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See how heroin user tests drug for the presence of Fentanyl 

It's a little strip of paper not much longer than two inches, and it has the potential to prevent a drug overdose. CNN's Sanjay Gupta reports. (CNN, USA, 02.12.2021)

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/health/2021/12/01/fentanyl-test-strip-sanjay-gupta-pkg-lead-vpx.cnn

Schweiz. Ein Besuch im dib Bern von CONTACT Nightlife – Drug Checking: Wissen, was drin ist! (Video)

Das Angebot von dib (Drug Checking, Infos und Beratung) richtet sich an Erwachsene, die gelegentlich oder regelmässig legale oder illegale psychoaktive Substanzen konsumieren, wie z. B. Partypillen oder –pulver sowie Cannabis. (DIB-Bern, Schweiz, 26.11.2021)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUp8PSb0WvM

Notes from the Field: Testing for Nonprescribed Fentanyl and Percentage of Positive Test Results Among Patients with Opioid Use Disorder - United States, 2019-2020. 

Niles JK, Gudin J, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Gladden RM, Mustaquim D, Seth P, Kaufman HW. 

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Nov 26;70(47):1649-1651. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7047a4. PMID: 34818316.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7047a4.htm

Neuseeland. Drug checking to be permanent after law passes third reading

Drug-checking services have been given the all-clear to keep testing the safety of illicit substances at festivals and other locations over summer. (RNZ, Neuseeland, 24.11.2021)

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/456416/drug-checking-to-be-permanent-after-law-passes-third-reading

Kanada. Drug Checking: Shedding Light on Substance Use Issues 

How technologies and conversations are informing the discussion concerning substance use. (British Columbia Pharmacy Association, Kanada, 06.11.2021)

https://www.bcpharmacy.ca/tablet/fall-21/drug-checking-shedding-light-substance-use-issues

Drug Checking Services for People Who Use Drugs: A Systematic Review, 

Maghsoudi, N., Tanguay, J., Scarfone, K., Rammohan, I., Ziegler, C., Werb, D., and Scheim, A. (2021) 

Addiction. ddoi.org/10.1111/add.15734.

Abstract

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/add.15734

USA. NPS Discovery: Welcome to our premier open-access drug early warning system! 

Our evidence-based approach leads the development of high impact reports for real-time action.

ABOUT US: The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) is working in collaboration with law enforcement, public health, and public safety agencies to rapidly identify emerging drugs, also known as Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), associated with intoxications and adverse events. The information, reports, and resources consolidated here by the CFSRE allow for the rapid dissemination of information to stakeholders and affected communities. (NPS Discovery, USA, 2021)

https://www.npsdiscovery.org/

USA. Recommended Scope for NPS Testing in the United States

Purpose: The objective of this report is to provide updated guidance in developing an appropriate analytical scope of testing for novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the United States based on current trends and intelligence. This report is based on information available in Q3 2021 and is subject to change along with the drug market. (NPS Discovery, USA, Oktober 2021)

https://www.npsdiscovery.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Q3-2021-NPS-Scope-Recommendations_NPS-Discovery_110221.pdf

Neuseeland. Festival drug-checking services get a boost 

The Government is financially supporting drug-checking services to help keep young people safe at this summer’s large festivals and events, Health Minister Andrew Little says.

“This is not about condoning drug use, but about keeping people safe,” Andrew Little said.

“There is clear evidence that having drug-checking services at festivals changes behaviour and reduces harm.” (beehive.govt.nz, Neuseeland, 23.10.2021)

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/festival-drug-checking-services-get-boost

Kanada. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use – Drug Checking Results

Themenseite

https://drugcheckingbc.ca/dashboard/

Xylazine detected in unregulated opioids and drug administration equipment in Toronto, Canada: clinical and social implications. 

Bowles, J.M., McDonald, K., Maghsoudi, N. et al.

Harm Reduct J 18, 104 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00546-9

https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-021-00546-9

Thüringens Gesundheitsministerin will „Drug-Checking“ verstetigen

Erfurt – Geht es nach Gesundheitsministerin Heike Werner, wird es das sogenannte „Drug-Checking“-Projekt in Thüringen auch 2022 geben. „Wir wollen das weiterführen“, sagte die Linken-Politikerin heute in Erfurt bei der Vorstellung erster Ergebnisse. Im neuen Haushalt seien daher wieder Gelder beantragt worden. „Wir wissen, dass wir mit Analyse, Aufklärung und gezielter Beratung von Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten viel erreichen können“, sagte Werner. (aerzteblatt.de, 14.10.2021)

https://www.aerzteblatt.de/nachrichten/128190/Thueringens-Gesundheitsministerin-will-Drug-Checking-verstetigen

Australien. An Australian First – Fixed Site Pill Testing Announced

Pill Testing Australia (PTA) and Harm Reduction Australia (HRA) are pleased to advise that approval has been given by the ACT Government to pilot Australia’s first ever fixed site pill testing service. (PillTesting Asutalia, Australien, o8.10.2021)

https://pilltestingaustralia.com.au/an-australian-first-fixed-site-pill-testing-announced/

Drug use at music festivals: reducing harm and protecting health and well-being

Trinity research provides vital evidence to underpin new government approaches to harm reduction for drug use at music festival. (Trinitzy College Dublin, Irland, 11.10.2021)

https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/festival-drug-use-reducing-harm-and-protecting-health-and-well-being/

Results from a mobile drug checking pilot program using three technologies in Chicago, IL, USA. 

