Valencia, CA — UTAK Laboratories, Inc., celebrating its 40th anniversary as the leading diagnostics manufacturer solely focused on quality controls, announced today the release of “Spice” and “Bath Salts” QC products to assist laboratories in the war on drugs. Designer synthetic drugs have a chemical structure close to that of psychoactive compounds and can mimic, for example, the effects of cannabis, amphetamine, or cocaine. They are often sold in small retail outlets and via the Internet with the implication that users get a “legal” ” high. UTAK is the first commercial manufacturer to produce comprehensive* 3rd party Designer Drug Quality Controls for use with any methodology, on any testing platform.

Use of designer drugs is alarmingly high among young people, and can lead to seizures, delusions, violent behavior, loss of consciousness and overdose deaths.1,2 Labeled “not for human consumption” to mask their intended purpose, synthetic cannabinoids, known as “synthetic marijuana,” “K2” or “Spice”, are marketed as “herbal incense” or “potpourri”, and synthetic cathinones are often sold as “bath salts” or “jewelry cleaner”.

Federal, state and local agencies continue putting legislation in place to combat this threat. Synthetic drugs are made overseas and in U.S. residential neighborhoods; the chemical compositions are frequently altered in an attempt to avoid government bans.

Rapid response to changing regional testing requirements remains a pillar of UTAK service. Founder Larry Plutchak, a toxicologist working with famed Los Angeles coroner Thomas Noguchi in 1973, started UTAK to support the customized drugs-of-abuse quality control needs of forensic crime labs.

At the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) annual meeting beginning today in Orlando, UTAK CEO Jim Plutchak said, “Our focus has always been our ability to customize and meet the needs of individual customers with small batch requests. This personalized service developed into a friendship with the members of SOFT that we appreciate and value today.”

Dr. C. E. Pippenger, Adjunct Professor of Neurosciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine notes that, “One of the hallmarks of UTAK is that they venture into new areas the rest of the world hasn’t gone into yet, such as recognizing the market need for Spice and Bath Salts Quality Controls. Their willingness to work with customers is legendary. UTAK is tenacious in their commitment to customers and to delivering quality products. Ultimately, that benefits the patients.”

About UTAK Laboratories, Inc.

Founded in 1973, UTAK Laboratories, Incorporated is a recognized market leader of handcrafted quality control products used for analytical measurement in forensic and clinical laboratories. UTAK offers hundreds of stock and custom serum, whole blood, urine and oral fluids controls for use with any methodology, on any testing platform. Headquartered in Valencia, CA, UTAK serves clients globally, including many top on any testing platform. Headquartered in Valencia, CA, UTAK serves clients globally, including many top owned and renowned for its quality products and personalized customer service. For further information and to request a free evaluation sample, please go to: www.utak.com.