Exhibit 24.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No.
     333-45057  on Form S-3 dated  February 4, 1988,  No.  333-28783 on Form S-3
     dated October 8, 1997,  No.  333-24371 on Form S-8 dated April 2, 1997, No.
     333-18547  on Form S-3 dated  February 14,  1997,  No.  333-827 on Form S-3
     dated May 15, 1996,  No.  33-89646 on Form S-8 dated February 21, 1995, No.
     33-91840 on Form S-3 dated July 21,  1995,  No.  33-86744 on Form S-3 dated
     December  13,  1994,  No.  33-78590  on Form S-3 dated June 20,  1994,  No.
     33-74078 on Form S-3 dated February 2, 1994, No. 33-71490 on Form S-8 dated
     November 11, 1993,  No.  33-71596 on Form S-8 dated  November 11, 1993, No.
     33-49474 on Form S-8 dated July 10,  1992,  No.  33-48566 on Form S-3 dated
     June 25,  1992,  No.  33-15025  on Form  S-8  dated  June 29,  1987 and No.
     33-10393 on Form S-8 dated  December 16, 1986 of our report dated  February
     6, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule
     of MEDTOX Scientific,  Inc. (formerly EDITEK,  Inc.) included in the Annual
     Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997.

                                                              /s/ Ernst & Young

Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 27, 1998