Karch L, Tobias S, Schmidt C, Doe-Simkins M, Carter N, Salisbury-Afshar E, Carlberg-Racich S. 

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2021 Aug 28;228:108976. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108976. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34536717.

Abstract

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34536717/

Commentary on Andersen et al.: Time for drug checking for heroin users?. 

Scott, J., and Henderson, G. (2021) 

Addiction, 116: 3113– 3114. doi.org/10.1111/add.15610.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/add.15610

Does the preparation for intravenous administration affect the composition of heroin injections? A controlled laboratory study. 

Andersen, J. M., Bogen, I. L., Karinen, R., Brochmann, G. W., Mørland, J., Vindenes, V., and Boix, F. (2021)

Addiction, 116: 3104– 3112. doi.org/10.1111/add.15492.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/add.15492

Drug use, harm-reduction practices and attitudes toward the utilisation of drug safety testing services in an Irish cohort of festival-goers. 

Ivers, JH., Killeen, N. & Keenan, E. 

Ir J Med Sci (2021). doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02765-2

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11845-021-02765-2

UK. pillreportofficial

https://www.instagram.com/pillreportofficial

Irland. Experts want pilot project to test drugs at music festivals

(…) The report of the HSE-led working group recommends a limited pilot project at festivals – described as ‘back of house’ drug checking – whereby tests are conducted on substances dropped into amnesty bins or following seizures by gardaí or security with no direct interaction with drug users.

These are different from more extensive ‘front of house’ drug checking systems – common at festivals and nightclubs abroad – where people directly hand over substances for analysis and receive results and allow for face-to-face health advice. (Irish Examiner, Irland, 17.09.2021)

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40700003.html

Investigation on heroin and cocaine quality in Luxembourg. 

Bourmaud, A., Dahm, G., Meys, F. et al.

Harm Reduct J 18, 97 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00544-x

https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-021-00544-x

Third party drug checking: accessing harm reduction services on the behalf of others. 

Larnder, A., Burek, P., Wallace, B. et al.

Harm Reduct J 18, 99 (2021). doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00545-w

https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-021-00545-w

Schweiz/Zürich. Cannabis (Drug-Checking) - Auswertung 1. Halbjahr 2021

Verfasser: Stadt Zürich, Saferparty Streetwork, Zürich, Juli 2021 

https://www.saferparty.ch/tl_files/images/download/file/Aktuelles_2021/Cannabis_Auswertung_Halbjahr_2021.pdf

Schottland. Researching and developing key components of a new Scottish drug checking programme

The Drug Deaths Taskforce is funding a research project to explore how best to establish drug checking in Scotland. The two-year project (ending in January 2023) aims to build an evidence base for, and facilitate the development of, drug checking services in Scotland across three cities: Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. It will involve interviews with people with experience of drug use, affected family members, and a range of professionals, to gain an understanding of the key opportunities and barriers to providing city-based drug checking services in Scotland. The project will also analyse the international evidence on drug checking, and assess how such findings fit with a Scottish context. (Drug Deaths Taskforce, Schottland, 03.08.2021)

https://drugdeathstaskforce.scot/about-the-taskforce/funding-and-key-projects/innovation-and-national-development-fund/drug-checking-project/

UK. DRUG ALERTS - August 2021 (UK)

Contaminated Heroin in London, Portsmouth & Hampshire areas

Some batches of Heroin that have been tested contains Isotonitazene, an extremely dangerous and potent synthetic opioid reported to be 500x stronger than morphine, so significantly more potent Heroin, which can and has killed. (Release, UK, 17.08.2021)

https://www.release.org.uk/blog/drug-alerts-august-2021-uk

USA. A New Ketamine Test Kit is Now Available

Morris reagent, when used properly, can reliably differentiate ketamine from other dissociatives. (Dance Safe, USA, 18.08.2021)

https://dancesafe.org/a-new-ketamine-test-kit-is-now-available/

What About Drug Checking? Systematic Review and Netnographic Analysis of Social Media. 

Guirguis A, Moosa I, Gittins R, Schifano F. 

Curr Neuropharmacol. 2020;18(10):906-917. doi: 10.2174/1570159X18666200413142632. PMID: 32282305; PMCID: PMC7709144.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7709144/

Evidence spotlight: drug safety testing 

Rob Calder and Natalie Davies review the literature to see what can be learned about the effectiveness of drug safety testing and what circumstances are necessary for it to reach its full potential. They find that the answer to whether the intervention works depends on what the desired result is, which can vary by country and policy context. (SSA – Society for the Study of Addiction, UK, 23.08.2021)

https://www.addiction-ssa.org/evidence-spotlight-drug-safety-testing/

Start frei: Drug-Checking in Thüringen

Thüringen hat es geschafft! Unser Drug-Checking Pilotprojekt „SubCheck“ der SiT - Suchthilfe in Thüringen ist live und kann auf erste Einsätze zurückschauen. (Drogerie Projekt, 27.07.2021)

https://drogerie-projekt.de/aktuelles/einzelansicht.html

City checking: Piloting the UK's first community-based drug safety testing (drug checking) service in 2 city centres.

Measham, F. 

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2020; 86: 420– 428. doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14231

https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.14231

  1. Kanada. Three years in: Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project working to save lives
  2. Is expected substance type associated with timing of drug checking service utilization?: A cross-sectional study. 
  3. Research Adds to Weight of Evidence on People Checking Drugs They Sell
  4. Neuseeland. Early warning system for dangerous drugs reaches online audience of more than a million in a year
  5. The potential impacts of community drug checking within the overdose crisis: qualitative study exploring the perspective of prospective service users.