Checked samples by sample type
Between August 15 – 28, 2020, 52 samples were checked: 75% (39) were substances and 25% (13) were used paraphernalia.
Checked samples by expected drug
When a sample is submitted to be checked, the drug that sample is expected to contain is recorded. Of the 52 samples checked between August 15 – 28, 2020:
- 20 were expected to be fentanyl
- 8 were expected to be MDMA
- 5 were expected to be cocaine
- 3 were expected to be crack cocaine
- 3 were expected to be ketamine
- 3 were expected to be LSD
- 8 were expected to be other drugs, including: 2C class, benzodiazepine, heroin, mescaline, and methamphetamine
- 2 were expected to be a polysubstance
Expected fentanyl samples
Of the 52 samples checked between August 15 – 28, 2020, 38% (20) were expected to be fentanyl (45% were substances and 55% were used paraphernalia).
Presence of fentanyl in expected fentanyl samples (20)
- 5% (1) contained only fentanyl
- 95% (19) contained fentanyl and other drugs
Expected fentanyl samples containing fentanyl and other drugs (19)
Of the 20 samples expected to be fentanyl, 95% (19) contained fentanyl and other drugs. Other drugs found included:
- 89% (17) contained caffeine
- 63% (12) contained despropionyl fentanyl (4-ANPP)*
- 42% (8) contained etizolam (benzodiazepine-related)*
- 32% (6) contained norfentanyl*
- 16% (3) contained acetyl fentanyl*
- 16% (3) contained fentanyl (hydroxy)*
- 5% (1) contained phenacetin*
Other expected drug samples containing unexpected noteworthy drugs
Of the remaining 32 samples checked between August 15 – 28, 2020, meaning samples that were not expected to be fentanyl, 19% (6) contained one or more unexpected noteworthy drug. Unexpected noteworthy drugs found included:
- 100% (3) of expected crack cocaine samples contained phenacetin*
- 40% (2) of expected cocaine samples contained levamisole*
- 20% (1) of expected cocaine samples contained phenacetin*
*Unexpected noteworthy drug: “Noteworthy drugs” are drugs that are highly potent, linked to overdose or other adverse effects, or may not be desired by some clients. Noteworthy drugs are called out when they are unexpectedly found in checked samples.