Drug checking program resumes in Waterloo Region after feds step in

A vital service is resuming in Waterloo Region, aimed at reducing overdose deaths in the community.

A federal exemption, through Health Canada, has allowed Sanguen Health Centre to begin using its drug checking machine again. The machine, which looks similar to a desktop computer tower, uses Raman Spectroscopy to identify the different chemicals contained in a drug sample.

Leigh Wardlaw is the drug checking lead at Sanguen Health Centre. She says the machine can do much more than determine if there is fentanyl in a sample.

“It can also give you an idea of how much is in there. So, there could be many different cuts of one substance people are bringing in. This is able to tell you if there is something in there that could potentially be harmful,” Wardlaw explained.

That extra information is critical for understanding the drug supply circulating in the community at any given time. Sanguen shares that information with public health officials who can then use it to determine if a community drug warning needs to be issued.

Wardlaw said testing is done anonymously. No personal information is gathered.

She was also adamant to point out, no consumption of illegal substances takes place at the testing site, and Sanguen does not distribute drugs to clients.

Drug testing and safe supply are two very different things.

Wardlaw did say, the drug testing services offer staff the chance to connect with the clients, who may also be looking for help.

“Nobody plans to use a drug and overdose, so at least they’re able to decide whether they’re going to use a substance or not. If we have the opportunity to talk to people about safer drug use, we can also use that time to talk to people about if they want to go the treatment route,” she said.

Sanguen’s Health Canada exemption is set to expire in October. Wardlaw says they fully expect to reapply when the time comes.

The Sanguen drug testing drop-in site is located at 130 Victoria St., Kitchener. It runs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays and every second weekend.

Part of the current exemption allows Sanguen to operate the drug testing machine at a mobile site. More information about that will be forthcoming.

Those looking for more information about drug testing or to make an appointment can call or text 1-226-789-1719 or email L.wardlaw@sanguen.com