Columbia, IL Facts, Population, Income, Demographics, Economy

Population (total): Population in 2017: 10,274 (97% urban, 3% rural).

Median Rent: Median gross rent in 2017: $830.

Cost of Living: March 2019 cost of living index in Columbia: 87.8 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Sex Offenders: According to our research of Illinois and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Columbia, Illinois as of January 16, 2021. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Columbia is 10,153 to 1.The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is much lo

Elevation: 500 feet

Goldribbon

Recognitions and Certifications

Accredited Drug Testing has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 drug testing companies" for excellent customer service and we have received TPA Accreditation from the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association. We are active in all drug testing industry associations and our staff are trained and certified as drug and alcohol testing specialists.

Important Links

National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (https://ndasa.com/)

National Drug Free Workplace Alliance (https://www.ndwa.org/)

Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (https://www.sapaa.com/)

Substance Abuse Mental Health Safety Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov/)

US Drug Enforcement Administration (https://www.dea.gov/)

Office of Drug alcohol Policy Control (https://www.transportation.gov/odapc)

Drug Testing1 1 300x60

Drug & Alcohol Testing Centers, Columbia, IL

Accredited Drug Testing Inc, is the nation's leading provider of drug, alcohol, occupational health, and DNA testing and has testing centers in Columbia, IL and throughout the local area. Testing centers are within minutes of your home or office and same day service is available in most cases.

7706 WAGNER RD 4.9 miles

7706 WAGNER RD
MILLSTADT, IL 62260
Categories: MILLSTADT IL

509 HAMACHER, STE 200B 7.7 miles

509 HAMACHER, STE 200B
WATERLOO, IL 62298
Categories: WATERLOO IL

509 Hamacher St Ste 201, 7.7 miles

509 Hamacher St Ste 201,
Waterloo, IL 62298
Categories: Waterloo IL

509 HAMACHER ST STE 103 7.7 miles

509 HAMACHER ST STE 103
WATERLOO, IL 62298
Categories: WATERLOO IL

2900 LEMAY FERRY RD STE 101 7.8 miles

2900 LEMAY FERRY RD STE 101
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63125
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

3619 RICHARDSON SQUARE DR 10.2 miles

3619 RICHARDSON SQUARE DR
ARNOLD, MO 63010
Categories: ARNOLD MO

3613 RICHARDSON SQUARE STE 300 10.3 miles

3613 RICHARDSON SQUARE STE 300
ARNOLD, MO 63010
Categories: ARNOLD MO

13303 TESSON FERRY RD 10.4 miles

13303 TESSON FERRY RD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63128
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

28 RONNIES PLZ 10.4 miles

28 RONNIES PLZ
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63126
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

9950 Kennerly Rd, 10.5 miles

9950 Kennerly Rd,
Saint Louis, MO 63128
Categories: Saint Louis MO

12345 W BEND DR 10.5 miles

12345 W BEND DR
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63128
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

10010 KENNERLY RD 10.5 miles

10010 KENNERLY RD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63128
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

8300 VALCOUR AVE 10.9 miles

8300 VALCOUR AVE
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63123
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

3030 Frank Scott Pkwy W Ste 5, 10.9 miles

3030 Frank Scott Pkwy W Ste 5,
Belleville, IL 62223
Categories: Belleville IL

120 KENRICK PLZ 11.6 miles

120 KENRICK PLZ
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63119
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

6555 CHIPPEWA ST STE 100 11.6 miles

6555 CHIPPEWA ST STE 100
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63109
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

4550 MEMORIAL DR STE 400 12.2 miles

4550 MEMORIAL DR STE 400
BELLEVILLE, IL 62226
Categories: BELLEVILLE IL

2348 HAMPTON AVE 12.7 miles

2348 HAMPTON AVE
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63139
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

2331 HAMPTON AVE 12.7 miles

2331 HAMPTON AVE
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63139
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

916 OLIVE STREET, UNIT 2 12.8 miles

916 OLIVE STREET, UNIT 2
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63101
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

8730 BIG BEND BLVD STE A 12.8 miles

8730 BIG BEND BLVD STE A
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63119
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

400 N TUCKER BLVD 12.9 miles

400 N TUCKER BLVD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63101
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

