A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking
Date
2022
Authors
Wallace, Bruce
Gozdzialski, Lea
Qbaich, Abdelhakim
Azam, Md. Shafiul
Burek, Piotr
Hutchison, Abby
Teal, Taylor
Louw, Rebecca
Kielty, Collin
Robinson, Derek
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Drugs Habits and Social Policy
Abstract
Purpose – While there is increasing interest in implementing drug checking within overdose prevention, we must also consider how to scale-up these responses so that they have significant reach and impact for people navigating the unpredictable and increasingly complex drug supplies linked to overdose. The purpose of this paper is to present a distributed model of community drug checking that addresses multiple barriers to increasing the reach of drug checking as a response to the illicit drug overdose crisis.
Design/methodology/approach – A detailed description of the key components of a distributed model of community drug checking is provided. This includes an integrated software platform that links a multi-instrument, multi-site service design with online service options, a foundational database that provides storage and reporting functions and a community of practice to facilitate engagement and capacity building.
Findings – The distributed model diminishes the need for technicians at multiple sites while still providing point-of-care results with local harm reduction engagement and access to confirmatory testing online and in localized reporting. It also reduces the need for training in the technical components of drug checking (e.g. interpreting spectra) for harm reduction workers. Moreover, its real-time reporting capability keeps communities informed about the crisis. Sites are additionally supported by a community of practice.
Originality/value – This paper presents innovations in drug checking technologies and service design that attempt to overcome current financial and technical barriers towards scaling-up services to a more equitable and impactful level and effectively linking multiple urban and rural communities to report concentration levels for substances most linked to overdose.
Description
Keywords
drug checking, substance use, harm reduction, overdose, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
Citation
Wallace, B., Gozdzialski, L., Qbaich, A., Shafiul, A., Burek, P., Hutchison, A., Teal, T., Louw, R., Kielty, C., Robinson, D., Moa, B., Storey, M., Gill, C., & Hore, D. (2022). A distributed model to expand the reach of drug checking. Drugs Habits and Social Policy, 23(3), 220–231. https://doi.org/10.1108/dhs-01-2022-0005