Latest news with #BTNX
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Company to distribute instant test to detect date rape drug in Hamilton
A local non-profit is partnering with a biotechnology company to distribute a new rapid-response testing kit for date rape drugs ahead of the upcoming school year. The kit, which comes in the shape of a card that can be tucked into a wallet or phone case, allows individuals to test for GHB — a synthetic drug scientifically known as gamma hydroxybutyrate, used to spike drinks. It renders people drowsy, disoriented or unconscious and often causes severe memory loss. 'You dip your finger in your drink, whatever it is, rub it on this card, and then it tells you within 60 seconds if there's GHB in it or not,' explains Mike Murphy, chief revenue officer for BTNX, a company that first became well-known in Canada for its COVID-19 rapid response antigen test during the pandemic. Positive test results for GHB range in colour depending on the type and hue of the drink being tested. The Hub, which assists high-risk youth in areas of addiction, homelessness and poverty in Hamilton, and is working with BTNX on this new initiative, is no stranger to GHB-fuelled assaults in the city. 'It's definitely a problem that we've had to deal with,' says executive director Jen Bonner. Hamilton police have made numerous drug busts in the past that feature seizures of GHB. There is also a recent sexual assault case in Hamilton in which the accused was also charged with possession of GHB. 'Sexual assault is a very under-reported crime and a big reason for this is because GHB only stays in your system for a short period of time,' explains Bonner, noting that victims have a tough time trying to prove that they were drugged through regular methods like urine tests. BTNX and the Hub also plan to distribute the GHB tests — free during the initial rollout, but eventually costing around $9 or $10 per card, which contains four tests — to incoming freshmen at colleges and universities in the Hamilton region during the last week of August, accompanied by an educational and social media campaign. Currently, around 150 students from Mohawk College's police programs and McMaster University's medical programs volunteer year-round at the Hub, and they will also become important conduits of information for incoming freshmen. 'The conversation came up just organically between Mike and me about how first-year students maybe need some guidance and education on what the first weeks of college look like, being that this is the first time they're away from home,' says Bonner, who has also been distributing BTNX's test strips for xylazine and fentanyl to her clients — as has the city's public health department. 'We all know that our first year in university is party time, so this addresses how we can also empower them to be safe,' she adds. Miranda Jurilj, public education co-ordinator at SACHA — Sexual Assault Centre (Hamilton and Area), said the first stretch of the fall semester in university is known as 'the red zone.' 'Some studies have shown that over 50 per cent of the sexual assaults that happen every year on college campuses occur within this initial six- to eight-week period. So, I think it very important that we see increased efforts during this time when these students are away from their support systems and communities for the first time in their lives,' adds Jurilj. BTNX also has plans to roll out the initiative to Hamilton-area clubs and bars, so they can distribute the GHB-testing strips to their patrons, said Murphy, who grew up in Hamilton and went to McMaster. So, does the test work? Bonner says the Hub has already test-driven the BTNX strips used to detect GHB, which is also available as a prescription medication to treat sleep disorders. 'We sent them out to people who we know use GHB on a personal basis. They reported back that it was pretty effective.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
24-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Could at-home test strips prevent drug deaths? Experts say yes, but it's complicated
Canadians are dying alone from toxic drugs and experts say easier access to at-home drug-testing strips could help prevent deaths. But they warn the strips have limitations. Dr. Nash Denic, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical examiner, says that though the strips aren't perfect, they can be useful in detecting if some toxins are present. He would like to see a government-led pilot project to distribute the strips along with naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. "There is a possibility that harm can be reduced. Especially if you're a novice and you're trying a different type of drug, you want to test it first," said Denic, adding that if used properly, test strips "can save your life." Dr. Alexander Caudarella, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, also sees a benefit in making test strips more available to people in their homes. "We know most of the people in this country are not dying on the streets — they're dying behind locked doors in their own apartments or houses," said Caudarella. The strips can be part of a larger strategy to stay safe, which includes not consuming drugs alone, he said. But there are caveats. The tests need to be used properly and they won't say how much contaminant is present, only that it's there. The number of toxins they can detect is limited. Fentanyl test strips, for example, won't pick up newer opioids, Caudarella says. "It's not going to tell people exactly what's in their drugs, but we find these tools can be really important to help people understand just how contaminated the drugs that they're buying are," he said. This is especially important for people who believe their drugs are safe because they purchased them from a website or a person they trust, he added. BTNX Inc.'s Rapid Response tests are among the most widely used tests strips in Canada. The Ontario-based company has strips for contaminants including fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepine and nitazene. The company's website says clearly that the strips don't test for drug purity or safety — they can only say if the target contaminant is present. The strips can be purchased in Canada online, or they can be found at safe consumption sites or through other harm reduction services. They are placed in a small amount of the drug, which has been dissolved in water. A line appears on the strip to indicate the presence of contaminants. For those who need the strips immediately, and who may not use or have access to harm reduction services, options are limited. BTNX is still working to offer them for sale in large retail chains, spokesperson Molly McKay said. The company is also aware the test strips can miss toxic contaminants. "We're continuously working with our third-party researchers to determine what those blind spots are, and then we make corrections," said McKay. Two teenagers died this year in Newfoundland and Labrador after taking pills contaminated with nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, and bromazolam, a benzodiazepine which can be lethal when taken with opioids, says Denic. Xylazine, a veterinary sedative, is a common contaminant in cocaine. And fentanyl deaths in the province show no signs of abating, though they've recently been overtaken by cocaine. Test strips could help people stay safer from some of these toxins, Denic says. A positive test result may convince someone not to use the drug or to use much less of it. Ian Culbert, executive director of the Canadian Public Health Association, says ideally, it would be easier for people to have their drugs checked by more advanced equipment, like the tests available at some safe consumption sites in the country. Their results are more accurate, and they can be used to track contaminants in the local drug supply. "In most parts of the country, you can walk into any community pharmacy and request a take-home naloxone kit. That is how accessible well-developed drug-checking tests should be," said Culbert. But still, take-home test strips are "better than nothing," he said. Some have misguided beliefs that expanding drug-checking services will ultimately encourage more drug use, Culbert says, and worries those ideas turn decision-makers away from making it easier to check and test drugs. "There is a continuum of public health interventions that all can help reduce the number of deaths associated with the toxic drug crisis. Drug checking is one of them," Culbert said. "We need to be investing across the spectrum, not just ideologically picking the ones that suit the agenda of the government of the day."
