Drug Checking Services
How to test substances before use. From reagent kits you can use at home to laboratory analysis that identifies exactly what you have. Testing is the single most impactful harm reduction practice after dose measurement.
Fentanyl contamination is not limited to opioids. Fentanyl and its analogues have been detected in cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, counterfeit prescription pills, and even cannabis in some markets. Test everything, regardless of what you believe it to be.
testing hierarchy
More testing is better. Each level adds information the previous level cannot provide.
1Fentanyl test stripDetects the most common lethal adulterant. Minimum viable testing for any powder or pill.
2Reagent kit(s)Confirms substance identity. Rules out dangerous substitutes (NBOMes, PMA).
3Milligram scaleEnsures accurate dosing. Never eyeball a dose, especially for potent substances.
4Lab analysisDefinitive identification, purity, and adulterant detection. The gold standard.
Reagent testing kits
accuracyPresumptive (indicates presence, not purity or quantity)
cost$15–40 per kit (multiple tests per kit)
what it detects–Marquis: MDMA/MDA, amphetamines, DXM, opioids (color reactions differ)
–Mecke: MDMA/MDA (confirmation), opioids, 2C-x compounds
–Mandelin: Ketamine, PMA/PMMA, amphetamines
–Ehrlich: LSD and other indoles (tryptamines). Rules out NBOMes on blotter.
–Hofmann: Differentiates between LSD and other indoles
–Fentanyl test strips: Detects fentanyl and most analogues in any substance
limitations–Cannot determine purity or dosage
–Cannot detect every adulterant
–Some novel substances may not react with standard reagents
–Color interpretation can be subjective in poor lighting
–Mixtures can produce ambiguous color reactions
how to access — Available online from DanceSafe (US), Reagent Tests UK, and various harm reduction suppliers. Some needle exchanges and harm reduction organizations distribute them free.
Fentanyl test strips (FTS)
accuracyHigh sensitivity for fentanyl and most common analogues
cost$1–2 per strip (bulk pricing lower)
what it detects–Fentanyl and most fentanyl analogues
–Effective for testing any powder, pressed pill, or solution
–Can test residue from used drug packaging
limitations–Some newer fentanyl analogues may not be detected
–Cannot determine the amount of fentanyl present
–False negatives are possible (a negative test does not guarantee safety)
–Requires dissolving the substance in water first
how to access — Available from DanceSafe, BTNX (manufacturer), many pharmacies (varies by state/country), and harm reduction organizations. Increasingly distributed free at needle exchanges and events.
Mail-in laboratory testing
accuracyDefinitive identification and quantification (GC-MS, LC-MS, FTIR)
cost$40–150 per sample (varies by service and analysis requested)
what it detects–Exact chemical identity of the substance
–Quantitative purity (percentage of active ingredient)
–All adulterants and cutting agents present
–Identification of novel or unknown substances
limitations–Slow turnaround — not useful for same-night testing
–Requires mailing a small sample (legal in most jurisdictions for analytical purposes)
–Cost may be prohibitive for frequent testing
–Sample must be representative of the batch (test from the same bag/pill you intend to use)
how to access — DrugsData.org (formerly EcstasyData, US — run by Erowid), Energy Control (Spain, accepts international samples), WEDINOS (Wales, UK, free). Some services publish results publicly for community benefit.
On-site drug checking (festival/event services)
accuracyHigh (typically FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, or portable GC-MS)
costFree (funded by event organizers or public health)
what it detects–Chemical identity with high confidence
–Many adulterants and unexpected substances
–Approximate purity (some services)
limitations–Only available at events with drug checking services
–Limited geographic availability (more common in Europe, Canada, Australia)
–May require surrendering the sample
–Results are for that specific sample — the rest of your batch may differ
how to access — The Loop (UK festivals), DanceSafe (US events), Ankors (Canada), CanTest (Australia), and various European services. Check event websites or ask medical/welfare tents. Expanding but still not universal.
A positive test result tells you what is present. It does not tell you it is safe. Even confirmed, pure substances carry dose-dependent risk. Testing confirms identity; dose measurement and interaction checking are separate and equally important steps.
Testing your substances is legal in most jurisdictions. Drug checking services operate under harm reduction public health frameworks. If you are unsure about the legality in your area, check with your local harm reduction organization.
For reagent testing instructions, see the reagent testing guide →