Drug checking

Get your drugs checked

When this may help:

Drug checking may help if you:

• Plan to use an unregulated drug
• Are unsure what is in a drug or how strong it is
• Have a drug that looks, smells or feels different than expected
• Want information to help you make a safer choice

How to get started

1. Call your nearest drug checking location (below) to confirm:
   1. When it is open
   2. What testing is available
   3. How long testing may take

How to prepare

• Bring a small sample—about the size of a grain of rice. Ask the location how to bring it safely.

What to expect

• A technician will test your sample and explain the results. You may get your results in person, by phone or online.
• Testing may show what substances are in the sample and how strong some of them are.

Stay safer

Drug checking does not make drug use risk-free. Learn about ways to reduce your risk or find an overdose prevention or supervised consumption location.

Find a location

Campbell River

Two locations:

• 1371 C Cedar Street
• Call for hours: 250-830-0787
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results accessed by text, printed copy or online with your code via Substance's anonymous portal

• Services offered by AVI Health and Community Services.

   

• 1330 Dogwood Street
• Call for hours: 250-895-1825
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results accessed by text, printed copy or online with your code via Substance's anonymous portal
• Services offered by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society

Comox Valley

• Located at 355 6th Street, Courtenay
• Call 250-338-7400
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results accessed by text, printed copy or online via Substance's anonymous portal with your code
• Services offered by AVI Health and Community Services

Cowichan Valley/Duncan

• Located at 5878 York Road
• Call 250-597-7779
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results accessed by text, printed copy or online via Substance's anonymous portal with your code
• Services offered by the Cowichan Valley Wellness and Recovery Centre (local OPS)

Nanaimo

• Located at 250 Albert Street
• Call or text 236-628-1054
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results provided immediately and can also be sent by email or text
• Services offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (local OPS)

Port Alberni

• Located at 3699 3rd Avenue (Off Bute Street)
• Call 250-723-6511 (ext. 112)
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open. Testing complete when a technician is available
• Results accessed by text, printed copy or online via Substance's anonymous portal with your code
• Services offered by the Port Alberni Shelter Society (local OPS)

Port Hardy

• Located at 7070 Shorncliffe Avenue
• Call 250-902-6051 (ext. 66904 for harm reduction)
• Drop off drug samples in-person when open or via a secure mail slot any time. Results given within 20 minutes when a technician is available, or the next business day
• Results accessed online via Substance’s anonymous portal
• Services offered by Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use 

Victoria 

• Located at 1802 Cook Street
• Call 250-415-7637
• Drop off drug sample in-person when open. Results provided within 20 minutes and accessed online via Substance’s anonymous portal
• Services offered by Substance

Mail-in: Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project

• Visit Substance
• Click “send a sample” in the upper right corner of the page
• Follow instructions to anonymously submit drug samples and retrieve results

Take away: Fentanyl Test Strips

• Pick up at some Overdose Prevention & Supervised Consumption Locations. Please call the location closest to you to confirm availability.
• Fentanyl test strips have limitations. Please use a drug checking service whenever possible.

Additional Resources

BC Centre for Substance Use Drug Checking Project