I have worked in several hospitals where urine and meconium are tested for
drugs of abuse. Depending on the test the turn around time  can be 24-48
hours.  I have never worked in a place where breast milk is tested.  Also
keep in mind that alcohol and nicotine are not routinely tested- two
substances one would prefer a breastfeeding infant not ingest.

Keep in mind that a postive test gives you only that a drug has been recently
ingested.  It is not an indicator of past or future use or if you have a
chemically dependent mom.  That is where it is important to have trained
personel in chemical dependency to interview the family and do followup.
 Ideally mom has already been connected to a prenatal program for chemical
dependency.

I will be attending a state wide conference on chemical dependency treatment
for women and their families in Asilomar this week.  If I obtain any
additional info I can pass it on if anyone is interested via private email.

Pierrette Mimi Poinsett MD FAAP
steering committee member Stanislaus County Perinatal Substance Abuse
Coalition.