There was an unusual drug checking result from Molson OPS on 7th May. A client brought in a sample of down that was given to him (I believe in exchange for goods) in the DTES. The sample was a white powder in a small baggie. The FTIR results indicated the sample contained lactose, lidocaine, dextromethorphan, and fentanyl. The fentanyl test strip was positive. The client had tried the down and said he did not feel much effect. The drug technician was unable to determine a percentage of fentanyl but dextromethorphan was approx. 10-20%. As the checking was performed at MOPS, a sample was unable to be saved for confirmatory testing.
Another client in the DTES shared that he grinds up street Xanax bars to mix into down to sell. The drug technician checked a sample of his down and although the spectrometer could not pick up signal from benzos, the benzo test strip was positive. The technicians are still evaluating the efficacy of benzo tests strips but this is the first time they have heard first hand about someone adding real benzos into down.
Please refer to the benzo management document still - which can be found in the blog.