Standard 7: Drug and Alcohol Testing
March 4, 2025 | 12:30 PM–2:00 PM EST
Presenter: Garry Metcalfe
Since the first edition of the Adult Treatment Court Best Practice Standards was released more than a decade ago, the science and practice of drug and alcohol testing have changed. Effective drug testing is essential to program and participant success. This presentation will be a comprehensive review of best practices, including the basics of the newest science. The presenter will share the latest facts, address frequently asked questions from the field, and provide updated content related to clinical and forensic testing and trauma-responsive testing for illicit substances
Garry Metcalfe has worked in the field of toxicology for over 16 years. He began his career working on postmortem toxicology cases with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Oklahoma. He spent his time at the medical examiner’s office testing a variety of specimens, like blood, liver urine, gastric contents, bile, and vitreous humor. After 12 years there he transitioned to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations (OSBI). Here his focus switched to antimortem toxicology. He tested mostly blood and urine for the presence of drugs in suspected DUI cases and has been deemed an expert witness in the State of Oklahoma. While at OSBI, he took over the administration of the Forensic Science Academy. This program was designed by OSBI to provide judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys a better understanding of the tests performed at the bureau. Mr. Metcalfe is a board member and past president of the Southwestern Association of Forensic Toxicology. He has also attended the Borkenstein Drug Course, the DEA Forensic Chemist Seminar, and the Midwest Forensic Resource Training Program.