Drug & Alcohol Testing Industry News
Three new substances detected in Australian drug samples
The drug testing site CanTEST in Canberra, Australia reported that three new recreational drugs have been detected in its samples. The three new substances were initially tested as inconclusive at CanTEST, and were forwarded for further testing for laboratory testing...
DATAC’s DOT Oral Fluid Course Now Available!
The time has come to start learning all there is to know about DOT Oral Fluid Collections! DATAC’s Oral Fluid Certification specialization course is now available to collectors who are already certified to collect DOT specimens. Oral Fluid Collector...
Winnipeg mobile overdose prevention site obtains winter funding
Sunshine House, Manitoba's only mobile overdose prevention site, received over $375,000 in funding for the unit in December 2023 as part of its fundraising initiative. Specifically, Sunshine House has operated as an RV in Winnipeg and provided individuals harm...
Toronto’s drug checking pilot to expand
In November of 2023, the Toronto Drug Checking Service announced its plans to expand its service, after receiving a new federal grant from Health Canada for the recipients of the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). The grant will provide $21 million in funds...
Windsor struggles to combat toxic drug supply
As Ontario is grappling with a growing drug poisoning crisis, health workers in the Windsor region have been increasingly faced with the challenge of harm reduction as new and increasingly deadly street drugs emerge. In 2022, fentanyl was a factor in the majority of...
Alberta opioid deaths reach record levels
According to recent data released by the Alberta provincial government, 1,411 Albertans died from opioid poisonings in 2023 compared to 1,124 at the same time last year, which corresponds to a more than 25% increase over nine months. Earlier in 2023, the Alberta...
Update on medicinal cannabis use in Canada
Health Canada published updated data on cannabis use for medical purposes in 2023, looking at usage and prescription patterns amongst other things. The Canadian government originally granted access to medical cannabis to individuals diagnosed with severe illnesses...
Canada works hard to stop illegal drugs crossing border
A recent article published by CBC News and authored by Christian Paas-Lang examined Canada’s efforts and challenges to stop illegal drugs at the border. As the toxic drug crisis continues, smugglers have been employing increasingly creative and complex ways to...
Changes coming for alcohol sales in Ontario
Over the last months, Premier Doug Ford's government has been carrying out closed-door consultations with alcohol industry leaders in order to bring change to alcohol sale regulations in Ontario. While the primary goal of the alcohol reforms is to fulfill Ford’s 2018...