Sources for Laboratory Analysis
Drug-checking services allow for laboratory testing of substances to allow people who use drugs to confirm what substances are present in the drugs they are purchasing and taking. In addition, they often publish results and post alerts when there are concerning samples found so are a good resource to check in with even if you do not or cannot send in your own sample.
The following is a list of both mail-in and walk-in drug checking services. They list the country in which they are located but some of them may accept samples internationally. Please check the terms and conditions of each service. Many of them do not accept samples of organic material (e.g. mushrooms, cannabis, etc) or substances such as steroids and vitamins. Of course, please also exercise caution when sending drugs through the mail and take necessary precautions.
Mail-in Services
These services allow you to send samples by mail. Please be sure you're reading their instructions before sending in samples as they may reject your sample if it is not done properly.
North America
DrugsData (United States)
Launched in 2001 and previously known as EcstasyData, DrugsData is an independent laboratory pill testing program run by Erowid Center and co-sponsored by Dancesafe and Isomer Design. Its purpose is to collect, manage, review, and present laboratory pill testing results making the information publicly available to help harm-reduction efforts.
It costs about $100 for most samples. They cannot accept samples of organic material without prior approval.
UNC Street Drugs Lab (United States)
The UNC Street Drugs Lab is located at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. They currently only provide drug checking services to public health departments, drug users unions, and harm reduction agencies. They have a database of their results searchable by geographical location.
Get Your Drugs Tested (Canada)
Get Your Drugs Tested offers free drug-checking by mail to anyone in Canada. They do not charge a fee but do accept donations.
Europe
Energy Control (Spain)
Energy Control began in Barcelona, Spain in 1997 as a pioneering harm reduction project. They provide information and advice on various drugs in order to help reduce the risks associated with use. In addition to analyzing powder samples, they also can check cannabis for heavy metals and pesticides.
If you are sending a sample from within Spain, follow these instructions. For everyone else, check their international website.
Depending on the service you request, prices can range anywhere from 60€ for basic qualitative analysis to 120€ for a full quantitative analysis and report.
Welsh Emerging Drugs & Identification of Novel Substances Project (WEDINOS)
Created in 2009, WEDINOS was created to profile and process the mapping of trends and harms of drugs in Wales. WEDINOS provides a robust mechanism for the collection and testing of unknown/unidentified or new psychoactive substances and combinations of substances, and the production and dissemination of pragmatic harm reduction advice.
Cost: No charge for testing
Walk-in Services
These are drug checking services which require you to physically bring your sample to a location for it to be tested. This is done anonymously and many services have a quick turnaround (as little as 20 minutes for preliminary results).
North America
British Columbia Centre on Substance Use
BCCSU offers free drug checking services throughout the province. Visit their website to find a site closest to your location.
Toronto's Drug Checking Service
The Centre for Drug Policy Evaluation has several sites for walk-in drug checking services located throughout Toronto.
Cactus Montreal
Cactus Montreal offers free walk-in drug checking services. They encourage you to call before you visit to make sure they are open.
Spectrum Drug Checking (Edmonton)
The Queer and Trans Health Collective (QTHC) operates a drug checking service in Edmonton. Check their website for hours, locations, and to make an appointment!
AAWEAR (Calgary)
AAWEAR operates a mobile drug checking service in Calgary. Check their website and social media profiles to find out where they'll be!
OnPoint NYC
OnPoint NYC operates two Overdose Prevention Centers that offers drug-checking services. Check their website for more information on locations and hours.
Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) (Maryland)
RAD accepts drop-offs of samples of used paraphernalia at several of its Syringe Service Program sites. Check this document for the most up-to-date list of SSPs that will accept samples for drug checking.
Street Check (Massachusetts)
Street Check is a drug checking service in Massachusetts. They partner with several harm reduction organizations throughout the state that act as drop-off locations. Check their website to find the location nearest you.
Chicago Recovery Alliance
Chicago Recovery Alliance offers mobile drug checking at its many outreach locations throughout Chicago. It is recommended to call to check if they will be offering drug checking at the time and location you plan to visit.
Europe
Please note this list may not be extensive. Many countries and municipalities run Drug Consumption Rooms that may also offer drug checking services to their clients.
checkit! (Vienna)
checkit! is a cooperation with the Suchthilfe Wien, it offers free drug tests in Vienna, Austria which can be submitted in their office or in cooperating pharmacies. For walk-in services, they do ask that you make an appointment to guarantee that they will be able to accept your sample that day.
drugchecking berlin
drugchecking berlin offers walk-in drug checking services at 3 locations throughout Berlin.
Saferparty (Zurich)
Saferparty offers drug-checking services in person at their location in Zurich. They do require appointments so please be sure to check their website for info. Their site is also available in both German and English.
Drugs Information and Monitoring System (Netherlands)
DIMS is a government-run program to provide drug checking. They have many drop-off locations around the country. Please check if the location nearest you requires an appointment beforehand. Most locations offer services for free but some may require a small fee of a few euros.
Australia
CanTEST (Canberra)
CanTEST is a free drug-checking service operating in Canberra. They provide free walk-in services. Please check their website for their operating hours.