Hair Today (But Not Gone Tomorrow)?

A person consuming certain drugs, retains traces of those compounds in their growing hair. Consequently, hair-strand tests, for drug or excessive alcohol consumption, have been developed. In the UK, such tests have proved popular with some employers (e.g. railways) and Family Courts. More than 30 years of testing has revealed, however, that hair-strand tests need careful evaluation. Recorded drug values are influenced by factors including the subject's race, hair colour and even the use of particular hair products. Pregnancy, exposure to UV light and whether the individual lives near drug users, will also change the readings (https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/nov/09/uk-children-taken-away-from-parents-due-to-misreporting-of-drug-tests-say-experts). Hair-strand tests have resulted in some folk losing their jobs. They've also influenced decisions made by Family Courts. Such tests may result in a child being removed from its parents and placed in the care of a local authority. Folk, relying only on hair-strand test data, need to be educated about their limitations. Erroneous decisions can be life-changing (usually for the worse).