A urine test presently based on thin-layer chromatography screening and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) confirmation has been a practical way of detecting
methaqualone use in individuals. A more practical test is the radioimmuno assay for screening and GLC for confirmation. It appears that the
drug methaqualone can be easily detected in the urine up to 72 hr after the last dosage. Individuals evaluated after being identified through the urine testing procedure readily admit to the use of
illegal drugs and are most cooperative in giving
drug abuse data, whether it is
Mandrax, hashish, herion, or alcohol. The majority evaluated in this study were not in any program for
drug abuse although all but one admitted to frequent
drug abuse. The finding has been generally true of the other urinalysis test for drugs of abuse as the majority of the soldiers in the rehabilitation program have been identified by urinalysis over the past year. Because of the uncertainty of surveys on how prevalent was
Mandrax use (anywhere from 5 to 90%, depending on who was consulted), a random selection of urines was done in September/November 1973. A total of 7,545 urine samples were tested those 2 months and the results were 2.9 and 3.9% positive respectively. Since that time and through June 1974 approximately 250 urine samples a week were tested for
Mandrax based on a special request by the commander who suspected an individual of abusing
Mandrax, and approximately 20 to 30% of the samples were positive. During June and July all randomly collected urines were tested and the results on a daily basis were from 1.5 to 3.5%. Since July 1974 no urines have been collected or tested. The follow-up indicates that of this number practically all are clinically confirmed as drug abusers and are entered into the Army's
Drug Rehabilitation Program.