SWGDRUG Core Committee members wish to express their appreciation to the hundreds of forensic scientists from around the world who have participated in the process over the past three years.  Their voices were heard and had a direct impact on the recommendations published on this home page.  These recommendations specify the minimum standards recommended for the analysis of forensic drug samples.

The Spring 2000 SWGDRUG Conference was held May 1-2, 2000, at the Justice Training Center in Quantico, Virginia.  The conference was held to discuss and finalize the Methods and Reports proposals.  The conference was sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Core committee representatives from the United States,  Canada, England, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia attended the conference to discuss specific recommended methods which will impact forensic drug analysis.  Nineteen of the twenty-one members of the core committee were in attendance and voted.  Representatives from the United Nations Drug Control Program and the National Institute of Standards and Technology were unable to attend.

The next SWGDRUG Conference will be held October 2-5, 2000, in Vienna, Austria.  The core committee will evaluate the process to date by revisiting the current recommendations and evaluating forthcoming comments from the forensic sciences community.  All recommendations are works in progress, and will be updated as appropriate by forensic drug analysts.

A two (2) hour discussion open to all interested individuals is planned for the next American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting, February 20-25, 2001, in Seattle, Washington.  More information regarding topic areas will be available on the SWGDRUG Homepage and in Microgram.

The Methods and Reports Subcommittee Recommendations are now available and will be published in Microgram.  Formal presentations and discussions have been conducted at the 1999 SWGDRUG Conference, the Spring 2000 SWGDRUG Conference, the 1999 and 2000 American Academy of Forensic Sciences meetings, 1999 International Association of Forensic Sciences meeting , and in  forensic science regional, national, and international conferences.   The major topic of discussion at these presentations has been the following:  For the purpose of providing acceptable analytical data into the next millennium, what types of analytical procedures are recommended to identify drugs (and more specifically, controlled substances) in forensic science laboratories?  The original Methods and Reports Subcommittee Proposals recommended the use of instrumental analysis methods which would provide reviewable data.  However, the subcommittee carefully considered all comments from the international forensic science community.  In reviewing the final recommendations, please note that the emphasis has remained the same - the identification of a controlled substance must be reviewable.  Microcrystal tests are reviewable with certain caveats, and remain a part of the Methods and Reports Subcommittee Recommendations.

The Quality Assurance Subcommittee Recommendations were discussed, voted upon by the core committee, and passed in September 1999.  Clarifications were added to the document at the May 2000 SWGDRUG Conference to sections 2.2.5.3, 5.2, and 7.1.5,    A decision was made to modify the number of definitions included in the initial proposal.  The final list of SWGDRUG definitions will appear at a  future date.

One of the objectives of the 1999 SWGDRUG Conference was a reevaluation of mission and scope of responsibility statements.  Core committee members are examining the goals established at the  1997 and 1998  TWGDRUG/SWGDRUG Conferences.  These goals have been reevaluated and refined through the many survey responses, telephone calls, private conversations, presentations at professional conferences, and interactions within regional and international association meetings.

The mission of SWGDRUG is to make recommendations for internationally accepted minimum standards for the forensic examination of seized drugs.  The objectives of SWGDRUG as redefined in 1999 include the following:

PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
The Education and Training Subcommittee has finalized the first set of recommendations.

PROVIDING A MEANS OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE WITHIN THE FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMUNITY
The Communications Subcommittee has established a schedule of upcoming professional  conferences and meetings on regional, national, and international levels.  SWGDRUG  representatives will be attending and making presentations at as many of these gatherings as possible.

REQUIRING THE HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS OF PRACTITIONERS AND TRAINEES
IN ALL AREAS OF FORENSIC DRUG ANALYSIS
Adherence to strict ethical standards is a responsibility of all individuals involved in the analysis of or training in forensic drug analysis.  Meeting these ethical standards is an inherent part of all recommendations adopted by the SWGDRUG core committee.

PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR DRUG EXAMINATIONS AND REPORTING
This was probably the most discussed objective of SWGDRUG.  The Methods and Reports  Subcommittee set out to evaluate standards which should be met  to identify forensic  drugs samples, and more specifically, controlled substances, for the purpose of testifying in a  court of law.  The survey results show that there are a number of ways to accomplish this task.  The  question which must be answered is:  How do we best identify controlled substances in a way  which meets current accreditation standards and the legal requirements for  reviewable data?  These recommendations have now been finalized.

SPECIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR ANALYSTS' KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
This is exactly what the Education and Training Subcommittee has done.

ESTABLISHING QUALITY ASSURANCE GUIDELINES
These proposals were open for discussion and have been accepted as SWGDRUG recommendations.

