Results from 31 samples checked: May 9 – 22, 2020

Checked samples by sample type

Between May 9 – 22, 2020, 31 samples were checked: 55% (17) were substances and 45% (14) 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 31 samples checked between May 9 – 22, 2020:

  • 12 were expected to be fentanyl
  • 4 were expected to be cocaine
  • 4 were expected to be ketamine
  • 4 were expected to be methamphetamine
  • 1 was expected to be crack cocaine
  • 6 did not have a stated expected drug

Expected fentanyl samples

Of the 31 samples checked between May 9 – 22, 2020, 39% (12) were expected to be fentanyl (17% were substances and 83% were used paraphernalia).

Presence of fentanyl in expected fentanyl samples (12)

  • 8% (1) contained no fentanyl
  • 92% (11) contained fentanyl and other drugs

Expected fentanyl samples containing fentanyl and other drugs (11)

Of the 12 samples expected to be fentanyl, 92% (11) contained fentanyl and other drugs. Other drugs found included:

  • 100% (11) contained caffeine
  • 27% (3) contained one or more benzodiazepine or benzodiazepine-related drug*:
    • 27% (3) contained etizolam*
    • 9% (1) contained flualprazolam*
  • 18% (2) contained ACHMINACA (synthetic cannabinoid-related)*
  • 9% (1) contained norfentanyl*
  • 9% (1) contained phenacetin*

Other expected drug samples containing unexpected noteworthy drugs

Of the remaining 19 samples checked between May 9 – 22, 2020, meaning samples that were not expected to be fentanyl, 32% (6) contained one or more unexpected noteworthy drug. Unexpected noteworthy drugs found included:

  • 50% (2) of expected cocaine samples contained phenacetin*
  • 25% (1) of expected cocaine samples contained levamisole*
  • 50% (3) of samples that did not have a stated expected drug contained one or more benzodiazepine or benzodiazepine-related drug*
  • 50% (3) of samples that did not have a stated expected drug contained fentanyl*
  • 33% (2) of samples that did not have a stated expected drug contained ACHMINACA (synthetic cannabinoid-related)*

 

*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.