DRUG-TEST PATCH OUT FOR CHILD WELFARE CASES

MARTINEZ -- A patch used to test parents for drugs in child welfare cases is
being dropped by Contra Costa County because it produced too many false
positive readings and cost too much.

The adhesive patch, which detects drugs in the wearer's sweat, may still be
used occasionally. But beginning Thursday, urinalysis will be the method of
choice, said Danna Fabella, the county's director of children and family
services.

Urinalysis is about half the cost of the PharmChek patch and will also help
quiet critics who complain the patch frequently gave false readings, which
impacts child custody cases.

Compiled from staff and wire reports by Staff Writer Sal Pizarro.