What is drug checking?
The term “Drug Checking” refers to a service that enables people who use drugs to chemically analyze their street-acquired drugs and receive individualized and fact-based consultation regarding the contents, and the associated risks of compounds detected in their samples.
-Kerr and Tupper, 2017
– Drug checking can be conducted using a range of technologies at stationary laboratories to which samples are shipped or dropped off, in addition to at on site locations where clients can bring samples before consumption.
– Some services are also able to incorporate counselling components while enabling clients to maintain anonymity and connect them to broader supports and services.
– This information can be used by the individual to help them make educated decisions about their consumption and by health practitioners and law enforcement workers.
– Trends in the unregulated market can be studied to better inform harm reduction initiatives and policies.
Kerr, T. and Tupper, K. (2017). Drug Checking as a Harm Reduction Intervention, Evidence Review Report. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use. Retrieved from https://www.bccsu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Drug-Checking-Evidence-Review-Report.pdf
Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario), Leece, P. (2017). Evidence Brief: Evidence on drug checking services as a harm reduction intervention. Retrieved from https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/E/2017/eb-drug-checking.pdf?la=en
Wallace, B., Roode, T., Pagan, F., Phillips, P., Wagner, H., Calder, S., Aasen, J., Pauly, B. and Hore, D. (2020). What is needed for implementing drug checking services in the connect of the overdose crisis? A qualitative study to explore perspectives of potential service users. Harm Reduction Journal. 17(29).