〽️Service Stats & Updates

As of Tuesday March 24, 2026...
19,103 samples analyzed
Serving 192 harm reduction programs
Reaching 296 counties in 43 states
488 unique substances identified

🔎 New Substances Detected

Here are the 15 new things we found in the drug supply last month. You can see the full list here, updated monthly. Just because we are seeing it for the first time, doesn't mean it hasn't been circulating already.

• Bromantane – Russian adaptogen/stimulant, used for fatigue and cognitive enhancement
• Modafinil – Prescription wakefulness agent (narcolepsy); widely used off-label as a cognitive enhancer (Provigil) 

Dissociatives / Novel Psychoactives

• 3-Methoxy-2-oxo PCP – Novel dissociative, PCP analog
• 2C-C – Phenethylamine psychedelic (Shulgin compound)
• 5-MeO-DiPT – Tryptamine psychedelic ("Foxy Methoxy")
• Isophenidine (isopropylphenidine) – Dissociative NMDA antagonist, research chemical

Opioid-Adjacent / Kratom

• Dihydro-7-hydroxy mitragynine (MGM-15) – Potent semi-synthetic kratom alkaloid derivative with opioid activity

Anabolic Steroids / Hormones

• Oxymetholone – Anabolic steroid (Anadrol)
• Exemestane – Aromatase inhibitor used in steroid cycling and breast cancer treatment
• Fluoxymesterone – Potent anabolic/androgenic steroid (Halotestin)

Pharmaceuticals (unexpected in drug supply)

• Nabumetone – NSAID (anti-inflammatory)
• Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim – Antibiotic combination (Bactrim/Septra)
• Meclizine – Antihistamine/antiemetic (motion sickness)
• Propylene glycol – Solvent/excipient, not typically a standalone drug supply findings

👩🏽‍🔬 Lab Visits

We were delighted to host Union County NC. Thanks for driving all the way to discuss the benefits of drug checking and checking out where the magic happens!

Congrats to the New Dr on our Team! 🎓

We want to give a special shoutout to our team member David, who successfully defended his dissertation this month, an incredible accomplishment! We’re so proud of his hard work and dedication, and grateful to have him as part of our team.

📦 Service Updates

Thank you all for your continued partnership. We appreciate the important work you do in your communities!

• Samples are always voluntary, and individuals must have access to their results!
• Please do not share kits between programs-reach out to us if needed
• Use only the materials and labels we provide and ship via FedEx only
• Do not add water to vials; if solution has evaporated (around 3 months), that’s okay, just contact us
• Be mindful of shipping timelines when ordering and returning kits

Data Cards Reminder
Please fill out data cards as thoroughly as possible. Knowing the expected substance helps ensure accurate lab analysis, and sensations data are critical for understanding changes in potency and composition in the drug supply.

Mailer Update (Effective May 1)
Starting May 1, there will be a $10 fee for additional mailers for all programs, including those in North Carolina. One mailer is provided per 5 kits. We do not want you holding onto 1-2 samples for an extended time but also you can send more than 5 samples back in a box if necessary! This change helps us cover rising material and shipping costs, and we appreciate your understanding.

Thanks again and happy drug checking!

📖 Reading Room

Read up on articles we found engaging or maybe watch a video about-

Vital Strategies' Vital Stories: Q&A with Indigenous Harm Reduction Program Leaders Philomena Kebec, Kaya Littleturtle and Tiffany Pyette

StatNews: America must not learn to live with 72,000 overdose deaths a year
Why are we celebrating a death toll that exceeds total American combat fatalities in Vietnam every year?

Bellingcat: New Footage Shows Wanted Kinahan Cartel Kingpins Post-Sanctions

MBPOnline: As Mississippi waits to spend opioid settlement funds, children and families suffer

The Herald Sun: Probe confirms NC juvenile detention problems. Some kids locked up, isolated.

Take a look at Kentucky's Just Say Yes Icelandic Model ⬇️

🤗 Opportunities for Impact

Job postings, conferences, proposals, and other events for you harm reduction baddies! If you have a job posting or event you'd like us to highlight, please be in touch.

Join MAHEC for Community Wound Care: Strategies to Address Wounds Associated with Substance Use, Homelessness, and Trauma. It is a full day training and you can learn more here!

NCHRC is hiring a Outreach Specialist for Harnett County.

Guilford County & NC Survivor's Union are hiring a Peer Support Specialist!

We also want to shoutout Guilford County for installing a no cost naloxone vending machine!! The vending machine provides free access to naloxone, wound care kits, and fentanyl and xylazine test strips. See more here.

Need drug checking training? You may missed sample collection training for this month but head over to Remedy Alliance Drug Checking for the People to stay updated for more upcoming trainings!

🏆 Box of the Month

Sometimes our amazing partners write us a warm message, doodle or draw a picture on the return boxes we send out. This is in no way a requirement (♻️ we reuse the boxes), but we love receiving the random surprises!

Each month, we will showcase boxes we love. Send us more doodles and notes! They sustain us. 💖

No box this month but we received these really adorable items! We appreciate all the goodies that we receive 😄

Thanks for reading!!!