• Designer Drugs Finally Detectable with Specialty Test from Norchem - Previously undetectable synthetic stimulants can now be identified; problem abuse skyrockets from drugs called “bath salts” or “plant fertilizers”. Flagstaff, AZ, May 19, 2011 A new wave of designer drugs, technically legal because they are labeled “not for human consumption,” … Read More
• Now, There’s a Test for That — Norchem’s “Fake Marijuana” Test Reveals Significantly Increased Abuse of Spice/K2 - Previously Undetectable Synthetic Marijuana Can Now Be Identified; Arizona Lab Norchem Also Reports Geographical Trends Where Abuse Is Higher Than Normal FLAGSTAFF, AZ–(Marketwire – November 18, 2010) – Fake or synthetic marijuana users beware. Now there’s a test for that. … Read More

Your View: Designer Drugs Need Constant Vigilance
“Visibility and awareness are very important in the fight against designer drugs.” Cynthia Whiteman, Norchem Senior Analyst.
Arizona Daily Sun – October 30, 2011

New lab test detects 4 common types of Spice
“As specific drugs are detected with our techniques, you’ll see a decline in their use.” Bill Gibbs, Norchem CEO.
KSL-TV Salt Lake City – November 19, 2010

Can Eating Poppy Seeds Make You Fail a Drug Test?
“It’s not a myth at all,” explains Cynthia Whiteman, a senior analyst at Norchem.
Chow.com Food News – October 2010

• Addicts turn to heroin as pain pills become scarce May 19, 2013
  Kevin Foley stood before a judge in Broward County's drug court - fellow abusers sitting behind in him in the pews - talking about the fitful life of a recovering addict, the random drug tests, the counseling and what he hoped was his next, clean chapter.
• Questions over hiring of Lee deputy fired after pot bust May 18, 2013
  Piotr Urbanski had been on the job less than a year when his co-workers arrested him at his girlfriend's home.
• Head Penberthy May 18, 2013
  THE number of AFL players caught using drugs is still proportionately lower than it is in the rest of the community, writes David Penberthy.
• Players fend off rants over drugs May 18, 2013
  When, in 2005, the AFL Players Association agreed to have its players randomly tested for illicit drugs, it was permitting the opening of a Pandora's box.
• Nate Diaz Defends Pat Healy's Marijuana Use, Slams Bryan Caraway May 18, 2013
  Nate Diaz Defends Pat Healy's Marijuana Use, Slams Bryan Caraway Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.16.2013 Oh boy... - Nate Diaz posted the following today on Twitter, defending Pat Healy who was recently stripped of his victory and bonuses after failing a drug test for Marijuana.
• Malignaggi: USADA Testing Began Day After I Complained May 18, 2013
  Earlier this week, welterweight titleholder Paulie Malignaggi had spoken of how he had wanted his June 22 fight with lightweight beltholder Adrien Broner to have drug testing done by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association, only to be told that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency would be doing the testing instead.
• States Expand Welfare Drug Testing May 18, 2013
  Governor Sam Brownback signed a law last month that requires drug screening for Kansas recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families .
• Peter Wrenn suspended at Hoosier Park May 18, 2013
  Peter Wrenn, a winner of multiple driving titles at Hoosier Park, has been suspended indefinitely by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission after failing a human drug test.
• Quake rebuild workers test positive for drugs May 17, 2013
  The seven are among 16 workers who have had their accreditation cancelled by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority over drugs since the demolitions and rebuilds began.
• Prosecutor: Goodman has motivation to flee May 17, 2013
  John Goodman is staying put on house arrest in his luxurious Wellington estate as a judge considers the polo executive's request for freedom over strong objections from prosecutors Friday.
• Cops Couldn't Convince Her May 17, 2013
  A Wainscott woman who refused to be searched at East Hampton Town police headquarters following a car crash Sunday afternoon stripped off all her clothes in protest, according to the arrest report.
• Illegal drug use by AFL players May 17, 2013
  The number of AFL player who've tested positive to illicit drugs has increased more than fourfold in 12 months according to a report released by the league.
• Bourbonnais woman couldn't sneak clean urine into her drug test May 17, 2013
  A 30-year-old Bourbonnais woman was arrested Wednesday for using a body orifice to sneak clean urine into drug test.
• Gov assigns directors' group to tackle drug problem May 17, 2013
  Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has acknowledged that there is a drug problem in the territory and has convened a group of his directors to tackle the problem.
• DWTS Celeb Aly Raisman Takes 11th Hour 'Random' Drug Test May 16, 2013
  Olympic gymnast Alexandra "Aly" Raisman could not believe it when the World Anti-Doping Agency showed up to collect a urine sample during finale week on 'Dancing with the Stars.' She had little choice in the matter because a denial would have automatically made her ineligible for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio.
• East St. Louis fires veteran firefighter for disobeying order to take drug test May 16, 2013
  Louis firefighter who was charged in Texas with drug possession has been terminated by the East St.
• Courthouse records May 16, 2013
  Felix Maldonado, 20, 1 Veterans Ave., Worcester, was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 2-1/2 years in the House of Correction after pleading guilty to attempting to commit a crime and possession of burglary tools.
• School drug policy considered May 16, 2013
  Marion/Florence school board members questioned the value of continuing middle school and high school drug testing, especially for nicotine.
• Frenchman Sylvain Georges fails drug test at Giro d'Italia May 16, 2013
  French rider Sylvain Georges has tested positive for a "specified substance" during the Giro d'Italia, according to cycling's world governing body, the UCI.
• Positive drug tests on the rise May 16, 2013
  The AFL Players' Association has made concessions in its voluntary illicit-drug test agreement with the AFL as a result of the proportion of failed tests more than tripling last year.

Drug Trends in The Criminal Justice Market

Drug use among Norchem’s sampling population has slowly increased over the past five years. Out of all urine samples tested for drugs of abuse, the samples positive for at least one drug increased from 17.4% in 2007 to 20% in 2011.
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Drug Testing Myths “Busted”

The Norchem newsletters of busted drug testing myths has been consolidated for your convenience.

Sentences put on hold over Massachusetts. drug lab scandal
Scandal at a state drub lab puts thousands of criminal cases in jeopardy
AP October 15, 2012

Bath salts to blame for face-eating ‘zombie’ attack in Miami?
The man who chewed the face off a homeless man before being shot to death by police might have been under the influence of bath salts , according to reports from CNN affiliates in Miami.
CNN – May 31, 2012

Maine Strained By Use Of Cocaine-Like ‘Bath Salts’
States across the country continue to fight the spread of a dangerous new drug: bath salts.
NPR – October 18, 2011

Fighting the scourge of ‘pill mills’
According to the Centers for Disease Control, one American dies of a drug overdose every 14 minutes … with a rapidly increasing share of those deaths caused by prescription drugs. It’s the sort of statistic law enforcement officials in one Florida county know about all too well.
CBS Sunday Morning – October 16, 2011