If you are a parent going through Care Proceedings, drug testing might be something that the Court asks you to do. One newer test you might hear about is called Patch Testing. It is important to understand how it works, what exactly the results may show, and how these results can be affected.
Patch Testing involves wearing a small adhesive patch on your skin for several days. This patch is usually placed on your upper arm but may be placed on your lower back or other area of smooth skin. This patch collects sweat and skin secretions which are then tested for drug metabolites. Drug metabolites are substances your body produces after processing drugs. For example, when you take a drug, your body breaks it down into metabolites, which can be detected in your sweat, urine, blood or hair. Patch Testing can feel more private and less invasive for parents, making it a less stressful option.
While wearing the patch, you need to treat it carefully but can still go about your everyday activities such as showering, bathing, swimming and exercising. After the collection period, which can be up to ten days, the patch is removed and checked for signs of tampering. One key advantage to patch testing is that it provides a longer detection window compared to urine tests, which typically only show recent drug use (usually within the last one to three days). Since the patch is worn continuously for up to ten days it can give a clearer picture of drug use over a longer period of time, making it more reliable in that regard.
However, Patch Testing isn’t without its drawbacks. It can only provide a snapshot of drug use over the period the patch was worn. If you used drugs multiple times over the period of wearing the patch, the results cannot distinguish between separate instances of use, it will just give a positive or negative result for the entire period tested. So, whilst it is useful for showing recent drug use, it cannot give detailed information about when or how the drugs were used, or the amount ingested.
It is also important to note that activities like exercise, heat, or excessive sweating can sometimes cause drugs like cannabis to show up in sweat even if you haven’t used them recently. This can lead to confusion as a patch test might detect traces of a drug days after you’ve stopped using it, particularly if you have been active or in a hot environment.
Patch Testing is a relatively new method for the Courts to consider, although the technology behind it has been around since the 1970’s and it has been used in the United States criminal justice system for decades. As a new tool for the Family Courts to consider, Judges may be cautious about relying on it until more research is done on its effectiveness.
If you are asked to undergo Patch Testing, it is important to fully understand what it involves, how the testing works and what the results could mean. If you have used drugs, it is better to be honest about it and get the support you need to make positive change. The goal is always the safety and wellbeing of your child.
If you have been asked to take part in drug testing during Care Proceedings, please get in touch with Johnson Astills to see how we can assist. Please call us at our office in Leicester on 0116 255 4855 or our office in Loughborough on 01509 610 312 and ask to speak to a member of the Care Team. Alternatively, you may prefer to email us at legal@johnsonastills.com or fill in our enquiry form.
