Subjektive Belastung durch Sichtkontrollen bei Urinabgaben im Rahmen von Abstinenzüberprüfungen

According to a decision by the Federal Constitutional Court (2 BvR 1630/21), directly observed urine sample collection in correctional facilities constitutes a serious infringement of the general personal rights, which affects the intimate sphere of an inmate. Athletes frequently feel burdened by the observed urination during doping tests, too; however, there are hardly any data available that examine the psychological stress of urine sample collection in the context of drug testing, e.g., for driving fitness assessment or probation conditions.

A total of 100 subjects (84% male) who presented for urine drug monitoring at 5 collection points in Bavaria, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg were asked via a questionnaire about their individual perception of the monitoring method and their desire for a not further specified alternative nonobservational but more cost-intensive and time-intensive procedure.

Overall, 37% of the male (n = 31) and 44% (n = 7) of the female participants stated that they did not feel any discomfort urinating under supervision, whereas 12% of the males (n = 10) and 31% of the females (n = 5) perceived this method as very unpleasant or unbearable. While 75% of the subjects did not desire an alternative procedure, 32 subjects were willing to invest additional time and/or money.

The results suggest that supervised urine sample collection is not associated with a significant burden for 85% of the subjects and that there is no increased interest in an alternative procedure associated with additional time and costs.