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From: Dr. Steve
Date: 04 Nov 2005
Time: 07:28:39 -0800
Remote Name: 12.10.202.94
Questions and answers:
1) Is this proportion consistent with methamphetamine use?
The test results show use of substances which test positive for methamphetamine and/or methamphetamine and amphetamine. Handling his son's Adderall prescription is NOT an explanation of his findings.
2) Can the quantity of drug ingested be inferred?
Not really in my opinion, but as I stated above, the handling of his son's Adderall is NOT the reason he tested positive, and I can also say that passive exposure also is not the reason he tested positive. From the levels mentioned, I MIGHT infer the use of his son's Adderall, but I cannot say with any certainty.
3) Does the result reasonably suggest exposure to two drugs?
Not really. Methamphetamine turns into amphetamine in the body, but not the other way around - amphetamine does NOT turn into methamphetamine. A positive test for both methamphetamine and amphetamine can be explained either by the use of simply methamphetamine OR the use of methamphetamine and amphetamine. However there is no pathway from amphetamine to methamphetamine, the findings are NOT explained by merely the use of amphetamine. Adderall contains amphetamine salts. If one used Adderall, they would simply test positive to amphetamine, and not methamphetamine. So the test results show the use of either methamphetamine OR methamphetamine and amphetamine.
4) Can hand-to-hair contact cause amphetamine absorption?
No. And as stated above, the use of Adderall would NOT explain the positive test for methamphetamine.
5) Any other possible explanations?
You mentioned that he claimed he used a Vicks Inhaler. A Vicks inhaler contains l-methamphetamine, and someone who uses Vicks Inhaler can test positive for methamphetamine. Several hair testing labs have the ability of testing for d-methamphetamine and l-methamphetamine. If there is 80% or more of l-methamphetamine in the sample, then the test results can be explained by the use of a Vicks inhaler. If however there are more than 20% of d-methamphetamine, these results suggest some other source of the methamphetamine, and not a Vicks inhaler. I would suggest that the sample undergo this additional test.
You also stated that the lab did not wash the samples. It is my understanding that it is standard in all labs that perform hair testing, that before the sample is tested, that the sample is washed. I am not sure how relevant this is here in this particular situation, but you might want to check with the hair testing lab.