Drug Checking
Drug checking is a harm reduction strategy that allows for the characterization of drug materials (i.e., pills, powders) based on individual drug components, including active drug ingredient(s), adulterant(s), diluent(s), and other substances. There are various tools and technologies used for drug checking, including in-the-field (e.g., fentanyl test strips, FTIR) and in-the-laboratory (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS) equipment. Drug checking allows individuals to draw scientifically backed opinions and understand complex drug data based on accurate and reliable testing protocols.
The CFSRE is collaborating with public health agencies to collect up-to-date information regarding the drug supply in various cities and communities across the United States. Our leading team of toxicologists and chemists help acquire data and interpret results based on years of knowledge and experience. For more information about our drug checking initiatives, email our program manager at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The CFSRE is collaborating with public health agencies to collect up-to-date information regarding the drug supply in various cities and communities across the United States. Our leading team of toxicologists and chemists help acquire data and interpret results based on years of knowledge and experience. For more information about our drug checking initiatives, email our program manager at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
December 1, 2023
A partnership between the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) has been established to accurately assess the drug supply in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Summary and Key Findings:
Summary and Key Findings:
- 344 samples were analyzed between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023.
- N-Desethyl Isotonitazene (n=3) was detected in dope samples alongside fentanyl, xylazine, bromazolam, flubromazepam, and caffeine.
- Bromazolam (n=2) was detected without opioids in purported dope samples.
- Coke (n=6) & crack (n=4) samples contained fentanyl. One methamphetamine sample contained fentanyl; however, it was noted as known contamination.
- Nearly all dope samples (99%) contained fentanyl and/or para-fluorofentanyl.
- Over the last 12 months, the average amount of fentanyl in dope samples remained mostly consistent while the average amount of xylazine increased 34%.
March 22, 2023
Xylazine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and veterinary drug that has become an adulterant commonly encountered in the recreational drug supply, most commonly among opioid and “dope” samples (e.g., fentanyl, heroin). As an adulterant, xylazine elicits pharmacologically advantageous effects alongside fentanyl which can be described as synergistic or prolonging in nature. Xylazine exposure or ingestion can lead to profound sedation and altered mental status. Severe adverse effects of xylazine use include skin ulcerations or wounds. Chronic use of xylazine may result in physiologic dependence and withdrawal symptoms can arise when use is ceased. Since 2021, more than 90% of “dope” samples tested from Philadelphia, PA, have contained xylazine and fentanyl, with xylazine purity (or concentration) ranging from less than 5% to greater than 70%. An increase in xylazine content among these samples has also been observed over this time frame. Due to prevalence and continued geographical spread of xylazine-adulterated fentanyl across the United States, lateral flow immunoassay test strips have been developed as a new tool to allow for field-based drug checking to determine whether or not a sample contains xylazine (similar to the prior process and philosophy associated with fentanyl test strips). To this end, xylazine test strips were obtained and evaluated to determine their accuracy and efficacy.
DOWNLOAD THIS REPORT
DOWNLOAD THIS REPORT
January 18, 2023
Xylazine test strips can reliably produce presumptive results of the presence of xylazine in drug samples. The test strips produced true positives for all the authentic drug samples containing xylazine and produced true negatives for all samples without xylazine. Sampling residue or a small amount of powdered material and diluting in 1 mL of water was sufficient sample preparation to produce solutions with a concentration above the LOD of the test strips.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
November 21, 2022
Summary and Key Findings:
- 219 samples were tested between May and September 2022
- Fentanyl-xylazine (tranq-dope) proportions varied greatly
- The average fentanyl purity was 11.7% (range: 0.3-34.8%)
- The average xylazine purity was 33.8% (range: 0-64.8%)
- Most dope samples (91%) contained fentanyl and xylazine
- Synthetic cannabinoids remain dynamic and unpredictable
- Counterfeit Xanax tablets tested positive for clonazolam
- Cocaine purity varied greatly (average: 37.8%, range: 0.2-81.8%)
August 16, 2022
A partnership between the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) has been established to accurately assess the drug supply in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. This initiative was established as a comprehensive effort examining various drug materials and drug forms, in both qualitative and quantitative fashions. The information and results reported herein represent a subset of the drug supply and not its entirety.
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
June 7, 2022
Summary and Key Findings:
- 90 samples were reported between March and early-May 2022
- Most “heroin”/dope samples contained fentanyl and xylazine
- Fentanyl-xylazine (tranq-dope) proportions varied greatly
- para-Fluorofentanyl continues its presence in dope samples
- Two cocaine (coke) samples contained trace levels of fentanyl, while methamphetamine samples were not adulterated
- Two counterfeit oxycodone tablets contained fentanyl
- Tenocyclidine was detected in samples purported to be “PCP”
March 22, 2022
Summary and Key Findings:
- 36 samples were reported between January and February 2022
- Most “heroin” samples contained fentanyl cut with xylazine
- Fentanyl combinations with methamphetamine and cocaine were observed in this sample set, however, not commonly
- Cocaine samples were not adulterated in this sample set*
- para-Fluorofentanyl continues increasing in prevalence, being identified as the primary opioid in some “heroin” samples
- A counterfeit tablet was found to contain an NPS benzodiazepine
December 21, 2021
Summary and Key Findings:
- 65 samples were reported between September & December 2021
- Most “heroin” samples contained fentanyl cut with xylazine
- Cocaine and methamphetamine samples were not adulterated; fentanyl contamination was not observed in this sample set*
- para-Fluorofentanyl was identified as the primary opioid in some “heroin” samples, once as the only opioid (without fentanyl or heroin)
- Two “heroin” samples were found to contain fentanyl & stimulants
- Counterfeit “Xanax” found to contain an NPS benzodiazepine
September 23, 2021
Summary and Key Findings:
- 98 samples were reported between April and August 2021
- Most “heroin” samples contained fentanyl cut with xylazine; however, heroin was identified in the supply without fentanyl
- Cocaine and methamphetamine samples were not adulterated; fentanyl contamination was not observed in this sample set*
- para-Fluorofentanyl continues increasing in prevalence, being identified as the primary opioid in some “heroin” samples
- Counterfeit “Xanax” found to contain NPS benzodiazepines
June 2, 2021
Summary and Key Findings:
- 91 samples were reported between February and April 2021
- Most “heroin” samples contained fentanyl cut with xylazine; however, heroin was identified in a few samples
- Cocaine and methamphetamine samples were not adulterated with other unsuspecting drugs, but fentanyl contamination was observed and determined to be insignificant
- para-Fluorofentanyl is increasing in prevalence and was identified as the primary opioid in some “heroin” samples
