Drug Checking Working Group
CCSA acts as secretariat for the national Drug Checking Working Group. Formed in 2015, the group provides a nationwide platform for communication and learning among drug checking initiatives as technologies evolve, service models are being tested and new jurisdictions take up drug checking.
The Drug Checking Working Group is made up of service providers, researchers and policy makers interested in developing, implementing and scaling up harm reduction services across Canada. Members also include representatives from health authorities, provincial and municipal governments, and Health Canada. The working group currently includes representatives from services in British Columbia, the Yukon, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
The Drug Checking Working Group has inspired and enabled several key initiatives and collaborations, and regularly contributes information to the Canadian Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use. It continues to improve coordination and collaboration among drug checking services and helps develop and sustain existing and new services across Canada.