Gozdzialski, LeaAasen, JarredLarnder, AshleyRamsay, MargoBorden, Scott A.Saatchi, ArminGill, Chris G.Wallace, BruceHore, Dennis K.2023-07-232023-07-2320212021Gozdzialski, L., Aasen, J., Larnder, A., Ramsay, M., Borden, S. A., Saatchi, A., Gill, C. G., Wallace, B., & Hore, D. K. (2021). Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in drug checking: Detection of carfentanil and etizolam in expected opioid samples. International Journal of Drug Policy, 97, 103409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103409http://hdl.handle.net/1828/15227The authors acknowledge the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University for their ongoing support of our research and students.Background: There has been a recent increase in adulteration of opioids with low concentration actives such as fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines. As drug checking projects using vibrational spectroscopy continue to seek confirmatory lab-based testing, the concern and reality of missing these potentially harmful substances in point-of-care testing is prevalent. Methods: A portable GC-MS was used to analyze select opioid samples acquired at a drug checking service in Victoria, Canada ( ). Certified reference standards of several fentanyl analogues and benzodiazepines were measured to guide targeted analysis of these samples. Results were compared with those obtained using a lab-based paper spray mass spectrometer. Results: Portable GC-MS was able to identify 62% of samples containing carfentanil and 36% of samples containing etizolam. In the case of etizolam, the success rate was higher for more potent samples: 78% of etizolam-containing samples were identified when the etizolam concentration was above 3% by weight. In comparison, infrared spectroscopy was able to detect etizolam in only 9% of the etizolam-containing samples, and is not sensitive enough to detect carfentanil at relevant concentrations. Conclusions: Portable GC-MS has potential in identifying low concentration substances in a point-of-care setting, without relying on subsequent off-site confirmatory testing.enDrug checkingGas chromatographyMass spectrometryFentanylCarfentanilEtizolamCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)ArticleDepartment of ChemistrySchool of Social WorkDepartment of Computer Science