The Intersection of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and the Law

This presentation will give attorneys a clear, practical overview of common drug classes including opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants,
cannabinoids, and synthetic drugs with a focus on their effects, patterns of use, and relevance in dependency cases. We will explain how these
substances are detected through urine, blood, and hair testing, and what each type of test reveals:

• Urine: Common for recent use; widely used in court and treatment monitoring.
• Blood: Indicates current use or impairment; most reflective of intoxication.
• Hair: Shows long-term or chronic exposure, often going back months.
• 
  Importantly, we’ll break down what positive and negative results truly mean, addressing critical issues like:
• The need for confirmatory testing (e.g., GC-MS/LC-MS),
• False positives,
• Passive exposure, and
• Individual metabolic variability.
• 
  We’ll also use case examples to highlight how drug test results can be misinterpreted and how to challenge overly simplistic conclusions in
  court. By the end, attendees will be better equipped to interpret toxicology reports, question flawed testing procedures, and advocate
  effectively for their clients.