Drug checking services
PHF Science experts and partners around the country are supporting the growth of drug checking and other drug harm reduction initiatives.
ABOUT
About
PHF Science is one of five drug checking providers licensed by the Ministry of Health, supporting Aotearoa New Zealand’s world-first Drug Checking programme. This free, anonymous, and legal service allows people to have substances analysed to determine their likely identity and composition. Results are always delivered alongside harm reduction advice, helping individuals to make informed decisions, without promoting or endorsing drug use. Our team works closely with health and community partners to keep people safer by providing scientific support to Drug Checking clinics across the country. PHF Science carries out laboratory analysis of unidentified or potentially harmful samples, maintains essential Drug Checking equipment including spectrometers, and supports the of training of front-line providers. PHF Science Drug Checking staff also operate an on-call summer service to support festival safety, provide instrument support, information, and urgent sample analysis. Through this work, PHF Science collaborates with High Alert, Aotearoa’s early warning system for dangerous drugs, and other Drug Checking Providers.
OUR PARTNERS
Our drug checking partners:
Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri NZ Drug Foundation
High Alert - Drug Information and Alerts Aotearoa New Zealand
KnowYourStuffNZ
Drug Injecting Services Canterbury
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is drug checking?
Drug checking is a free and legal service provided to the public to indicate the identity and composition of drugs and other substances. This service supports informed decision making, test results are always provided alongside harm reduction advice and does not promote nor claim that the use of drugs is safe. You can read more about drug checking here.
Where can I get my drugs checked?
There are drug checking clinics operating around the country. To find a clinic near you, check out the schedule on The Level. This page will also tell you which events Drug Checking services will be operating at. PHF Science does not accept drug checking samples directly.
Where can I find out about new or dangerous drugs?
To find out about the detection of a new or dangerous drug, visit High Alert, Aotearoa’s early warning system for dangerous drugs. You can subscribe to their mailing list and/or follow them on social media to be alerted. PHF Science plays a significant role in the detection of these substances, including identifying novel substances that have yet to be seen internationally.
Where can I find out about my drug checking results?
If you have attended a drug checking clinic with one of our key partners, they may have suggested that your sample be sent to PHF Science for further analysis. If this happens, at the discretion of the front-line provider, they will give you information about analysis time frame and how to access your results. PHF Science drug checking results are given directly to the drug checking provider. They will then make these available to you via The Level. If your sample was sent by NZ Drug Foundation you can access results here. If your sample was sent by KnowYourStuffNZ or Drug Injection Services Canterbury, you can access results here.