Methamphetamine—commonly known as ice, meth, or crystal meth—remains one of the most commonly detected illicit substances in Australia. At Medinat, we supply certified drug testing solutions that help workplaces, testing providers and safety-critical industries identify methamphetamine and other high-risk drugs, including fentanyl and heroin.

This article explains how methamphetamine is detected using blood, saliva, and urine drug tests, including detection windows and which method is most suitable for different testing scenarios.

1. Blood Testing for Methamphetamine

Blood testing provides a snapshot of active and recent drug use. It measures methamphetamine circulating in the bloodstream, making it the preferred method for forensic and clinical assessments.

Detection Windows

Methamphetamine: 24–48 hours

Fentanyl: 12–24 hours

Heroin (6-MAM metabolite): up to 24 hours

Pros

Shows current impairment

Highly accurate laboratory method

Cons

Invasive and requires a trained phlebotomist

Not suitable for high-volume workplace testing

2. Saliva (Oral Fluid) Testing for Methamphetamine

Saliva drug testing is widely used under AS/NZS 4760:2019 for roadside screening and workplace testing. It identifies recent use, usually within the previous 6–24 hours.

Detection Windows

Methamphetamine: 6–24 hours

Fentanyl: up to 24 hours

Heroin: up to 12–24 hours

Pros

Simple, fast, and non-invasive

Harder to adulterate

Quick results (5–10 minutes)

Recommended Medinat Products

✔ SalivaTracer™ 6 + Alcohol (AS/NZS 4760:2019 Certified)
https://www.medinat.com.au/products/drugcheckexpress®-salivatracer™-6-alc

✔ SalivaTracer™ 7 Panel
https://www.medinat.com.au/products/salivatracer

SalivaTracer devices require minimal saliva volume and deliver fast, reliable detection of methamphetamine and other drugs.

3. Urine Testing for Methamphetamine

Urine testing is the most widely used method in Australian workplaces and complies with AS/NZS 4308:2023. It detects drug metabolites, offering a longer detection period than saliva.

Detection Windows

Methamphetamine: 3–5 days (up to 7+ in heavy chronic users)

Fentanyl: 2–3 days

Heroin metabolites: 2–3 days

Pros

Long detection window

Cost-effective and ideal for large-scale screening

Suitable for pre-employment, random, and rehabilitation testing

Other High-Risk Substances

Fentanyl

A potent synthetic opioid 50–100x stronger than heroin. Many modern drug panels now include fentanyl due to rising prevalence.

Heroin

Heroin is broken down quickly, so laboratories look for 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) as the definitive marker of heroin use.

Ice (Crystal Meth)

Ice is the crystallised form of methamphetamine and is detected by all three methods above.

Choosing the Right Test Type

Which Should You Use?

Choose saliva tests (e.g., SalivaTracer) for recent use and fast onsite screening.

Choose urine panels for longer detection windows and high-volume workplace programs.

Use blood testing when impairment must be established.

Final Thoughts

Methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin continue to pose significant risks across Australian workplaces and communities. By selecting the right testing method—and using certified, reliable devices—organisations can reduce risk and ensure safer operations.

Medinat provides trusted saliva and urine testing solutions, including Australia’s leading SalivaTracer™ oral fluid devices.