1720 OLIVE ST 12.9 miles

1720 OLIVE ST
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

3100 Market St 13.0 miles

3100 Market St
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63103
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

5000 MANCHESTER AVE 13.1 miles

5000 MANCHESTER AVE
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63110
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

6542 MANCHESTER AVE 13.2 miles

6542 MANCHESTER AVE
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63139
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

2321 MCCAUSLAND AVE STE B 13.3 miles

2321 MCCAUSLAND AVE STE B
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63143
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

10296 BIG BEND RD Ste 110 13.6 miles

10296 BIG BEND RD Ste 110
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63122
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

714 GRAVOIS RD Ste 100 14.0 miles

714 GRAVOIS RD Ste 100
FENTON, MO 63026
Categories: FENTON MO

40 N Kingshighway, 14.1 miles

40 N Kingshighway,
Saint Louis, MO 63108
Categories: Saint Louis MO

455 S KIRKWOOD RD 14.3 miles

455 S KIRKWOOD RD
KIRKWOOD, MO 63122
Categories: KIRKWOOD MO

642 Clayton Rd. 14.5 miles

642 Clayton Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63117
Categories: Saint Louis MO

9556 MANCHESTER RD 14.5 miles

9556 MANCHESTER RD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63119
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

508 OLD SMIZER MILL RD 14.6 miles

508 OLD SMIZER MILL RD
FENTON, MO 63026
Categories: FENTON MO

128 MATRIX COMMONS DR 15.1 miles

128 MATRIX COMMONS DR
FENTON, MO 63026
Categories: FENTON MO

5031 N Illinois 15.6 miles

5031 N Illinois
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Categories: Fairview Heights IL

102 N STATE ST 15.9 miles

102 N STATE ST
FREEBURG, IL 62243
Categories: FREEBURG IL

225 S MERAMEC AVE STE 305 15.9 miles

225 S MERAMEC AVE STE 305
CLAYTON, MO 63105
Categories: CLAYTON MO

317 SALEM PL 16.0 miles

317 SALEM PL
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL 62208
Categories: FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS IL

1207 THOUVENOT LANE, SUITE 400 16.5 miles

1207 THOUVENOT LANE, SUITE 400
SHILOH, IL 62269
Categories: SHILOH IL

1050 OLD DES PERES RD STE 100 17.5 miles

1050 OLD DES PERES RD STE 100
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63131
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

1000 Des Peres Road Suite 200 17.5 miles

1000 Des Peres Road Suite 200
St. Louis, MO 63131
Categories: St. Louis MO

2044 MADISON AVE Ste G-4 18.0 miles

2044 MADISON AVE Ste G-4
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

2044 MADISON AVE STE G1 18.0 miles

2044 MADISON AVE STE G1
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

2100 MADISON AVE 18.0 miles

2100 MADISON AVE
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

13610 BARRETT OFFICE DR STE 100 18.0 miles

13610 BARRETT OFFICE DR STE 100
MANCHESTER, MO 63021
Categories: MANCHESTER MO

8340 N BROADWAY 18.7 miles

8340 N BROADWAY
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63147
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

615 S NEW BALLAS RD 19.0 miles

615 S NEW BALLAS RD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63141
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

325 SPRING ST 19.6 miles

325 SPRING ST
RED BUD, IL 62278
Categories: RED BUD IL

3701 NAMEOKI RD STE E 20.1 miles

3701 NAMEOKI RD STE E
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

1439 US HIGHWAY 61 STE B 20.2 miles

1439 US HIGHWAY 61 STE B
FESTUS, MO 63028
Categories: FESTUS MO

1463 Highway 61 Ste 61, 20.2 miles

1463 Highway 61 Ste 61,
Festus, MO 63028
Categories: Festus MO

11550 OLIVE BLVD 20.2 miles

11550 OLIVE BLVD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63141
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

