Michigan State Police has announced its expanded Oral Fluid Roadside Analysis Pilot Program will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and includes participation from drug recognition experts (DREs) in every Michigan county. This reaches beyond MSP’s initial one-year Oral Fluid Roadside Analysis Pilot program, which was conducted in five counties – Berrien, Delta, Kent, St. Clair … Continue reading
Pictured (left-right) during the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s execWE forum “Transforming Disruptive Innovation into a Competitive Advantage” on Aug. 7 at the Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek are: Bridget Lorenz Lemberg, Forensic Fluids Laboratories Founder and Lab Director; Emily Likens, President and CEO of Knappen Milling Company; Jaime McAlear, Senior Leader at Bluewater Technologies … Continue reading
NBOMe: “What are NBOMes?” NBOMe is a phenethylamine, also known as a psychedelic drug. These compounds are considered designer drugs because they have been created in laboratories. NBOMes were discovered in Germany in 2003, and became available on the recreational drug markets in 2010. They are commonly sold on blotter paper and have often been … Continue reading
What is Fentanyl? Why are people dying from it? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but far more powerful. It was developed to be used in anesthesia, pain management, and for breakthrough cancer pain. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, and 100 times more potent than morphine; making it an extremely … Continue reading
Data Supports Findings Forensic Fluids Laboratories (FFL) has collected extensive data regarding drug prevalence in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana through testing with their state-of-the-art technology. Analysis of this data demonstrates the most frequently detected drugs in each area. The lab predominantly offers drug testing for Child Protective Services, county specialty courts, and employer pre-screenings. Through … Continue reading
On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters said “yes” to the legalization of recreational marijuana. With over 4.3 million voters reporting to the polls, 56 percent voted in favor of the 18-1 proposal. Now, on December 6, marijuana will be legalized to adults over the age of 21. The new law states adults who are of … Continue reading
Adderall is commonly prescribed to patients to treat the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine salts. It acts as a central nervous system stimulant for chemicals in the brain. While Adderall helps many patients overcome their illnesses, improper use of this drug has been increasing in young … Continue reading
Heroin on the Rise Healthcare professionals prescribe opiates for acute or chronic pain relief post-surgery or after an accident. People who become addicted to opiates cannot keep up with the cost of their addiction over time and turn to lower cost drugs like heroin. As more people seek heroin to feed their addiction, deaths from … Continue reading
One common myth relating to oral fluid drug testing is that exposure to second hand marijuana smoke can cause a positive test result for THC. Many people believe that the recent rise in cannabis potency makes it more likely for false positives to occur. That is not the case. Passive exposure Second hand smoke, or … Continue reading
What is 6-MAM? 6-MAM refers to 6-Monoacetylmorphine. When someone uses heroin, the drug is converted into the active metabolite 6-MAM and the less active 3-MAM. A test that is positive for 6-MAM can only mean that the person has used heroin. Does no 6-MAM mean no heroin use? Shortly after heroin use, 6-MAM is either … Continue reading
What is Kratom? Kratom (mitragynaspeciosa) is similar to opiates like morphine. The crushed leaves are usually sold in a powdered form that looks similar to finely ground green tea. The Kratom is usually mixed with a liquid and consumed as tea. It is used recreationally to experience an opiate-like high, and to manage pain. The … Continue reading
What is Flakka? Flakka, also called “gravel”, is a dangerous synthetic cathinone drug called α-PVP or alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone. It is similar to other synthetic stimulants which have been popularized as “bath salts”. Flakka comes in either a crystal or powder form and can be eaten, snorted, injected, smoked, or vaporized. Where are people using it? Flakka use has been spreading … Continue reading