JUSTICE PROGRAMS OFFICE
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (BJA) DRUG COURT
CLEARINGHOUSE/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug
Testing Used by Drug Courts
Subject:
Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts
From:
Date:
BJA Drug Court Clearinghouse/Technical Assistance Project
March 29, 2015 (rev.).
During the past year, we have received several inquiries regarding (a) the types of systems and/or
software used by drug court to implement random drug testing processes; and (b) methods used to
provide for weekend and holiday testing. The focus of these inquiries is below:
QUESTIONS
Does anyone have software that they would recommend or could provide to assist in the facilitation of
randomized testing?
I need some guidance on how to obtain as ” random” as possible screens for drug/alcohol use, especially
in a very rural area, and any thoughts on how to have participants screened on weekends and holidays?
Seventeen responses to this inquiry were received from respondents in programs across thirteen
states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin. Some respondents
reported using outside agencies to provide random drug testing for their participants. Others,
however, reported that a color call system is used, which assigns participants a color and requires
regular call-ins by the participant to check whether their “color” is to be tested that day.
In Colorado, the state has contracted with an agency, Norchem, that provides an automated
system for random drug tests, and also a web-based system for managing and reporting the test
results. Respondents from Colorado also reported having flexibility scheduling participants for
drug tests. However, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Colorado reported using a color call system
operated by another vendor, Novx Systems.
In Florida’s 20th Judicial District, for the clients that are under pretrial supervision and required to
have random screens, the defendants are referred to an outside agency from a list that is provided
for the defendant.
RESPONSES
COLORADO
Hon. Chantel Cloud
Chief Judge
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Ignacio, CO
[email protected]
We use Novx Systems. There is a website one can check out that provide more detail. Maintaining the
system costs a few thousand dollars a year to maintain, including the reagents used for testing. Fortunately
at this time we have grant funding that helps pay for the testing. We do not do alcohol testing through this
system however.
Michael G. Fischer
Chief Probation Officer
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Ignacio, CO
[email protected]
We don’t have software but we use a color line call in system. A color is assigned to each client. They call
in daily and if their color comes up, they go to the agency and provide a urine sample or do a breath test.
Doug Hanshaw
Problem Solving Court Coordinator
Colorado 7th Judicial District
Montrose, CO
[email protected]
The State of Colorado uses NorChem’s Sentry system. I am not sure if it is limited to probation or if other
departments use it. From my limited experience it offers wide
flexibility, the power to create secret “holidays” when drug testing personnel are not available, and to add a
% probability to every day’s chance of testing, i.e., I can have someone test once a week plus a 20% chance
so they actually test about five or six times a month. It also shows when someone calls in and from what
number, a handy feature for probation officers.
Jessica Peterson
Drug Court Coordinator
Denver Adult Drug Court
Denver, CO
[email protected]
The state of Colorado has contracted with Norchem to provide us with an automated system for
randomized drug tests and a web-based system for managing and reporting the information. This is the
website, http://www.norchemlab.com/case-management/sentry/
FLORIDA
Ervin Gill
Administrative Service Supervisor/Case Management
20th Judicial District
Lee County, FL
[email protected]
We have approximately 375-400 defendants under pretrial supervision, about 150 of those defendants are
required to have random screens. Unless there is some special circumstance we do not conduct the random
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screens ourselves because we do not charge a fee. Defendants are referred to an outside agency(that they
choose from our provider list) who in turn will call the defendant to report for the screen. If the defendant
fails to report for the required screen, their officer is notified of the violation. Officers will then proceed
accordingly. According to our officers, the majority of our defendants are reporting as required and there is
only a small percentage of violations.
Currently, we do not use software to randomize drug testing. Our defendants are referred to outside
agencies that complete this process as well as the random drug screens for us. Our outside agencies will
usually use one of two methods. They will either use a color system or they will simply call the defendants
themselves to report for the random screen.
The color system requires the defendant to call in. If their color is indicated, they are usually required to
report for the screen within 24 hours. However, most of our agencies actually call the defendant and they
are given 24 hours to report.
Michele Mumaw
Manager
Day Reporting and Reentry Division
Department of Community Programs
Fort Lauderdale, FL
[email protected]
We use a color system. Clients are assigned a color at intake. They are required to call our designated drug
test hotline each Monday to see if their color is called for that week (we change the message at the end of
the week to indicate the color for the following week based on a color schedule we have for the year). If
their color is called they must test for that week.
GEORGIA
Amy M. Michaud
Baldwin County ATCC, Project Director
Staff Attorney, Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit
P.O. Box 1050
Milledgeville, GA 31059
Tel:
(478) 445-2765 Fax: (478) 445-2622
[email protected]
[Re: “call2test system”]
We use it and love it! Very user friendly and has actually been cost effective for us in doing more accurate
screenings.
