Question 1

How does Drug Checking With Purpose work?

Accepted Answer

Here's what to expect:

1) Text your address/location to 236-878-3217

2) A Drug Checking Technician (Tech) will message you back with their estimated time of arrival

3) The Tech will message you when they're close. The van is a small, white, unmarked Ford Connect

4) The Tech will accept your properly packaged sample through the passenger side window only. The Tech will ask you a few questions for each substance you want checked:
	a) what do you believe this substance to be?
	b) have you used the substance?
	c) If you used the substance, were there any adverse effects? 
	d) do you want a  FOUR (4) minute scan, which checks 100 spots in the sample, an EIGHT (8) minute scan, which checks 400 spots in the sample or a 14 minute scan, which checks 625 spots in the sample

5) The Tech will offer you a Naloxone kit and pre-made harm reduction supply kits for snorting, injecting, sex, inhalation or booty bumping

6) The Tech will drive away to an undisclosed location, complete checking your sample(s) and text you results within 15-20 mins usually

7) The Tech will delete your message exchanges off the cell phone. Your contact info will not be stored on the cell phone, or anywhere else

Question 2

How do I properly package my substance(s) for mobile drug checking?

Accepted Answer

Prevent the "chocolate chip cookie effect" by crushing or rubbing the bagged substance together with your fingers. It is best practice to thoroughly mix your substance before properly packaging. We do this to prevent any unsuspecting substances in tiny amounts being missed. 
ONE sample per package.
Prepare samples on a clean, uncontaminated surface. Example, don't dump your MDMA sample on an unwashed plate where cocaine was snorted from. 
With washed/dried hands or gloves, place a matchhead-size sample in a clean, unused baggie, piece of tinfoil or plastic wrap 
Wash your hands or replace gloves between sample preparation, if you have more than one sample. 
If  you have more than one sample, be sure to write on the baggie, "Sample 1, COCAINE", "Sample 2, MDMA", "Sample 3, FENTANYL", etc.
If you have multiple samples of the same drug category, label the baggies, "Sample 1, Bright green Fentanyl", "Sample 2, light pink Fentanyl", etc.

KNOW THIS: 
1. TECHNICIANS WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY SAMPLE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY PACKAGED BY YOU.
2. EVERY SAMPLE IS IMMEDIATELY DESTROYED UPON CHECKING. THERE ARE NO DRUGS STORED ON THE VAN, EVER. YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR SAMPLE BACK.

Question 3

Your privacy

Accepted Answer

Your privacy and discretion is respected, protected and valued.

1) Technicians will delete all messages exchanged via text upon delivering your results.

2) We do not need a name, but we welcome an alias.

3) If you prefer to meet at a storefront or an address away from your home, we encourage that.

4) The van is unmarked.

5) Drug Checking Technicians offer services with ZERO judgement. They're harm reductionists, after all. They are working this job, because they want all people who use substances to be safer. Period.

6) Your phone number/contact info will never be stored on the phone or anywhere else.

7) You will be asked if you would like to answer OPTIONAL demographic questions that you can answer or not:
*  What is your gender?
*  What is your age?
*  Do you live with chronic pain?
*  Do you identify as Indigenous?
*  Do you identify as black, racialized or a person of colour?
*  What is your preferred language?
*  Do you identify as LGBTQ or another minority sexual orientation or gender identity?

Question 4

We will never tell you that your drug is safe to use. Here's why:

Accepted Answer

While not all drug-use is problematic, the drug supply can be toxic, even if  you're a "weekend warrior". According to the 2024 B.C. Coroners statistical report on Drug Toxicity Deaths, we lost nearly 2000 people to a toxic drug supply. 67% of deaths were people who inhaled their drugs, while only 11% of people who died injected their drugs. Modality of drug use does not mean you are more or less prone to an overdose.

No drug checking machine is 100% accurate. The Drug Checking Technician cannot provide accurate percentages of substances and adulterants.

We will never recommend how much of a drug to take. We will never relay that a drug is safe to consume.

Technicians will be able to provide insight on whether your sample contains Fentanyl.

Substances like ketamine, MDMA, MDA, cocaine, crack, Fentanyl and meth are the machine's favourite samples to scan. Mushrooms, cannabis, pharmaceuticals, LSD and GHB will not be tested using a machine, but can be tested for Fentanyl using a test strip.

KNOW THIS: 
1. TECHNICIANS WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY SAMPLE THAT IS NOT PROPERLY PACKAGED BY YOU. Check out the "HOW DO I PREPARE MY SAMPLE" section of the FAQ's.

2. EVERY SAMPLE IS IMMEDIATELY DESTROYED UPON CHECKING. THERE ARE NO DRUGS STORED ON THE VAN, EVER. YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR SAMPLE BACK.

Question 5

I found a sample in someone's space and I want to test it to see what it is.

Accepted Answer

If you're a boss, parent, spouse, sibling, teacher, or otherwise, and you found what you think could be a drug, will we check it? The short answer is no. Drug Checking With Purpose will not check samples that you found in someone else's space. If you are worried or suspect that a person is using substances, we recommend:

1) Talking to the person about  your concerns

2) Researching resources

3) Speaking to a physician

You can access resources via your local health authority by clicking the links below:

Question 6

Legalities

Accepted Answer

The Lower Mainland Purpose Society or Scatr Inc. will not be held liable or responsible in any way, for any adverse effect of any substance/drug you use, whether it's been tested by a Drug Checking Technician or not.

No drug checking machine is 100% accurate. The Drug Checking Technician cannot provide accurate percentages of substances and adulterants.

Technicians will be able to provide insight on whether your sample contains Fentanyl.

EVERY SAMPLE IS IMMEDIATELY DESTROYED UPON CHECKING. THERE ARE NO DRUGS STORED ON THE VAN, EVER. YOU WILL NOT GET YOUR SAMPLE BACK.

Question 7

How can I donate to Drug Checking With Purpose Program?

Accepted Answer

Any donation is graciously accepted. Be sure to add in the notes section, that you are donating to the Drug Checking With Purpose program.

The programs and services delivered by the Purpose Society are made possible, in part, by generous donations. Your donations help fulfill the Society’s mission and uphold our values. Our programs are a continuum of services for our region that include, but are not limited to:
Early Childhood Programs
Child Care Centres
Burnaby and New Westminster Youth Hubs
Young Parent Programs
Family Therapy Programs
Family Groups and Workshops
Plus low barrier services to marginalized communities, such as a harm reduction mobile health van , safe use injection site, mobile drug checking service, a nightly shelter and a digital inclusion technology access program.
 
The Lower Mainland Purpose Society for Youth and Families is a registered Canadian Charity (charitable registration number 108087313rr0001).

FAQ

Frequently asked questions