Drug Checking Service: frequently asked questions

A Drug Checking Service is a confidential service where individuals can hand over a small sample of a drug to be tested. The service tells individuals what substances have been found in the sample. No substances will ever be returned to the individual after testing.

Staff will explain the results in person and provide tailored harm reduction advice. The service also offers advice and information about other health, treatment, and support services that may be appropriate for the individual requesting the test.

Drug checking does not make drug use safe. The aim is to provide individuals with information about their drugs so that they can make safer and more informed choices about their use. Sample results will help to inform local and national groups about new and emerging drug harms.

Scotland has very high numbers of drug‑related deaths compared to other European countries. A substance sold as one thing may contain something else or be much stronger than expected due to an ever evolving toxic and unregulated drug supply. This can increase the risk of overdose and drug related harms.

Drug checking helps individuals by:

• testing samples to identify their contents
• potentially identifying dangerous or unexpected substances
• identifying contaminants
• informing people about substances of concern
• providing people with harm reduction interventions and advice, e.g. Naloxone, IEP (Injecting Equipment Provision)
• empowering individuals to make more informed choices
• offering opportunities to connect with health, treatment, care services and/or recovery communities

Drug checking helps the wider community by:

• providing early warnings about emerging drug trends and associated risks
• helping health services respond more quickly to emerging risks and drug related harms
• reducing pressure on emergency services
• providing early warnings about substances of concern
• informing public health responses

Drug checking cannot:

• make drugs safe
• detect every possible substance
• remove the risks

The service respects personal choice while offering support.

Glasgow is part of a national pilot supported and funded by the Scottish Government to evaluate how drug checking services can be delivered in Scotland. Glasgow is one of four point-of-care drug checking sites including Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, supported by the National Testing and Research Laboratory at Dundee University.

The Glasgow Drug Checking Service (GDCS) will be based in the existing Hunter Street Health and Care Centre, at 55 Hunter Street, Glasgow, G4 0UP. It will operate under a Home Office Licence and within a defined legal framework. Although co-located with a number of other services on this site, the GDCS is a separate service. The service will initially operate from 9.30am to 5.00pm with last samples accepted for testing at 4pm, Monday to Friday.

• individuals will handover a small sample of a substance to the service in person
• staff will test the sample on site, provide initial testing results and tailored harm reduction information
• results are given face‑to‑face and explained clearly. Harm reduction advice and support are offered at the same time.

Samples will be sent for further testing to the National Testing and Research Laboratory in Dundee, and the more detailed results of those tests will be available at a later time.

No substances will be returned to the individual.

The service is for adults aged 18 and over who use one or more illicit substances. The service is voluntary, confidential, and non‑judgemental.