Jackie Roberts
Coordinator
Habersham County Drug Court
295 Lewellyn Street Suite 110
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-839-0345
[email protected]
Our program requires a participant to call in each day between 7:45 am and 8:00 am. They will hear a
message that tells them if they must report for a screen. After the beep they must leave their full name.
Failure to call results in a sanction. They have 2 hours to report if instructed and provide a urine specimen
and also sensor. Failure to report will result in a sanction. They never know what the message will say until
they call and we account for them calling in by the voice mail. It works great 7 days a week.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts..
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
INDIANA
Christopher T. Lanane
Coordinator
Madison County Problem Solving Courts
Madison County, IN
[email protected]
Currently we are using the “old cards out of hat method”. However, we are looking at an interesting
system from Norchem (800-348-4422) called Sentry. Please keep me informed as to what your search
unearths.
MARYLAND
Pete Cucinotta
Program Manager & Coordinator
St. Mary's Co.
Juvenile Drug & Adult Recovery Court
Tel: 301 475- 7844 X4162 Fax (301) 475-4113
[email protected]
[Re: “call2test system”]:
We started using them [e.g., “call2test systesm”] 6 months ago. This is the first "professional" system we
have used. We had our own set up but wasn't a computer based, truly random system. So far it has
performed as advertised. I know there are other similar systems out there that can do the same thing, so
probably price is the deciding factor.
Lindsay Tayman
Drug Treatment Court Coordinator
Circuit Court for Wicomico County
Salisbury, MD
[email protected]
In November 2013, the Circuit Court for Wicomico County Adult Drug Court Program implemented use of
the Call2Test random drug screen call-in service. Information regarding the system can be obtained on the
company's website call2test.com. Our contact person is Rachel Frankenhouser, Director of Sales. Ms.
Frankenhouser can be reached by email: [email protected] or by telephone at 760-828-0057.
This system is entirely web-based and managed via the internet. We have found the system to be userfriendly and an asset to administration of random drug testing for our program participants. Please feel free
to contact me if you would like any further information regarding our experience with the system.
The cost of the system is $1.50 per month, per participant. We did receive a 60 day free trial to test the
system and determine if it would meet the needs of our program.
MINNESOTA
Amber Tisue
Drug Court Coordinator
Southwest Community Drug Court (LLR)
Redwood Falls, MN
[email protected]
We use a website called “testday lite.” I don’t know how it was created or who paid for it or how it would
work elsewhere. I do not know what other counties are using it (besides the ones directly close to me).
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BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
On this site, I individually set the drug testing schedule for each participant. For example, for participant A,
I decide the dates of when they should test, so to the participants it seems random-as I randomly select the
dates. There is an option to select the “random” option but from what I understand it groups your clients to
the same schedule versus having some test on these days and others test on other days.
MISSISSIPPI
Marcus D. Ellis, Jr.
Coordinator
Eighth Judicial District Drug Court
Post Office Box 279
Walnut Grove, MS 39189
601-253-2833
[email protected]
We have our participants call, on a daily basis, a dedicated telephone number, and at a specific time – after
4:30 PM. They will hear one of two options – we ARE or we ARE NOT testing. If we are testing, they
must come to the office between 5 and 8 PM that same day (or alternatively, between 10 and 12 the next
morning). Failure to appear is a positive screen, sanctionable by a weekend in jail.
We DO screen on weekends and holidays (you don’t have to do it frequently, as long as you do it. The
participant gets the message pretty quickly when they don’t appear because they failed to call and they go
to jail for a weekend. My female and male Probation Officers are charged with observation of the
screening. They are provided compensatory time for evenings and weekends.
We live in a very rural area – Central Mississippi, and there are no problems getting participants in for
testing – test or jail, your choice.
Feel free to give me a call if you want to discuss protocol specifics.
MISSOURI
Hon. Debra Hopkins
Associate Circuit Judge
27th Judicial Circuit
One North Delaware
Butler, MO
(660) 679-3311
[email protected]
We have a dedicated phone line. Every participant must call in every day between 6 and 8 am. If they hear
their color, they have to go to the Sheriff's office between 8 & 10 am and give a sample. If they fail to
report within that time frame, it is counted as a dirty and they get the appropriate sanction depending on
which miss it is. It is random by the colors selected by a computer program (unless there is someone we
are concerned about, then that person's color may be added to the list).
If we have someone who must report to work and cannot leave for a few minutes to do this (as in maybe
they work out of town) then we allow them to report before 5:30 am so as not to interfere with breakfast for
the prisoners.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts..
