Implementing drug checking as an illicit drug market intervention within the supply chain in a Canadian setting

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of the sample (N = 26).

Characteristic	Number (n)
Gender
Male	8
Female	17
Other (gender queer)	1
Age in years
20–24	1
25–29	2
30–44	12
45–60	10
>60	1
Identify as indigenous (First nations, Métis, Inuk (Inuit))
No	20
Yes	6
Sexual orientation
Lesbian, gay, or bisexual	8
Heterosexual or straight	16
Other	2
Frequency of illicit substance use
Daily	11
Weekly	7
Occasionally, not every week	4
Never	4

Table 2. Strategies for drug checking within the supply chain as a market intervention.

Domain	Relevant constructs	Strategies
Outer setting	External policy and incentives	Advocate for policy changes
	Patient needs and resources	Explicit priority to and design to be a market intervention and not just to inform drug use behavior.
	Peer pressure	Focus on messaging around higher demand for quality products
Intervention characteristics	Relative advantage	Ensure outcomes of the intervention exceed the potential risks of criminalization.
	Evidence strength and quality	Provide accurate results with less uncertainty and high confidence Be capable of providing quantification—percentage and potency of ingredients
	Adaptability/design quality and packaging	Provide written print-outs of results rather than only verbal Provide encrypted messaging of results
Inner setting	Structural characteristics	Strive for safe locations without the risk of arrest or public knowledge
	Culture	Ensure cultural safety with services grounded in principles of harm reduction.
Characteristics of individuals	Individual stage of change	Combine knowledgeable, trustworthy peers with knowledgeable, skilled technicians as the individuals implementing the service.
Process	Engaging	Ensure trust and reputation based on peers and through word of mouth Accommodate people testing for sellers (runners)