11700 STUDT AVE 20.3 miles

11700 STUDT AVE
CREVE COEUR, MO 63141
Categories: CREVE COEUR MO

747 N NEW BALLAS ROAD 20.4 miles

747 N NEW BALLAS ROAD
CREVE COEUR, MO 63141
Categories: CREVE COEUR MO

4700 NAMEOKI RD 21.2 miles

4700 NAMEOKI RD
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

119 CHURCH ST STE 223 21.5 miles

119 CHURCH ST STE 223
FERGUSON, MO 63135
Categories: FERGUSON MO

State Highway 76 & State Highway Lower Level Claybough Plaza Ma 21.6 miles

State Highway 76 & State Highway Lower Level Claybough Plaza Ma
Branson West, MO 65737
Categories: Branson West MO

1066 EXECUTIVE PARKWAY DR STE 200 21.7 miles

1066 EXECUTIVE PARKWAY DR STE 200
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63141
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

1868 CRAIGSHIRE RD 21.9 miles

1868 CRAIGSHIRE RD
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63146
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

3316 W CHAIN OF ROCKS RD STE 1 22.4 miles

3316 W CHAIN OF ROCKS RD STE 1
GRANITE CITY, IL 62040
Categories: GRANITE CITY IL

15620 MANCHESTER RD 22.6 miles

15620 MANCHESTER RD
ELLISVILLE, MO 63011
Categories: ELLISVILLE MO

83 PROGRESS PKWY 22.6 miles

83 PROGRESS PKWY
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO 63043
Categories: MARYLAND HEIGHTS MO

224 S WOODS MILL RD STE 360 S MED BLDG 22.9 miles

224 S WOODS MILL RD STE 360 S MED BLDG
CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017
Categories: CHESTERFIELD MO

15421 CLAYTON RD STE 301 22.9 miles

15421 CLAYTON RD STE 301
BALLWIN, MO 63011
Categories: BALLWIN MO

11501 PAGE SERVICE DR 22.9 miles

11501 PAGE SERVICE DR
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63146
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

2880 NETHERTON, STE 101 23.1 miles

2880 NETHERTON, STE 101
SAINT LOUIS, MO 63136
Categories: SAINT LOUIS MO

98 The Legends Pkwy Ste 108, 23.4 miles

98 The Legends Pkwy Ste 108,
Eureka, MO 63025
Categories: Eureka MO

233 CLARKSON RD 23.4 miles

233 CLARKSON RD
ELLISVILLE, MO 63011
Categories: ELLISVILLE MO

1400 US HIGHWAY 61 STE G50 23.5 miles

1400 US HIGHWAY 61 STE G50
FESTUS, MO 63028
Categories: FESTUS MO

1400 US HIGHWAY 61 STE G-60 23.5 miles

1400 US HIGHWAY 61 STE G-60
FESTUS, MO 63028
Categories: FESTUS MO

2023 VADALEBENE DR, SUITE 150 24.0 miles

2023 VADALEBENE DR, SUITE 150
MARYVILLE, IL 62062
Categories: MARYVILLE IL

623 W. 5TH STREET 24.1 miles

623 W. 5TH STREET
EUREKA, MO 63025
Categories: EUREKA MO

2136 Vadalabene Dr Ste A, 24.1 miles

2136 Vadalabene Dr Ste A,
Maryville, IL 62062
Categories: Maryville IL

10585 BUSINESS 21 24.2 miles

10585 BUSINESS 21
HILLSBORO, MO 63050
Categories: HILLSBORO MO

3446 MCKELVEY RD 24.4 miles

3446 MCKELVEY RD
BRIDGETON, MO 63044
Categories: BRIDGETON MO

16091 SWINGLEY RIDGE RD STE 150 24.7 miles

16091 SWINGLEY RIDGE RD STE 150
CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017
Categories: CHESTERFIELD MO

3440 DePaul Lane Ste. 208, 24.7 miles

3440 DePaul Lane Ste. 208,
Bridgeton, MO 63044
Categories: Bridgeton MO

10716 New Halls Ferry Rd, 24.8 miles

10716 New Halls Ferry Rd,
Florissant, MO 63033
Categories: Florissant MO

637 DUNN RD STE 155 24.9 miles

637 DUNN RD STE 155
HAZELWOOD, MO 63042
Categories: HAZELWOOD MO

463 LYNN HAVEN LN 25.0 miles

463 LYNN HAVEN LN
HAZELWOOD, MO 63042
Categories: HAZELWOOD MO

Drug and alcohol testing services are provided for employers and individuals and are administered for various reasons including Employment related such as pre-employment, random, post accident and reasonable suspicion, also US DOT-Part 40, Court Ordered, School and personal reasons.

