Do You Know What’s In The Substance You Use?
We are pleased to inform everyone that Sanguen Health Center and the Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) site now has a drug checking device created by Western University that uses raman spectrometry – laser light – to test your drugs.
Inside a nondescript black cube no bigger than two shoeboxes, there is sophisticated technology that can analyze the composition of street drugs in under fifteen minutes. This confidential visit is for anyone that uses drugs, those who support people who use drugs or anyone with a sample to understand what dangerous fillers and other drugs like fentanyl analogues might be in their sample, so they can make informed decisions about what they actually have in their possession.
The technology, developed by startup company SCATR Inc. with the support of Western University infrastructure, is being rolled out at 11 safe consumption sites across Ontario, Nova Scotia and B.C. thanks to a new grant from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) announced by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.