Nailing the truth: The role of nail drug and alcohol testing for legal matters

While hair testing remains a well-established method for detecting substance misuse, nail testing is a powerful alternative or complement to other forms of drug or alcohol testing. As legal professionals know, having the right evidence at the right time can make all the difference. So, what makes nail testing such a compelling option in legal […]

Addicted to relief: the hidden dangers of prescription drugs

Ireland has witnessed a concerning rise in the misuse of prescription medications in recent years, with more people becoming dependent on drugs that were originally intended to aid their recovery. While substances such as opioids and benzodiazepines are prescribed to manage pain, anxiety, and other legitimate health concerns, their potential for dependency and misuse has […]

The role of repeat drug testing in Family Court

The welfare and safety of children is a top priority during Family Court proceedings, especially where there are concerns surrounding a parent or guardian’s substance misuse. In these circumstances, drug testing plays a critical role in assessing parent/guardian fitness, allowing authorities to make informed decisions about custody, contact arrangements, and safeguarding measures. While a single […]

Mind the gap – when a hair drug test is not enough

Drug testing plays a crucial role in safeguarding children and informing court decisions. Whether used in private law cases – such as custody disputes – or during child protection proceedings, reliable drug testing can help establish patterns of substance use, monitor abstinence, and support safeguarding measures. Legal professionals and social workers often rely on ‘wide-window’ […]

Narrow-window drug tests – which test is best for child welfare matters?

In child welfare and protection cases, drug testing plays a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable children, with social workers and local authorities relying on drug testing to inform care decisions. Two of the most used drug testing methods for such cases are oral fluid (saliva) testing and urine drug testing. While both tests have their […]

Understanding hair drug test reports – a comprehensive guide

Hair drug testing – also known as hair strand or hair follicle testing – is an extremely valuable tool for legal professionals, social workers and local authorities working on child welfare and protection cases, and is widely used for determining patterns of drug use. However, interpreting a hair drug test report requires more than simply […]

The many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for legal matters

For legal professionals, social workers and local authorities handling child welfare and custody arrangements, accurate, reliable and cost-effective drug testing is essential. While hair and nail testing provide valuable insights into historic drug use, they cannot be used to detect very recent consumption. This makes oral fluid drug testing the ideal solution where timely decisions […]

Health Research Board reports rise in alcohol treatment cases and poly drug use

A new report published by the Health Research Board (HRB) found a significant increase in the number of alcohol treatment cases across Ireland in 2023. Throughout 2023, 8,163 people sought treatment for problem alcohol use, marking a 10% increase on the previous year, and the highest annual total in a decade. Among first-time treatment seekers, […]

The rise of illegal steroids and the dangers of steroid misuse

Anabolic steroids were among the most significant categories of counterfeit or illegal medicines seized by authorities in Ireland in 2023, according to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). The drugs accounted for 29% of almost 900,000 illegal products detained, alongside sedatives (34%), erectile dysfunction medicines (10%), painkillers (5%), and stimulants (3%). The seizure of large […]