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
MONTANA
Mona L. Sumner, Principal
Addictions Consulting Group, LLC
2227 7th Street West
Billings, MT 59102
c: 406-690-5961
office: 406-252-8147
[email protected]
The best and easiest way is purchase a randomizer program...they are available and are not costly. This
way, the computer does the work
NORTH DAKOTA
Marilyn Moe
Program Manager
North Dakota Supreme Court
600 E Blvd Ave., Dept. 180
Bismarck, ND 58505
Tel: 701-328-2198
[email protected]
In the juvenile drug courts in North Dakota, we use the MEMS machines for alcohol testing when the client
lives in the country. We have actually hired case aides to do drug testing for us who show up right at the
house. Juveniles do not always have a driver’s license or the parents are working and not able to get them
there. In the adult courts, they are called to come in or the probation officer does a drug or alcohol screen.
They all go on a random basis which we describe as “unscheduled” and not a perceived pattern.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Tracie Bodford
Buncombe County Drug Treatment Court Coordinator
60 Court Plaza, 9th floor
Asheville NC 28801
Tel: (828) 250-649; Fax (828) 259-3417
[email protected]
Hello all, just wondering if any of you are familiar with the call2test system? We’re trying to figure out a
way to make our screening more random. Thanks!
[Response: -- See Also “Maryland” above]
Pete Cucinotta
Program Manager & Coordinator
St. Mary's Co.
Juvenile Drug & Adult Recovery Court
Tel: 301 475- 7844 X4162 Fax (301) 475-4113
[email protected]
Yes we started using them 6 months ago. This is the first "professional" system we have used. We had our
own set up but wasn't a computer based, truly random system. So far it has performed as advertised. I know
there are other similar systems out there that can do the same thing, so probably price is the deciding factor.
Amy M. Michaud
Baldwin County ATCC, Project Director
Staff Attorney, Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit
P.O. Box 1050
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts..
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
Milledgeville, GA 31059
Tel:
(478) 445-2765 Fax: (478) 445-2622
Email: [email protected]
[Re: “call2test system”]
We use it and love it! Very user friendly and has actually been cost effective for us in doing more accurate
screenings.
WASHINGTON
Nancy L. Barnes
Supervision Officer
Okanogan Co. Therapeutic Courts Community
Omak, WA
[email protected]
We use a web site called RANDOM.ORG…and put in 1-30 (31) depending on how many days in the
month. And click and whatever number it gives me I put a color on that day.
For example…our color Purple is 4x a month I would click the button 4x and whatever number it gives me
I would put purple on those four days IE: “click” = 2 , I would put purple on the 2 nd of that month, “click”
=23 I would put purple on the 23rd of that month and so on.
Andra Motyka
Administrator
Pierce County Superior Court
Tacoma, WA
[email protected]
Pierce County’s treatment provider (Pierce County Alliance) uses a randomized color call in system.
Specifically, they have a separate telephone line which all clients are directed to call every business day.
When answered, a message states the colors for that day, red, green, etc., and if that color has been
assigned to the caller they must come in to leave a UA that day. People may be assigned one or more
colors. A color calendar is set weeks in advance but known only to the UA department director, or one
other person, at his direction or absence. The colors of the day are set by 6:30 am each day, never multiple
days in advance. They have used this system for many, many years.
Adam Pithan
Drug Court Programs Manager
Cowlitz County Superior Court
Longview, WA
[email protected]
We use a call in system. Each morning our clients are required to call the color line. If their designated
color is called they are to report to their treatment provider within a specific time frame.
I don’t really know any specifics about the program, I think our IT set it up years ago. I did just hear about
a new program that can be set from the computer that can be much more specific to each individual in the
program. If I hear any more about it I will forward the information.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts..
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
WISCONSIN
Bobbie Bleskey
Drug Court Case Manager
PO Box 508
Wautoma WI 54982-0508
Tel:
920-787-0428; Fax: 920-787-0481
[email protected]
Our county asked for the assistance from our local police station to assist with drug testing over the
weekends and holidays. We provide them with the testing supplies (cups, paperwork, etc.) and on Monday
they are picked up and sent to the lab. So far this has worked out well. We also have a computerized
program that randomly selects colors daily to be tested. Hope this is helpful.
We welcome any additional information and/or perspective readers may have on this topic.
BJA Drug Court Clearinghouse/Technical Assistance Project
Justice Programs Office, School of Public Affairs
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Brandywine, Suite 100
Washington D.C. 20016-8159
Tel: 202/885-2875Fax: 202/885-2885
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.american.edu/spa/jpo
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Systems and Software for Random Drug Testing Used by Drug Courts..
BJA Drug Court Technical Assistance Project. American University. (March 29, 2015 Rev.).DRAFT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS SERIES: Information Inquiry on Systems for Random Drug Testing Used by
Courts. BJA Drug Court Clearinghouse. American University. (March 20, 2015).
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