Drug Checking | Harm reduction

The Spectrometer does not detect substances that are present below 5%.

Participants will not get their sample back after it is tested.

All samples are destroyed after analysis.

We cannot guarantee that a drug is safe to use.

Sample size needed is about the size of a match head.

No drug samples are stored or kept at Purpose Society.

1. Wash hands or change gloves if more than one sample is being collected. You will need to make every effort to not cross-contaminate.

2. One sample per clean, unused baggie or clean, unused flap

3. Place a match head size (1-2mg) sample of substance in a baggie or clean, unused flap

Text or call the Health Van

604-351-1885 for collection.

FTIR spectroscopy can quickly detect and quantify the amount of various compounds, including fentanyl in a drug sample. This technology relies on reference libraries of drug spectra to identify various substances that may be present. Because of the 5% detection limit of the spectrometer, technicians will dissolve a portion of the sample in water to test a sample with fentanyl and benzodiazepine immunoassay strips.

This service is limited in that Drivers may not be able to get to you if it’s near the end of their shift or depending on what city they're currently in.

Turnaround time for results is definitely longer than if you were to drop the sample off in-person at Purpose Society during regular business hours.

The Health Van operates outside of Purpose business hours, so it is possible the earliest a sample can be tested is noon the following day.

Monday-Friday 11am-4:30pm, drop-off in person at Purpose Society: confidential and private. Let Reception know you need to speak to a Drug Checking Technician.

40 Begbie St, New West, behind the Anvil Centre, entrance is underneath the skytrain track, diagonally across from Waves Café.

or

Mon-Fri 4:30pm-10:30pm at the Safe Injection Site (Health Contact Centre), located behind Purpose, across from the New West Skytrain station on Alexander St, across from the Ki Sushi parking lot, entrance is underneath the Skytrain track.

or

Sat and Sun 3:30-10:30pm at the Safe Injection Site (Health Contact Centre)

Or

The Health Van is legally permitted to transport match-head size samples. Call or text 604-351-1885 between the hours of 6pm and midnight. Please note that the Health Van operates outside of Purpose Society & Health Contact Centre hours, so it is possible that your sample will not be analysed until noon the following day. For the fastest turnaround time, drop samples off in-person at the Health Contact Centre (behind Purpose Society) or at Purpose Society.