Emerging synthetic cannabinoids detected by a drug checking service in Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Background

Toronto’s Drug Checking Service (DCS) provides people who use drugs with information on the chemical composition of their substances and conducts real-time monitoring of the unregulated drug supply. Presented are first known data of three newly detected synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in Toronto, Ontario.

Methods

The present data are from samples analyzed between April and November 2020. Samples were collected at partnering harm reduction agencies in Toronto and analyzed using gas or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. An intake survey queried about the sample characteristics on submission, including expected drug(s).

Results

Samples were analyzed between 1 April and 20 November 2020 (N = 19), which marks the period immediately following imposed COVID-19 border and movement restrictions in Canada. The newly detected, unexpected SCs were ACHMINACA (n = 15), AB-FUBINACA (n = 3), and 4-fluoro-MDMB-BUTINACA (n = 1). Fentanyl was expected in 74% (n = 14). Most SCs were detected in samples containing fentanyl or related analogues (n = 18; 95%), or benzodiazepine-related drugs (i.e., etizolam and flualprazolam) (n = 15; 79%).

Conclusions

This information can inform overdose prevention efforts and drug market monitoring of SCs in Toronto and regions served by the same drug trafficking routes. The detection of SCs during a period marked by COVID-19-related restrictions can contribute to efforts to identify global drug market trends during this time.

Keywords:

• CNS/psychological
• complications of poisoning
• opioids
• analgesics
• pharmaceuticals

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge our partnering harm reduction agencies – Moss Park Consumption and Treatment Service, Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre (Queen West and Parkdale), South Riverdale Community Health Centre, and The Works at Toronto Public Health – and partnering laboratories (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and St. Michael’s Hospital). The authors thank the Community Advisory Board for Toronto’s DCS for their guidance.

Toronto’s DCS is supported by an operating grant from Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program, and the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation. Dr. Werb is supported by the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation. Ms. Maghsoudi is supported by a CIHR Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. Dr. Bowles is supported by the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation.

The authors acknowledge that the land on which we are conducting our research is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and Wendat peoples, now also home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

The authors acknowledge those that have lost their lives – both in the ongoing drug poisoning crisis and long before – due to policies of drug criminalization.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by an operating grant from Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (Award #1718-HQ-000027, Recipient: Dan Werb, PhD) and the St. Michael's Hospital Foundation.