〽️Service Stats & Updates
As of Tuesday July 7, 2026...
22, 607 samples analyzed
Serving 207 harm reduction programs
Reaching 281 counties in 44 states
522 unique substances identified
Don't miss the ACDC Drug Checking Summit!
Looking to expand your knowledge of drug checking and connect with others from across the field? Join the virtual ACDC Drug Checking Summit for several days of engaging presentations, practical discussions, and the latest updates in harm reduction and drug checking- all from the comfort of your home or office. Register today and learn from experts and colleagues working to advance drug checking services!
📦 Service Updates
CRUSHED BOX?! 😱 No worries!
Our shipping materials are built to protect your samples!
The photo above is from a recent shipment that arrived with a badly crushed box. Fortunately, every sample vial inside was completely intact thanks to the shipping materials included in our kits. While we truly appreciate programs wanting to purchase their own shipping supplies, this is exactly why we ask that only our provided boxes, labels, and packing materials be used. These materials have been selected to help protect your samples and ensure they arrive safely for analysis!
Reminder: Updated Mailing Address for Checks
If your program pays by check, please note our updated mailing address below. This information is included on all invoices and invoice emails, but in case you missed it, please use the following address for future payments:
UNC Street Drug Analysis Lab (IPRC)
Attn: Nab Dasgupta
725 MLK Jr. Blvd
Campus Box 7505
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7505
Musicians for Overdose Prevention T-Shirt Memorial at NC State Capitol
Watch this powerful tribute from Musicians for Overdose Prevention and the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition honoring the lives lost to overdose since 2020. Learn how you can help commemorate those we've lost.
🔎Ketamine Mixes
There's two types of ketamine, S-ketamine and R-ketamine. S-ketamine is the active ingredient in Spravato, a prescription depression nasal spray, and it's about twice as strong as racemic ketamine and four times that of R-ketamine. Most other ketamine, including standard medical ketamine is racemic, a 50/50 mix of R and S.
Findings show that street ketamine is also usually a 50/50 mix, resembling standard ketamine. So what's causing the differences in varying effects reported? It more likely comes down to purity, cutting agents, or dose. Not a shift in ketamine form. Read more here.
Note: We do not do this kind of detailed separation at our lab.
📖 Reading Room
Read up on articles we found engaging or maybe watch a video about-
FDA: Starting Doses of Buprenorphine to Reduce Non-Fatal Overdoses and Prevent Mortality
AJPH: Naloxone Distribution in the United States, 2018–2023. Naloxone distributed to non–health care settings increased from 1.39 million units in 2018 to 16.1 million in 2023.
Assembly: From One Recovery to Another. How does a natural disaster affect recovery from substance use? Learn how Hurricane Helene disrupted treatment and recovery services across North Carolina and the lessons it offers for supporting communities before, during, and after a crisis. Find out about Building a Safety Net for Harm Reduction During Disasters!
Good coverage of cannabis in The Assembly!
Barbers? Narcan? See how everyday community members are making a difference!
Community News: Durham's HEART program shows major drop in crime reports since inception, reshapes crisis response
Cumberland County NC:Using Demographic and Substance Use Features to Predict Suspected Xylazine-Associated Wound Development Among People Who Use Drugs in North Carolina
Filter: Appalachians Want to Use Mobile Syringe Programs, If They’re Discreet
Health Affairs: New ICD Codes For Xylazine-Associated Wounds: A Critical Tool, But Only If They’re Widely Implemented
Hot Press: The Joint Committee on Drugs Use Final Report could herald the biggest shake up of drug laws in the history of the Irish state
Nature: Researchers and science publishers need to seize the opportunity offered by the drastic shifts in the way news is produced — one reason Nature has joined TikTok. The Future of Science.
Check out Remedy Alliance's 2025 Impact Report!
Stat News:Treatment for alcohol addiction is undergoing a seismic shift. Many say it’s overdue
Science Direct: Pharmacokinetics of xylazine and fentanyl in patients presenting to the emergency department after non-fatal opioid overdose.
🤗 Opportunities for Impact
Please send us job postings, conferences, proposals, and other events for you harm reduction baddies and we will highlight in our next newsletter!
Wake County NC is looking for a Drug & Injury Prevention Unit Manager!
Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition is hiring a new Director of Operations! Read more below.
Defining Practice: Competencies for Drug Checking Technicians, a new toolkit, has been released to support the growth and professional development of the drug checking workforce. Developed through international collaboration with experienced drug checking technicians, the resource outlines core competencies, skill development, and guidance for training and supervision. While designed primarily for FTIR-based drug checking programs serving people who use drugs, many of the lessons can be adapted to fit a variety of program settings. Check it out!
🏆 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. 💖
Thanks from the Opioid Data Lab team!
