Drug checking, where chemical analysis of a drug is performed and the potential consumer is informed of the contents, is a harm reduction practice widely available in Europe and the Americas. This report evaluates fixed site and event-based drug checking services in Queensland, introduced from 2024. 

Key findings

• Service implementation and uptake met expectations.
• Services catered to a diverse client base.
• Services provided valuable harm reduction.
• Services contributed to broader health services in Queensland.

Considerations for future service delivery

• Expanding resourcing would allow for greater scope of service delivery and increased reach into the community.
• Investment in expanded reference libraries and broad analytic capabilities are essential to ensuring services are able to detect newer emerging substances on the unregulated drug market.
• Expanding fixed-site locations or establishing mobile services geared towards more regional areas would increase the reach of drug checking services. 
• Expanding the peer worker role in services would help further integrate lived and living experience into service operations and broaden the scope of staff capabilities.  
• Enhanced public education is needed to increase public awareness and understanding of services.
• Ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including clients, will help ensure services remain relevant and acceptable to current needs.