Scheduling a drug, alcohol or any testing service at any of our Columbia, IL testing facilities is simple and easy. Call (800)221-4291 or you may schedule a test online 24/7 by clicking below and receive your donor pass/registration form with the testing center address and instructions via email.

ScheduleButton CityPagesV2 300x88

Customer Service 197x300

Customer Service Is Our #1 Priority- Our Drug Testing centers recognize that needing a drug, alcohol or occupational health test can be stressful at times. Accredited Drug Testing takes the stress out of a stressful situation and is available to answer any questions you may have and provide our services in a friendly, courteous and confidential manner. Call our scheduling department today at (800)221-4291.



View all available drug testing services


Types of Drug Testing Methods Available

Our testing centers provide many types of drug testing methods, below is a brief description of each method choose the one that is right for your need.


Drug Collector Training 300x200

Urine Test - Urine - Accredited Drug Testing provides drug testing utilizing the Urine screening method. Urine drug testing can be screened for 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 and 15 panel screenings. Urine drug tests can also include an expanded opiates analysis. Same day service is available and testing centers are located in all cities and in most cases within minutes from your home or office. The detection period for a urine drug test is up to 3-5 days and results are reported in most cases in 2- 3 days.

The procedure for a urine drug test is simple. A donor provides a urine specimen in a cup to a drug testing collection specialist who will then seal the specimen cup, complete various documentation including a chain of custody form, have the donor initial the specimen cup seal, provide identification and upon completion of the collection and paperwork the specimen will be sent in a secure manner by Currier to the laboratory for testing.


Hair Drug Testing - Accredited Drug Testing can provide a drug test utilizing the Hair follicle drug test method and a Hair drug test can be tested for 5, 10, and 12 panel screenings. The detection period for a hair drug test is up to 90 days and results are reported in most cases in 3 -5 days.

The hair drug test is becoming more frequently used by employers, courts and other government agencies due to the fact that the window of detection for illegal drug use for a hair is up to 90 days. Many courts have begun accepting hair testing in place of urine or blood testing and hair testing has been determined to be legally and scientifically admissible evidence in a court of law.

A hair drug test is a simple process whereby a drug testing collection specialist cuts approximately 120 strands of hair from the head or a specific amount from the body and submits the hair to a certified laboratory for analysis. A hair follicle drug test can be screened for a 5 panel, 10 panel or 12 panel test and can also include expanded opiates. If a donor does not have 1 ½ inches of hair on their head, body hair can be utilized, however, if the donor is bald and has none or very little body hair, a hair drug test is not an available option, a urine or oral/saliva test should be utilized.

In addition to our standard drug test panels, opioid screening can be added to any drug test to determine the use and/or abuse of any prescription drugs.

Hair Follicle Drug Screenings 300x225

DOT Services 300x168

US DOT Testing and Part 40 Compliance - Accredited Drug Testing provides DOT drug testing for pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and return to duty for companies or employees regulated and covered by 49 CFR Part 40 including FMCSA, USCG, FTA, FRA, FAA, PHMSA. The drug test required by the Department of Transportation is a 5-panel urine test, which must be analyzed by SAMHSA certified laboratory and verified by a Medical Review Officer (MRO).

Additional DOT services include:

  • -DOT Consortium Membership (random testing)
  • -DOT Supervisor Training
  • -MVR Reports
  • -DOT Drug Policy Development
  • -DOT Physicals
  • -DOT Breath Alcohol Testing

Our Columbia, IL testing centers have certified DOT drug testing collection specialists who are trained in the proper collection of a DOT drug test.

The Opioid Overdose Crisis

Every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of and addiction to opioids—including prescription pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl—is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total "economic burden" of prescription opioid misuse alone in the United States is $78.5 billion a year, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement.

  • Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them.
  • Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.
  • An estimated 4 to 6 percent who misuse prescription opioids transition to heroin.
  • About 80 percent of people who use heroin first misused prescription opioids.
  • Opioid overdoses increased 30 percent from July 2016 through September 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states.
  • The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 through September 2017.
  • Opioid overdoses in large cities increase by 54 percent in 16 states.

In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to prescription opioid pain relievers, and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. This subsequently led to widespread diversion and misuse of these medications before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.3,4 Opioid overdose rates began to increase. In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died as a result of an opioid overdose, including prescription opioids, heroin, and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.1That same year, an estimated 1.7 million people in the United States suffered from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers, and 652,000 suffered from a heroin use disorder (not mutually exclusive)

Judge 300x168 300x168

Court Ordered Testing - Accredited Drug Testing and our Columbia, IL drug testing centers also provide drug and alcohol testing for probation and other court ordered testing requirements. Testing services include ETG alcohol testing and drug testing utilizing urine and hair methods. Test results can be sent directly to Probation Officers, Judges, Attorneys or other parties as required. Strict confidentiality is assured.


Alcohol Testing - Accredited Drug Testing and our Columbia, IL testing centers provide alcohol testing including ETG testing in both urine and hair and Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT). Alcohol testing can be added to any drug test screening.

10 Panel ETG 300x167

Lacee Office 300x244

Testing Facilities Nationwide - In addition to our drug and alcohol testing centers in Columbia, IL and the local area, Accredited Drug Testing has company owned and affiliated collection sites in all States and most cities to serve our clients' needs when traveling or employment related testing is required in multiple cities or States.


On-Site/Mobile Testing - Time Is Money!- Accredited Drug Testing provides On-Site drug testing services in all cities nationwide and can be used for construction sites, sporting events, job fairs and trucking/transportation companies, on site testing is available for DOT and NON-DOT regulated employers. In most cases, on-site mobile testing is cost effective when you have 10 or more employees needing to be drug or alcohol tested without leaving the job site.

Mobile Drug Testing 1 300x86

Employees 300x168

Employer testing/account setup - If you are an employer with at least 5 employees and would like to set up an account for future testing, it's simple and easy. Call us and speak with a client relations representative, (800)221-4291 it takes 5 minutes or less to complete. Account benefits include no setup fees, test discounts, invoicing, test status tracking and personalized customer service.

Does Your Company Have a Written Drug Policy? - Employee Drug & alcohol testing is utilized best when conducted in conjunction with a clear, written drug policy that is shared with all employees, along with employee education about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, supervisor training on the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide help for employees who may have an alcohol or drug problem. If your company does not have a written drug and alcohol policy or your current policy needs to be revised, Accredited Drug Testing specializes in the development and implementation of an employer's drug and alcohol policy which complies with state and federal law.


DNA Testing Services -Accredited Drug Testing provides DNA testing at testing centers Nationwide for paternity, immigration, and family relationship purposes. DNA testing centers are located in most cities and within minutes of your home or office.

DNA testing can provide an accurate determination of the probability of paternity at 99% more of who the child's biological father or mother is. The initial DNA test takes only a few minutes at the testing center and involves the swabbing of the child and alleged fathers mouth, which will provide saliva to be analyzed by a certified laboratory. Our DNA results are analyzed by a certified AABB laboratory and can be used in a legal proceeding to determine paternity or child custody related issues.

DNA Testing 3 300x200

ScheduleButton CityPagesV2 300x88

"When you need a test, choose the best!"

Alcohol Testing Columbia, IL Services

(800)221-4291

For more information regarding the effects of drug abuse - Click Here

For more information on a drug free work place - Click Here

Handy Resources

Comprehensive Online Resources for Drug Testing

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

    Provides comprehensive information on drug testing and its role in substance use disorder treatment.

  2. FDA: Drug Testing

    Explains the FDA's role and regulations concerning drug testing for consumers.

  3. PDR.net

    Provides detailed drug information and safety updates through a mobile-friendly platform.

  4. BeSafeRx - FDA

    Resource by the FDA to help consumers identify and choose safe online pharmacies.

  5. SAMHSA: Drug Testing Resources for the Workplace

    Resources and guidelines for drug testing in the workplace.

  6. Drugs.com

    Provides drug information, side effects, and interactions for consumers and professionals.

