Do Michigan JAMS Testing Site Use ETG Test?

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Steven Shelton Profile
Steven Shelton answered
JAMS does use EtG testing, sometimes through a lab in Colorado and in some cases through Forensic Fluids Laboratory in Kalamazoo. You should note that these tests are considered "experimental" by the US Dept of Health and Human Services, which issued an advisory against their use in judicial settings in 2006. Recent studies have shown that EtG tests are highly subject to false positives because the test does not detect alcohol, but EtG, which is a metabolite of alcohol. (In other words, if you drink alcohol, your body produces EtG through metabolism.) Although anyone who drinks alcohol will produce EtG, not everyone who has EtG in their system necessarily drank alcohol. EtG may be present due to bacterial infection of the sample post-collection, inhalation of ethyl alcohol vapors from hand sanitizer and hair spray, and even the ingestion of baker's yeast. There are no standardized cut-off levels for detection because (a) the technology is so new, and (b) recent studies have shown that there is a great variety in the way in which each person metabolizes ethyl alcohol (meaning two people may be exposed to the same amount of ethyl alcohol in the same manner, but may have dramatically different levels of EtG after metabolism). The tests JAMS sends to Forensic Fluids are typically saliva tests, and these tests were developed extremely recently, so it is difficult at best to assess their scientific reliability. FF claims these tests are more accurate and reliable than the urine testing, but the problem remains that they are still testing for EtG, which in and of itself is an unreliable indicator of alcohol consumption. These tests should NOT be admissible for this purpose in court, and many courts have ruled as much because the tests are unreliable. SO: IF YOU GET HIT FOR A PROBATION VIOLATION FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION BASED ON AN ETG TEST, YOU SHOULD RETAIN AN ATTORNEY AND FIGHT IT.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
YES THEY MOST CERTAINLY DO!!!!  I test at Jams and have failed an ETG test. Beter to be safe than sorry, just don't drink!!!
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
No they do not....however, they say they do... They want you to think they do as a former employee I know none of the jams in mi do not test or use the etg testing... Also, all the
jam sites in mi are owned by a judges wife... The judge is on the bench in the romeo district court... This is very unethical from a professional stand point. So anyone who gets caught up with the romeo district court has to test through their jams site----this is very wrong and I think maybe violating a persons rights... As far as the jams system they do not care about the defendants... It is all about the money!!!!! Yes thats right the money they are making.... It is a scam and it needs to stop!!!! One day someone os going to sue their asses.... I hope it is sooner than later... Good luck if your testing with them....
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Jams is the most intrusive, unjust form of sentencing and is used unjustly as well, I was a first time offender with no record or points and was convicted of operating while impaired and judge sentenced me to drug testing as well.  Here I find myself in a line of people 5 feet away from the unisex bathroom that stinks of urine so bad you have to hold your breath, and mirrors on the walls that look like they were purchased at a nearby garage sale, with a questionable male standing next to me watching me.  What kind of barbaric crap are the courts gettting away with here??
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
They do do ETG testing and the price is now going up $5 for each test.  They have to be rich as hell and I don't see why they are closing so many locations now.  I have to make an hour drive to the nearest location and its b.s.
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered

JAMS Does use ETG and as of 2013 an ETG costs $12.00 on top of whatever else they require you to do. For most required to take an ETG it's $21.00 total: $4.00 for a breath test + $5.00 for a drug panel + $9.00 for an ETG. 

Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Yes for sure I was on the flip side, my ex was drinking when my 2 yr old son was there. I contacted the c.p.s. Worker and she made him go in for the E.T.G at jams. Thank God my ex is a monster when he drinks.

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