WHY WE DO IT
Drug checking services have been successfully operating in other countries around the world for decades. Evidence collected shows that drug checking services facilitate several vital outcomes, including enhancing engagement with people who may use drugs; information collection regarding circulating illicit substances; and reduced drug-related harms. Multiple stakeholders stand to benefit from the implementation of drug checking services, as described below.
SERVICE USERS
Provision of drug checking services and harm reduction messaging has been found to influence service users' behaviour, making them more likely to dispose of drugs and to decrease the amount taken¹². A drug checking service also improves engagement with people who may use drugs who may be unwilling to discuss their drug use with other services. This improves drug education and health advice delivery to this population and allows safer decision making around drug use.
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