Know What’s In It

Why does this matter?

Drug markets are ever-changing and unpredictable. The local drug supply often contains substances you may not know are included. Drugs sold as opioids, such as fentanyl, heroin, or oxy, may or may not actually contain any opioids, may contain different opioids than expected, and may contain other substances like xylazine, Benadryl, lidocaine, medetomidine, BTMPS, or others.

Knowing what’s in your drugs can save your life, reduce the risk of wounds, and help keep you safe. Nobody wants a life-or-death surprise. When you know what you’re using, you can take steps to stay safer. Use the tips below to stay informed and stay safe.

Drug Checking

Testing drugs before you use them gives information that can help you make decisions to reduce risk. Test doses are very small amounts of a substance that is analyzed to assess the drug composition.

How can I test a sample?

Maryland’s Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) program tests paraphernalia that is voluntarily provided by Syringe Services Program (SSP) participants. In partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), test results are provided back to SSPs and participants.

The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Check It program is a comprehensive drug checking service in Baltimore, providing results about what’s in a drug sample in minutes. The Check It van visits rotating sites in various Baltimore City neighborhoods and provides drug checking, wound care, telemedicine, and other overdose prevention services. Click here for the Check It program’s updated schedule and contact information.

Mind Your Mix

Mixing drugs such as opioids with alcohol, benzodiazepines, etc. can all slow breathing and heart rate.

  • Non-prescribed pills can contain mixtures that you are unaware of.
      • Taking more than one prescription medication at a time can be dangerous.
      • If you are using street drugs, assume they may be mixed with other substances unless you’ve tested them yourself. Drug checking is one of the most important steps you can take to stay safe.
  • Mindful Mixing
    • If you choose to mix drugs, plan ahead to reduce the risk.
      • Start with smaller “tester” shots or hits
      • Use one drug at a time and wait a few minutes before using another drug
      • Change your source if your drugs aren’t what you expected, like finding a new seller
      • Choose not to use if you’re unsure what’s in it
  • Tips to stay safer:

Naloxone Saves

Opioid overdose can happen to anyone. Every second counts in an overdose. Carry naloxone. Be prepared to save a life.

Compassionate Overdose Response

When someone overdoses, they need help, not judgment. When helping with an overdose, it is important to lead with compassion.

High-dose and long-acting opioid overdose reversal drugs (OORDs) can worsen withdrawal effects in people experiencing opioid overdoses. Compassionate overdose response emphasizes the restoration of breathing while reducing the intense effects of withdrawal. The principles of compassionate overdose response were developed to prioritize the people who use drugs by reducing the severe effects of high-dose and long-acting OORDs. Compassionate overdose response focuses on the minimal amount of naloxone or other OORDs needed to reverse an overdose. For more information, please visit: Compassionate Overdose Response Summit.

Never Use Alone

For more information, visit: Fentanyl is Here. Go Slow. Have a Plan

Steps to Administer Naloxone

Additional Resources