  7. Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST)

    Online version of the DAST to help individuals assess whether they have a drug problem.

  8. Merck Manuals

    Consumer-friendly medical resource providing comprehensive information on a wide array of health topics, including drug testing.

  9. SAMHSA Store

    Provides access to resources and publications on substance use prevention and treatment.

  10. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

    Information on state boards of pharmacy and regulations, including those related to drug testing.

  11. CDC: Workplace Health Promotion

    CDC's resources on substance use and drug testing in the workplace.

  12. Mayo Clinic: Drug Testing

    General information about the procedures and types of drug tests.

  13. MedlinePlus: Drug Testing

    Offers information about various drug tests and their uses in medical diagnosis and treatment.

  14. University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia

    Provides a detailed entry on drug testing, including how tests are conducted and what they detect.

  15. World Health Organization (WHO)

    International guidelines and information on public health, including substance abuse and drug testing.

  16. Healthline: Drug Testing

    Consumer health site offering information on how drug tests work and what they look for.

  17. WebMD: Drug Testing

    Provides a patient-oriented overview of drug testing and its purposes.

  18. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)

    Provides a vast database of scientific studies, including research on drug testing and its effectiveness.

AI Overview

Overview of Drug Testing Collection Centers

Drug testing collection centers are specialized facilities where individuals submit biological samples for drug testing. These centers play a crucial role in the drug testing process, serving industries such as transportation, healthcare, sports, and many sectors requiring workplace safety and compliance with drug-free policies. This overview details the functions, types of tests conducted, and what individuals can expect during a visit to a drug testing collection center.

Functions of Drug Testing Collection Centers

Collection centers are primarily responsible for the secure and proper collection of samples, ensuring that they are uncontaminated and accurately reflect the subject's drug use status. They adhere to strict procedures to maintain confidentiality and integrity of the testing process.

Types of Tests Conducted

  • Urine Testing: The most common form of drug testing, used to detect recent use of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and others.
  • Hair Follicle Testing: Provides a longer detection window compared to urine testing and is used to analyze drug use over a period of months.
  • Saliva Testing: Used for its non-invasive nature and ability to detect immediate drug use.
  • Blood Testing: Although less common due to its invasive nature, it is the most accurate form of drug testing.

What to Expect at a Collection Center

  1. Identification Verification: Upon arrival, individuals must present valid identification to ensure that the samples correspond to the correct person.
  2. Sample Collection: Trained professionals collect samples in a manner that minimizes the chance of tampering or contamination. This might involve measures such as securing personal belongings and direct observation during sample provision.
  3. Chain of Custody: Each sample is handled with a documented chain of custody procedure to maintain its integrity from collection to testing laboratory.

Importance of Collection Centers

Drug testing collection centers are vital for ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the drug testing process. They provide essential services that help employers maintain a safe and productive workplace, enforce legal and regulatory requirements, and assist in rehabilitation processes. The professionalism and accuracy practiced by these centers are crucial for upholding the trust and safety standards expected in many professional environments.

Local Area Info: Columbia, Illinois

Columbia is a city mainly in Monroe County with a small portion in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 12 miles (19 km) south of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 9,707 at the 2010 census.

The first white settlers to come to the area of Columbia, Illinois, were Frenchmen in the mid-17th century. They named the area in which Columbia was founded L'Aigle, which is French for "The Eagle."

In the mid-18th century, the British took over the territory until the Revolutionary War forced them out of the area. The colonial American settlers soon arrived in the early 1780s and established the first permanent settlements in the area of Columbia, Fort Whiteside and Fort Piggott. Both frontier forts were of log construction and were used to protect the settlers against Indian raids.

Show Regional Data

Population (total): Population in 2017: 10,274 (97% urban, 3% rural).

Median Rent: Median gross rent in 2017: $830.

Cost of Living: March 2019 cost of living index in Columbia: 87.8 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

Sex Offenders: According to our research of Illinois and other state lists, there was 1 registered sex offender living in Columbia, Illinois as of January 16, 2021. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Columbia is 10,153 to 1.The ratio of registered sex offenders to all residents in this city is much lo

Elevation: 500 feet

(800) 221-4291