Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes, and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, 833 S Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
Office of Policy, Planning, and Statistics, Illinois Department of Public Health, 122. S. Michigan Ave, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60603, USA.
Harm Reduct J. 2023 Oct 17;20(1):151. doi: 10.1186/s12954-023-00882-y.
With many drug-related deaths driven by potent synthetic opioids tainting the illicit drug supply, drug checking services are becoming a key harm reduction strategy. Many drug checking technologies are available, ranging from fentanyl test strips to mass spectrometry. This study aimed to identify key considerations when implementing drug checking technologies and services to support harm reduction initiatives.
Key informant interviews were conducted with harm reduction stakeholders throughout Illinois. Participants included members of existing drug checking services and recovery centers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded by two researchers using the framework method. Findings were contextualized according to micro (client)-, meso (organization)-, and macro (policy)-level themes.
Seven interviews were conducted with ten participants. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was consistently identified as a technology of choice given its accuracy, range of substance detection, portability, and usability. Recommendations included the use of confirmatory testing, which can help address the limitations of technologies and provide a mechanism to train technicians. Locations of drug checking services should maximize public health outreach and leverage existing harm reduction agencies and staff with lived experience, who are critical to developing trust and rapport with clients. Criminalization and loss of privacy were major concerns for clients using drug checking services. Additional issues included the need to raise awareness of the legitimacy of services through public support from governing bodies, and funding to ensure the sustainability of drug checking services.
This research facilitated the identification of issues and recommendations from stakeholders around key considerations for the adoption of drug checking technologies, which not only included the cost and technical specifications of instrumentation, but also broader issues such as accessibility, privacy, and well-trained personnel trusted by clients of the service. Successful implementation of drug checking services requires knowledge of local needs and capacity and an in-depth understanding of the target population.
由于受强力合成阿片类药物污染的非法药物供应导致许多与药物相关的死亡，药物检测服务正成为一项重要的减少伤害策略。有许多药物检测技术可供选择，从芬太尼检测条到质谱仪。本研究旨在确定实施药物检测技术和服务以支持减少伤害计划的关键考虑因素。
在伊利诺伊州各地与减少伤害利益相关者进行了关键知情人访谈。参与者包括现有的药物检测服务和康复中心的成员。两名研究人员使用框架方法对访谈进行记录、转录和编码。根据微观（客户）、中观（组织）和宏观（政策）层面的主题对调查结果进行了背景化处理。
对十名参与者进行了七次访谈。傅里叶变换红外光谱技术因其准确性、物质检测范围、便携性和易用性而被一致认为是首选技术。建议包括使用确证测试，这有助于解决技术的局限性，并为培训技术人员提供一种机制。药物检测服务的地点应最大限度地扩大公共卫生服务范围，并利用现有的减少伤害机构和具有经验的工作人员，他们对与客户建立信任和融洽关系至关重要。客户对药物检测服务的刑事定罪和隐私丧失表示严重关切。其他问题包括需要通过管理机构的公众支持来提高对服务合法性的认识，以及确保药物检测服务可持续性的资金。
这项研究有助于从利益相关者那里确定有关药物检测技术采用的关键考虑因素的问题和建议，这些因素不仅包括仪器的成本和技术规格，还包括更广泛的问题，如可及性、隐私和客户信任的训练有素的人员。药物检测服务的成功实施需要了解当地的需求和能力，并深入了解目标人群。
