CanTEST

CanTEST is a harm reduction and pill testing service based in Canberra, Australia.[1] The service is free and confidential, providing chemical analysis and harm reduction advice from registered nurses and qualified peer workers. CanTEST was established in July 2022 and was the first fixed-site pill testing service in Australia. The service was initially granted a six-month pilot but has since been renewed for continuous operation until at least June 2027.[2] The service publishes monthly reports detailing the results of pill testing and harm reduction advice including the average purity of substances and the post-checking likelihood of use.[3] Results from the report indicated that 70% of users had never previously accessed a healthcare worker for information or advice about drug use, with 98% of those using the service recommending it to others.[4]

CanTEST results have since been reported to the community through social media and news articles with the impact of individual test results often reaching beyond the original client. CanTEST has identified multiple drugs which have never been detected anywhere else before, 2F-NENDCK (also known as CanKet) was detected in August 2022.[5] Since CanTEST has begun operations, other trials have been conducted in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.[6] Pill testing has since been banned in Queensland by their choice not to renew the CheQpoint pill-testing facility, however operations are continuing in New South Wales and Victoria as of November 2025.

References

  1. ^ "CanTEST". CanTEST. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  2. ^ "CanTEST drug checking service extended". The ACT Greens. 19 June 2024. p. 1. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Test Results". CanTEST. 2022. Archived from the original on 11 March 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  4. ^ Olsen, A; Baillie, G; Bruno, R; McDonald, D; Hammoud, M; Peacock, A (April 2023). "CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service Program Evaluation: Final Report" (PDF). CanTEST. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  5. ^ Roberts, Georgia (19 October 2022). "Australia's first fixed pill testing service CanTEST discovers new drug, dubbed 'CanKet'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Pill testing in Australia". Alcohol and Drug Foundation. 29 August 2025. Archived from the original on 9 September 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
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