Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
In general, there is concern that heterogeneity of a drug mixture adds significant uncertainty when using drug checking results based on a small subsamples. The presence of hot spots of active drug components in this context is often termed the ‘chocolate chip cookie effect’. Establishing the limitations of the service are essential for interpretation of the results.
Findings/Key points
This study found that the variability in fentanyl concentration from drug heterogeneity and sampling is greater than that attributed to the analytical technique. On a practical level, this provides data to help guide communication of limitations of drug checking services, supporting the aim of trust and transparency between services and people who use drugs. However, if drug checking services continue to be restricted from fully engaging with the reality of manufacturing, buying, selling, mixing and dosing practices, the accuracy, usefulness, and impact will always be limited.
Design/methods
This study assesses the consequence of drug heterogeneity and sampling of consumer level opioid purchased in Victoria, British Columbia (, 50–100 mg each) on quantitative fentanyl results determined from testing with paper spray mass spectrometry.
