Back ground:
 
Tests for substance abuse are used by a variety of  organisations in both the primary and secondary sectors.
 Three technologies can be applied in the process of testing for drug abuse, each technology accommodating different requirements in the organisation. The three technologies assume  screening and confirmatory functions. Only very few guidelines for the lawful use of these (technologies) are available. Decisions on the choice of technology applied are thus not directly centrally controlled. Drug related disorders and psychiatric diagnosis are often associated. Over the last 10 years the number of patients admitted to psychiatric wards with drug-related comorbidity has doubled.
 
Faster, better, cheaper and more accurate diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation are therefore required. Health technologies of all kinds are constantly evolving. A development driven by a rapid increase in demand from a public sector, with a vision of a health service in the absolute elite. Based on our clinical experience, and scientific methodologies, knowledge is sought to determine how the lack of centralised control in the choice and application of drug of abuse testing methods affects the forensic psychiatry practice?
 
Method: With a grounded theory-inspired method and positioning within the STS focused research field, analysis  are made through 5 exploratory interviews to create an understanding of the study's problem field. Furthermore, access to a LABKA database adds insight and knowledge of utilization and the potentials for using in-lab based technologies. The survey has been lead by an empirical method to obtain expansiveand nuanced understandings of the investigated subject area.
 
Result: The use of substance abuse tests is associated with conflicts between several social groups. The access to knowledge is characterised by irregularity, from where local rationales for application are drawn.

Conclusion: A nuanced sociotechnical point of view in the field of research, creates an understanding of diversity in the application and the possibilities of supporting the analytical technologies. Access to social groups has a significant impact on the way in which technology is applied. The lack of central management of use leaves the clinics diverging assumptions and considerations of use.