Laboratory Drug Testing
While at-home drug testing kits, like EZ Test Kits, can tell you a certain amount about what is in a sample, those looking for a more detailed analysis may choose services provided by drug testing laboratories. Unfortunately, these facilities are only available in limited locations, meaning not everyone has access to professional drug testing resources. However, in areas in which they operate, these laboratories play a crucial role in coordinating and delivering drug testing and harm reduction initiatives.
How Drug Checking Labs Work
Drug testing - more commonly referred to as drug checking - is carried out in both stationary and mobile laboratories. Fixed sites often have drop-in schedules, whereby members of the public can anonymously bring samples to the lab for analysis at specified times. Results are typically provided within an hour, and harm reduction experts are usually available on-site to help assist users make more informed decisions relating to consumption, post analysis.
Some stationary labs will only accept drug samples by post, although many offer both mail-in and drop-in services.
Mobile labs are temporary drug-checking facilities that are set up in, or within close proximity to festivals or nightclubs. Attendees can have their drugs tested for impurities, cutting agents and substitutes. Often housed in tents or vans, these spaces are typically installed with the consent of the authorities, offering amnesty to anyone visiting the facility with illegal drugs in their possession.
Pros And Cons
The main advantage of drug checking labs is the accuracy and level of detailed analysis they provide. Many employ a combination of high-tech methods - including infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, immunoassay testing and others – which are capable of detecting a wide array of different substances.
Most importantly, results don’t just indicate what’s in a sample but can determine how much of each ingredient is present. Unlike at-home reagent kits, laboratory testing can reveal the purity and strength of your drugs, which is vital information when it comes to deciding how much to take.
The downside is these labs aren’t always available when and where you need them. Some operate with restricted hours, while those that accept drugs by post often take days or weeks to provide results - not particularly helpful if you’re heading for a night out, or to a festival and need to know if your drugs are safe.
Where To Get Your Drugs Tested
Drug checking laboratories currently operate in 13 different European countries and across North America. Here’s a list of all the organizations offering the service:
UK
The Loop is the best-known drug checking facility in the UK. In 2016, the NGO began operating mobile laboratories at selected festivals and nightlife events throughout the country. In early 2024, the organisation opened the nation’s first street drug checking service, which runs on the last Saturday of every month in Bristol city centre.
In Wales, meanwhile, WEDINOS (the Welsh Emerging Drugs and Identification of Novel Substances Project) provides drug checking services by post, with results published online one week after samples are received.
Netherlands
The Drugs Information and Monitoring System (DIMS) was established in 1992 and offers drug checking services at fixed sites across the country.
Belgium
Modus Vivendi provides drug checking services at four locations in Brussels.
France
The Addiction Federation offers drug checking as part of its Analyse ton Prod initiative, with dozens of drop-off points located across France.
Portugal
Kosmicare provides weekly drug checking services in the centre of Lisbon and regularly instals mobile laboratories at dance music events throughout Portugal.
Spain
Energy Control has fixed drug checking laboratories in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Antequera.
Italy
Neutravel is a publicly-funded drug checking organisation that provides mobile services at parties and other events in the Piedmont region.
Switzerland
Saferparty Streetwork conducts regular drug testing on-site at the Zurich Drug Information Centre..
Slovenia
DrogArt has stationary drug checking laboratories in Ljubljana and Maribor.
Austria
checkit! is a mobile drug testing lab that operates in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna.
Germany
Drug testing facilities are provided by Drugchecking Berlin.
Luxembourg
A weekly drug checking service called Pipapo is available in the centre of Luxembourg City.
Finland
Drug testing in Finland was halted in 2024 and there is no word yet on when services will restart.
USA
Multiple organisations offer drug checking nationwide, including:
UNC Street Drug Analysis Lab - located at the University of North Carolina
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream (MADDS)
Access, Harm Reduction, Overdose Prevention and Education (AHOPE) - based in Boston, Massachusetts
DrugsData - A national drug checking facility that receives samples by mail, but stopped accepting submissions in April 2024.
Australia
CanTEST is a fixed site drug checking lab in Canberra that is currently funded to run until 2027, while the Victoria Department of Health is planning to trial free drug checking services at various events during the 2024-25 festival season.
New Zealand
Know Your Stuff is a drug testing company with drop-in points across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. The New Zealand Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri also conducts drug checking at several clinics in Auckland.