Drug Checking Trends:
It is still requent that the drug technicians are see a high amount of drugs being tested containing Benzodiazepines. There is going to be a 'Benzo Alert' Poster released soon which I can share via email to all COP members. Please also still refer to the Overdose Response Management Guide for Benzo's and similar substances which can be found on the COP blog here.
Ongoing updates:
Drug Checking Pilot - The VCH take home Fentanyl strips drug checking pilot has now finished and results should be able to be shared within a few months. We are hoping that the results indicate that it is safe to use take home fentanyl test strips.
BCCSU/ VCH Drug Checking schedule updates:
There will be reduced drug checking shifts until further notice. See the blog for the schedule poster here.
BCCSU Shifts taking place are:
Tuesday – Molson OPS – 1-5 - Not available Tues 16th July
Wednesday – Insite – 3-7 and Safepoint – 10.30-5 (Abbotsford)
Friday – St. Paul’s Hospital – 1-4 Not available Fri 19th & 26th July
VCH shifts taking place are:
Wednesday – Overdose Prevention Society – 9–12 Not available Weds 24th July
Wednesday - St. Paul’s Hospital – 1-4 - Not available Weds July 24th.
Thursday – Overdose Prevention Society – 9-12 Not available Thurs 18th & 25th July
Friday – Insite – 1-5
The following shifts will not be taking place anymore:
Monday - Insite 1 - 5
Tuesday - Safepoint - 12 -4 (Abbotsford)
Thursday – Molson OPS – 1-5
For the above shifts where drug technicians are currently not around to check drugs using the spectrometer, peers will still be offering drug checking services with test strips at the above sites.