NMS Labs launches highly comprehensive "bath salts" and designer stimulants testing to mirror designer drug trends on the street

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NMS Labs announced a breakthrough test in the ongoing race to keep ahead of the designer drug threat. The test makes it possible for death investigators, law enforcement, clinicians, and emergency room physicians to detect and diagnose intoxication caused by the ever expanding range of potentially deadly drugs present in “bath salts” products. The announcement comes on the heels of the Company’s recent release of expanded testing for synthetic cannabinoid also known as “K2”, “Spice” or “fake marijuana.”

“Our strategy allows us to update the scope of these tests regularly as we identify their presence on the streets. We can also develop or expand the scope on very short notice based on investigational information or a clients concern about an emerging compound”

“With this release we have established a platform that puts us ahead of the curve in anticipating user trends” said Dr. Barry Logan, NMS Labs National Director of Forensic and Toxicological Services. The company is offering two new tests that between them will test for 67 of the latest stimulant and hallucinogenic drugs, including tryptamines, indoles, phenethylamines, and cathinones, as well as the traditional drugs in this class such as LSD, Ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamines.

Following the recent crackdown on synthetic cannabinoids, the illicit designer stimulant market is now growing faster than ever with new compounds appearing every week. For laboratories, these represent a big challenge due the multiple classes they represent and the similarity of compounds within each class. The toxicity of these compounds has not been previously assessed on humans.

Logan described the Company’s approach to the issue which involves monitoring drug intelligence, forensic toxicology and controlled substance casework, and international collaboration. “Our strategy allows us to update the scope of these tests regularly as we identify their presence on the streets. We can also develop or expand the scope on very short notice based on investigational information or a clients concern about an emerging compound,” he explained.

This exciting news was announced at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Section’s 18^th Annual Training Conference that is occurring in Seattle. NMS Labs is already working on identifying the next update to the test which should be released later this year.

About NMS Labs:

NMS Labs, is the nation’s premier independent clinical toxicology and diagnostic laboratory, backed by a comprehensive list of accreditations and a team of more than 200 scientific staff. A national reference laboratory, it offers more than 2,500 assays that test for commonly abused and therapeutic drugs, environmental agents, metals, and more. For more information on NMS Labs, please visit www.nmslabs.com.