Exploring drug checking services for people who use drugs: Pre-implementation study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Harm Reduction
• Drug Policy

Background:

• Rising adulterants in street drugs increase overdose risk for people who use drugs (PWUD).
• Single-drug test strips are insufficient for identifying multiple adulterants.
• Community-based drug checking services (DCS) using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) are emerging as overdose prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing FTIR-based DCS among potential participants.
• To inform the pre-implementation of Michigan's first DCS utilizing FTIR technology.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 25 potential DCS participants in three focus groups and one interview.
• Semi-structured interviews guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
• Rapid thematic qualitative analysis of transcribed focus group and interview data.

Main Results:

• Primary barrier: fear of police targeting. Other barriers include confidentiality concerns, testing wait times, and negative community perceptions.
• Key facilitators: trusted agency staff, information sharing through PWUD social networks, and extended service hours.
• Participants viewed FTIR as valuable for safer drug use, increased autonomy, and overdose prevention.

Conclusions:

• DCS utilizing FTIR can inform PWUD about dangerous drug supply adulterants.
• FTIR-based DCS can enhance user autonomy in making informed decisions.
• Implementing FTIR-DCS is a promising strategy for reducing overdose risk.