The option of detecting drugs through the use of saliva has many distinct advantages. The most obvious advantage is that the collection process is easier and less intrusive when compared to urine or blood. Collection of the saliva is directly observed, making adulteration difficult.
Oral fluid is well suited for pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and post-accident testing. Many of the most commonly abused drugs can be detected in saliva including THC, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and methamphetamines. Saliva cannot be used to detect historical drug use.
Urine drug testing cannot accurately detect drug usage in the first four hours after use, so this makes saliva superior for post-accident testing. Drug users have found many ways to “beat” a urine test; however, saliva testing is administered under close supervision so the likelihood of beating a test is minimal. Oral fluid samples for cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamines are more sensitive than that of instant urine tests.