LONDON, September 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- A drug and alcohol testing laboratory that opened in Manchester six months ago has become the first in the UK to test for the recently banned substance, Mephedrone.

The new lab, at the Hexagon Tower science park in Blackley, was opened by Trimega Laboratories in March with the aim of becoming a centre for excellence in using hair samples to identify long-term alcohol and drug abuse.

Despite the ban on Mephedrone, Trimega has been granted special dispensation to hold small quantities of the Class B drug in order to develop its methods of testing. It is now able to return Mephedrone test results from hair, urine and blood within 36 hours of receiving a sample and has already received a number of enquiries from Local Authorities involved in child care orders.

Avi Lasarow, CEO of Trimega Laboratories, commented: We've actually tested quite a few samples already, so far all in child care cases where we've been asked to present an accurate picture of a parent's substance abuse over the past few months.

To find out more about this service, please contract Trimega's Customer Service team on +44(0)845-388-0124.

About Trimega Laboratories: Established in London in 2005, Trimega Laboratories (http://www.trimegalabs.co.uk) has developed a range of innovative techniques for testing substances of abuse. Its core business is laboratory-based analysis of hair samples that provides accurate historical records of any alcohol or drugs dependency over a one to 12 month period. In the UK its clients include: Family Law specialists, Social Services, regulatory bodies, professions such as nurses and pilots, as well as being ordered by the Courts directly. Other services offered by Trimega Laboratories include: Roadside Drugalyzer Testing for law enforcement, Hair Steroid Testing for athletes, and most recently, Hair Benzodiazepines Testing. Trimega Laboratories won the title of Best Use of Technology in the 2008 Barclays-sponsored Startups Awards, was a regional winner in the 2008 HSBC Start-up Stars, a runner-up in the 2009 National Customer Service Awards, and has been on the shortlist for the National Business Awards three years running. It was also one of 25 companies to represent the UK in the 2010 European Business Awards.

SOURCE: Trimega Laboratories

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