New drug checking service offered in Timmins

A nationally approved drug checking service is now available in Timmins, a group sends samples of street drugs to a Toronto lab to identify substances in them.

If people in Timmins and the surrounding area who use street drugs want to know what’s in them, there is a new service being offered and it’s got Health Canada’s approval.

DIY Community Health Timmins has been working with the Ontario Drug Checking Community for more than a year to get the approvals to offer the service.

“People can come in and either provide a sample of their drugs a small … you know, the head of a matchstick, even smaller we can get away with, or drug paraphernalia, you know, like a used paper or other thing that might have, you know, a little bit of drug residue left over,” said Jason Sereda, coordinator of DIY Community Health Timmins.

Samples are sent to Toronto’s Drug Checking Service at St. Michael’s Hospital for analysis. Sereda said the results arrive in a few days.

“(It) will allow us to really develop that knowledge base for the community, which will allow service providers, policymakers, politicians to make better evidence-based, informed decisions around what kind of programs we need for our community,” said Sereda.

Informed decisions

He said those who bring in their drugs are told about the results to help them make informed decisions about what they’re consuming.

Sereda said there is also an immediate testing option that can help detect if, for example, their drugs contain fentanyl.

“And hopefully by having that connection with us, maybe that opens up the door to some conversations around treatment, support, or other harm reduction services that we might offer here in the community.”

Sereda said the drug checking service supports DIY Community Health Timmins’ vision: to provide accessible health care for all.