Methamphetamine, which is found in drugs such as ’speed’, ’base’, ‘ice’, and ‘crystal meth’
- MDMA, which is known as ecstasy
It does not detect the presence of prescription drugs or common over the counter medications, such as cold and flu tablets, sinus medication (e.g. Sudafed), asthma or ADHD medication.
https://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/towardszerotogether/Safer_behaviours/Drug_driving2/drug_driving_faqs
In some states it is a legal requirement for individuals with ADHD to declare their disorder to the Department of Transport. In WA you are sent a letter once a year that you have to take to your GP who signs of you are continue to be fit to drive.
NSW (website states you must declare but no form provided)
Drug screening in the workplace
Most workplaces that screen for drug use test urine samples as this is the most cost effective means of screening available. Individuals treated with amphetamines or lisdexamfetamine will generally test positive for amphetamine during urine screening. For this reason, many experts suggest that individuals notify a future employer beforehand of likely test outcomes or carrying with them a certificate for medication.
Drug screening in elite sport
Elite sports persons are required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exception from the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) if they take stimulant medication. The authority screens for drug use using either urine or blood samples and therefore individuals treated with amphetamines or lisdexamfetamine will generally test positive for amphetamine use.
https://www.asada.gov.au/