August 2026 Monthly Report

Highlighted Findings

• 55.85% (487/872) of samples contained only the expected active
• The median fentanyl concentration found across all drug categories was 2.7%
• The median fluorofentanyl concentration found across all drug categories was 8.0%
• Benzodiazepines were found in 32.4% (59/182) of expected Opioid - Down samples
  • An unknown benzo was found in 23 Opioid - Down samples. Ethylflualprazolam was quantified in 18 Opioid - Down samples with a median concentration of 1.2% and maximum concentration of 36.4%
• Medetomidine was quantified in 10 expected Opioid - Down samples with a median concentration of 1.2% and a maximum concentration of 3.1%
• Nitazenes were not detected in any Opioid - Down samples, but were detected in 8 Opioid - Other samples

Report Insight

This pdf report breaks down our sample counts into six categories:

• Samples received through direct service provision in Victoria, where service users are bringing samples into the Substance storefront. These samples are labelled as “Substance” samples in the figures/tables of this blog post
• Samples received through direct service provision in Campbell River, where service users bring samples either to the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIHMS) or Campbell River AVI Health & Community Services. These samples are labelled as “Campbell River”
• Samples received through direct service provision in the Comox Valley, where service users are bringing samples to AVI Health & Community Services in Courtenay, BC. These samples are labelled as “Comox Valley”
• Samples received through direct service provision in the Cowichan Valley, where service users bring samples to the Duncan Lookout Society OPS in Duncan, BC. These samples are labelled as “Duncan”
• Samples received through direct service provision in Port Alberni, where service users bring samples into Port Alberni Shelter Society’s OPS. These samples are labelled as “Port Alberni”
• Samples received through direct service provision in Port Hardy, where service users bring samples into Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use. These samples are labelled as “Port Hardy”
• Samples received through indirect service provision, where samples are collected through no-contact drop-off envelopes, are collected by harm reduction workers and other community members at supported housing sites, overdose prevention sites, supervised consumption locations, and the Hospital sample submission kiosks located in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Campbell River. These samples are labelled as “Outreach” samples in the figures/tables herein. August's Outreach data includes samples checked at the International Overdose Awareness Day BBQ.

Check back next month for the September report!

As always, send us feedback at substance@uvic.ca on how we can continue to offer our drug checking results in a useful way. 

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