Drug and Alcohol Testing

• As a general rule, testing for the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in the system of a sexual assault patient is not suggested or required unless medically indicated.
• Examiners should be aware of the possible use of “date rape drugs” in sexual assaults. If a sexual assault patient states that s/he is unable to recall time/events related to the assault, consideration should be given to the appropriateness of testing for such drugs.

Click here for more information about drug facilitated sexual assault, deciding when/whether to test for drugs, and consent for toxicology screening.