Due to an increased number of reported overdoses, Newfoundland and Labrador police and harm reduction advocates issued warnings over tainted drug supply in July. So far, the province’s chief medical examiner has confirmed a total of 9 cocaine-related deaths in the past 30 days. While it has not been revealed whether fentanyl played a role … Continued

DATAC is excited to announce our next webinar Sept 26, 2023 Drug testing in the Canadian Courts, with Calgary lawyer Stephen Torscher. In this webinar we will take a look at the current legal landscape of drug testing in Canada inlcuding case law and recent arbitrations concerning drug testing decisions. Influential decisions will be discussed … Continued

A recent article published by Radio Canada International (RCI) and authored by Jonathon Gatehouse discussed the limitations of harm reductions measures taken by the government over the last years as the number of opioid-related drug overdoses grows and exceeds all previous records.  Furthermore, the article points out the focus of the overdose prevention measures being … Continued

Earlier in August, a new drug-checking site, Spectrum, was launched in Edmonton to allow individuals to analyze drug samples to screen for the presence of dangerous adulterants. The site employs a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer which can detect substances including cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, and fentanyl. Spectrum was created by the Queer and Trans … Continued

In a recent interview with Global News’ 640 Toronto hosted by Alex Pierson, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke out strongly against drug decriminalization, saying the concept is the “craziest thing I’ve ever heard.” “I will do everything I can to fight this. Again, this goes up to the federal government. They cannot be following up … Continued

Earlier in June, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett, said that early indicators demonstrate that decriminalization of small amounts of hard drugs in B.C. is helping to save lives by reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in the province.   In January, Health Canada allowed B.C. to decriminalize personal possession of small amounts of … Continued

Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) led by Dr. Jason Hein, have created a new, portable drug testing machine, which they tested at the Shambhala Music festival held from July 21 – July 24 near Nelson, B.C.  Since current drug testing tools are not portable, the research group created a prototype that aims … Continued