Participants will recognize how drug checking services reduce overdose risk and explore the evolving risks of an unpredictable drug supply. They will also learn how to integrate drug checking education into harm reduction strategies, connect clients to available resources, and collaborate with partners to support safer use and informed decision-making.

Agenda:

1. Introduction
2. Current Drug Supply Landscape
   1. Lack of consumer protections for people who use drugs
   2. Volatility and unpredictability of the illicit drug supply
   3. Lag between changes in supply and awareness of harms
   4. Lived experience example illustrating delayed recognition of xylazine-related harm
3. Clinical and public health consequences of unknown substances
   1. Relationship between drug supply changes and:
      1. Overdose risk
      2. Wound development
      3. Delayed care-seeking
      4. Drug checking as a harm reduction response
4. Role of Drug Checking in Harm Reduction
   1. Definition of drug checking
   2. How drug checking:
      1. Reduces overdose risk
      2. Supports informed decision-making
      3. Leads to behavior change
      4. Informs local interventions and outreach strategies
5. Types of Drug Checking Services
   1. Distributable tools
   2. Immunoassay test strips
   3. Reagent test kits
   4. Point-of-service drug checking
   5. Laboratory-based analytical testing
   6. LC/GC-MS, QTOF, FTIR
   7. Tradeoffs: cost, time, complexity
   8. Clarifying what drug checking is not
   1. Urine toxicology screens
6. Nuances and Best Practices
   1. High prevalence of fentanyl in Pennsylvania
   2. Appropriate deployment of fentanyl test strips for stimulant users
   3. False positives and cross-reactivity
   4. Counseling points:
   5. “Test shot” concept
   6. Start low, go slow
   7. Following package instructions
7. Legal Status of Drug Checking in Pennsylvania
   1. Overview of Act 111 (2022)
   2. What is legal to possess and distribute
   3. Implications for COE operations
8. Access to Drug Checking Services
   1. Community-based access points
   2. Mail-based drug checking programs
   3. Anonymous and voluntary participation
   4. Rapid identification of local drug supply changes
9. Integrating Drug Checking into COE Practice
10. How COEs can incorporate drug checking education
11. Linking clients to drug checking resources
12. Partnering with harm reduction organizations
13. Using drug checking data to inform outreach and care planning
14. Key Takeaways
15. Skill Practice
16. Discussion