GAINING INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF SWGDRUG STANDARDS
From the responses of hundreds of our professional  colleagues, the SWGDRUG process is gaining recognition and acceptance.

Anyone desiring a voice in formulating proposals is invited to continue participating in the process by sending comments to SWGDRUG core committee members.  This list, with contact information, is available now on this  SWGDRUG Home Page, and will be published again next month in Microgram.   In the interim, comments may also be faxed to Joseph Bono at (202) 307-8851, or E-mailed to jpbstlmo@erols.com

The work of SWGDRUG has been an ongoing process with much of the work being done by subcommittees involving practitioners in the forensic science community whose expertise lies in the analysis of forensic drug samples.   Representatives to the SWGDRUG core committee represent member organizations.  Votes within the core committee and subcommittees are representative of the member organizations, not individual core committee members.  Four (4) subcommittees were established at the 1997 conference and chairpersons were designated by the conferees:

The Scope of Responsibilities sections of this report include topic areas which each subcommittee will choose to consider.  After considering each topic area, the subcommittee may or may not issue a recommendation.

MISSION STATEMENT:   The mission of the Communications Subcommittee is to convey to the international forensic science community the establishment of SWGDRUG, its goals and objectives, and to promote the acceptance of SWGDRUG recommendations.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

	to ensure that the SWGDRUG home page and Microgram include a list of committee assignments.
	to establish an effective feedback mechanism for input from practitioners.
	to liaise with accrediting, certifying, and training organizations and institutions to promote the acceptance of recommended SWGDRUG standards.
	to establish lines of communication with practitioners, lab managers, and other agencies.

The dissemination of SWGDRUG proposals and recommendations will be coordinated by the Communications Subcommittee.   Core committee representatives will work through regional, national, and international organizations to promulgate the information as it develops.  The list below includes those publications and organizations which have contacted the SWGDRUG core committee for information.  Any organization desiring more information or a presentation at a meeting should contact any Communications Subcommittee member.

    MICROGRAM                         ANALOGUE                   ENFSI
    CAC                                          ASCLD                              United Nations
    IAFS                                          SAFS                                 MAAFS
    MAFS                                        NEAFS                              NWAFS
    Forensic Educators               CLIC                                 NOBCChE
    ASTM

SWGDRUG Methods and Reports Subcommittee
Jerry Massetti (Chairperson)
Marc LeBeau
Henk Huizer
Linda Jackson
Yoshiteru Marumo

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Methods and Reports Subcommittee is to assess and evaluate available analytical methodologies and reporting methods.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

	to survey existing practices as they apply to the examination of forensic drug specimens.
	to categorize selectivity and specificity of methodology and any legal considerations.
	to recommend minimal acceptable standards for identification and quantitation.
	to evaluate and recommend appropriate reporting practices.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Quality Assurance Subcommittee is to develop quality assurance guidelines for the operation of a forensic drug analysis laboratory.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

	to evaluate and recommend proficiency test protocols.
	to review the standardization of reference standard authentication procedures.
	to propose evidence handling procedures.
	to discuss documentation protocols.
	to define method validation protocols.
	to propose formats for required Quality Assurance Manuals.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Education and Training Subcommittee is to recommend minimum education and training requirements, competency standards, assessment protocols, and guidelines for continuing professional development for forensic drug examiners.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

	to specify minimum educational requirements.
	to specify minimum training standards.
	to propose minimum continuing education requirements.
	to evaluate competency assessment procedures.
	to recommend certification and accreditation.
	to recommend documentation which should be available in forensic drug analysis laboratories.
	to develop methods for knowledge, skill and abilities  assessment.
	to propose remedial action procedures.
	to develop ways to improve courtroom skills.

DEFINING A "CONSENSUS" FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING SWGDRUG RECOMMENDATIONS

In order for a recommendation to move from a subcommittee to the full core committee, two thirds (2/3's) of the subcommittee members who are present must vote in the affirmative (yes) to accept a recommendation.   Mail ballots will be accepted from subcommittee members unable to attend but desiring a vote.

1.  In order for a proposal to become a recommendation, two thirds (2/3's) of the full core committee must be present for a vote to be taken.  Two thirds (2/3's) of those present must vote in the affirmative (yes) for a proposal to become a recommendation.

2.  When a final vote is taken at a regularly scheduled meeting SWGDRUG meeting, core committee members can vote only if they are present at the meeting.  Members not  present who would vote against a proposal can submit their opinions in writing for review and debate at the core committee conference.

 SECRETARIAT OF THE SWGDRUG CORE COMMITTEE