The Government Laboratory has developed a drug-testing method using hair samples that will be used to conduct a small-scale pilot scheme, possibly next year.

The laboratory's Acting Senior Chemist Dr Wong Wing-cheong briefed the Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong on the new technology today.

Each test using the new method will need up to 100mg of hair, or 20 to 60 pieces of hair 4cm long, and will take eight hours to check whether the tested person has taken drugs in recent months.

The method is considered faster, more accurate, safer and less offensive to the tested person. The sample storage is also easier.

Delicate detection: Government Laboratory Acting Senior Chemist Dr Wong Wing-cheong briefs Commissioner for Narcotics Sally Wong on new hair drug-testing technology. Ms Wong is also shown confirmatory test procedures in the Tai Po school drug-testing trial.

ISO standard

Speaking to the media after the briefing, Ms Wong said the laboratory's technology has been recognised by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service under the Innovative Technology Commission and meets the ISO17025 standard.

"I am glad to know the Government Laboratory's research and development of hair drug testing work has started to yield results. The Government is gearing up for the preparatory work, hoping a pilot service can be introduced next year," she said.

"The related technologies will be transferred to the industry, so hair testing services can be developed locally."

The laboratory will organise talks and workshops to share the technology with the industry with a view to enhancing testing abilities and obtain accreditation.

During the first 11 months this year, the laboratory dealt with 6,800 drug cases and examined 17,000 drug samples, mainly ketamine, heroin, cocaine, 'ice', cannabis and ecstasy.

Protecting privacy

Ms Wong was also briefed on the measures to protect the privacy of students participating in the school drug testing trial scheme.

"Each urine sample submitted by the student drug testing team to the Government Laboratory only carries a code for the student," she said.

"The laboratory does not have any information that can identify an individual. The entire handling procedure, including the collection, storage, and disposal of samples, is very strict, appropriate and clearly documented."