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Spectrum Outreach

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Mobile Drug Checking and Education 

Spectrum Drug Checking and Sanctuary Spaces is the first of its kind in Alberta. The program is designed to provide accurate and reliable drug testing services,  education, and resources on harm reduction and safer drug use to the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities at festivals and events throughout Alberta. The program aims to serve individuals who are at high risk of drug-related harm, including those who use substances recreationally or therapeutically. Objectives:

  • To offer drug testing services to festival and event attendees, especially those in the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities, to help them make informed decisions about their drug use and minimize the risk of drug-related harm.

  • To educate festival and event attendees on harm reduction and safe drug use practices, providing resources and support for those who may be struggling with substance use.

  • To establish a safe and inclusive sanctuary for members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities at festivals and events where they can access information, resources, and support related to substance use. 

Services

  • We provide accurate and reliable drug testing services to festival and event attendees, helping them make informed decisions about their drug use and minimizing the risk of drug-related harm.

  • We offer education and resources on harm reduction and safe drug use practices, including safer injection and smoking practices, overdose prevention and response, and safer sex practices.

  • We offer support and resources for those who may be struggling with substance use, including referrals to local treatment and recovery resources.

  • We establish safe and inclusive spaces for members of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ communities at festivals and events where they can access information, resources, and support related to substance use.

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Collaboration and Partnership

Spectrum Drug Checking collaborates with festival and event organizers, government officials, and local law enforcement to ensure that the program is operating in a safe and responsible manner. The program will also work with local harm reduction organizations to provide a comprehensive range of services to festival and event attendees.

Want us to be at your next event? Please contact us for more information: connect@peernpeer.ca

Methods:

We use a mobile FTIR Spectrometer, as well as fentanyl, benzo, and LSD test strips to inform people of what their drugs contain so that they may make informed decisions about their use and how to reduce the potential for harm in the process.

At a festival, a small sample of a drug is placed onto a crystal in the spectrometer, and then infrared light is shone through it. The machine analyzes the way the light interacts with the sample and compares it to a database of known drugs to determine what the drug is made of.

This can be useful at a festival to help people check if the drug they are about to consume contains any dangerous or unexpected substances and to confirm that a drug is what it is claimed to be. It can also help organizers and medical staff understand what types of drugs are being used at the festival and potentially identify patterns of dangerous or adulterated substances.

Learn more about Spectrum Drug Testing here.