National Observer
24-04-2025
- Health
- National Observer
Could at-home test strips prevent drug deaths? Some experts say yes, but it's complicated
Canadians are dying alone from toxic drugs and experts say easier access to at-home drug-testing strips could help prevent deaths. But they warn the strips have limitations. Dr. Nash Denic, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical examiner, says that though the strips aren't perfect, they can be useful in detecting if some toxins are present. He would like to see a government-led pilot project to distribute the strips along with naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. "There is a possibility that harm can be reduced. Especially if you're a novice and you're trying a different type of drug, you want to test it first," Denic said in an interview, adding that if used properly, test strips 'can save your life." Dr. Alexander Caudarella, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, also sees a benefit in making test strips more available to people in their homes. "We know most of the people in this country are not dying on the streets — they're dying behind locked doors in their own apartments or houses," Caudarella said in a recent interview. The strips can be part of a larger strategy to stay safe, which includes not consuming drugs alone, he said. But there are caveats. The tests need to be used properly and they won't say how much contaminant is present, only that it's there. The number of toxins they can detect is limited. Fentanyl test strips, for example, won't pick up newer opioids, Caudarella said. "It's not going to tell people exactly what's in their drugs, but we find these tools can be really important to help people understand just how contaminated the drugs that they're buying are," he said. This is especially important for people who believe their drugs are safe because they purchased them from a website or a person they trust, he added. BTNX Inc.'s Rapid Response tests are among the most widely used tests strips in Canada. The Ontario-based company has strips for contaminants including fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepine and nitazene. The company's website says clearly that the strips don't test for drug purity or safety — they can only say if the target contaminant is present. The strips can be purchased in Canada online, or they can be found at safe consumption sites or through other harm reduction services. They are placed in a small amount of the drug, which has been dissolved in water. A line appears on the strip to indicate the presence of contaminants. For those who need the strips immediately, and who may not use or have access to harm reduction services, options are limited. BTNX is still working to offer them for sale in large retail chains, spokesperson Molly McKay said. The company is also aware the test strips can miss toxic contaminants. "We're continuously working with our third-party researchers to determine what those blind spots are, and then we make corrections," McKay said in an interview. Two teenagers died this year in Newfoundland and Labrador after taking pills contaminated with nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, and bromazolam, a benzodiazepine which can be lethal when taken with opioids, said Denic, the chief medical examiner. Xylazine, a veterinary sedative, is a common contaminant in cocaine. And fentanyl deaths in the province show no signs of abating, though they've recently been overtaken by cocaine. Test strips could help people stay safer from some of these toxins, Denic said. A positive test result may convince someone not to use the drug or to use much less of it. Ian Culbert, executive director of the Canadian Public Health Association, said ideally, it would be easier for people to have their drugs checked by more advanced equipment, like the tests available at some safe consumption sites in the country. Their results are more accurate, and they can be used to track contaminants in the local drug supply. "In most parts of the country, you can walk into any community pharmacy and request a take-home naloxone kit. That is how accessible well-developed drug-checking tests should be," Culbert said in a recent interview. But still, take-home test strips are "better than nothing," he said. Some have misguided beliefs that expanding drug-checking services will ultimately encourage more drug use, Culbert said. He worries those ideas turn decision-makers away from making it easier to check and test drugs. "There is a continuum of public health interventions that all can help reduce the number of deaths associated with the toxic drug crisis. Drug checking is one of them," Culbert said. "We need to be investing across the spectrum, not just ideologically picking the ones that suit the agenda of the government of the day." This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-04-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Could at-home test strips prevent drug deaths? Experts say yes, but it's complicated
ST. JOHN'S – Canadians are dying alone from toxic drugs and experts say easier access to at-home drug-testing strips could help prevent deaths. But they warn the strips have limitations. Dr. Nash Denic, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical examiner, says that though the strips aren't perfect, they can be useful in detecting if some toxins are present. He would like to see a government-led pilot project to distribute the strips along with naloxone kits, which reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. 'There is a possibility that harm can be reduced. Especially if you're a novice and you're trying a different type of drug, you want to test it first,' Denic said in an interview, adding that if used properly, test strips 'can save your life.' Dr. Alexander Caudarella, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, also sees a benefit in making test strips more available to people in their homes. 'We know most of the people in this country are not dying on the streets — they're dying behind locked doors in their own apartments or houses,' Caudarella said in a recent interview. The strips can be part of a larger strategy to stay safe, which includes not consuming drugs alone, he said. But there are caveats. The tests need to be used properly and they won't say how much contaminant is present, only that it's there. The number of toxins they can detect is limited. Fentanyl test strips, for example, won't pick up newer opioids, Caudarella said. 'It's not going to tell people exactly what's in their drugs, but we find these tools can be really important to help people understand just how contaminated the drugs that they're buying are,' he said. This is especially important for people who believe their drugs are safe because they purchased them from a website or a person they trust, he added. BTNX Inc.'s Rapid Response tests are among the most widely used tests strips in Canada. The Ontario-based company has strips for contaminants including fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepine and nitazene. The company's website says clearly that the strips don't test for drug purity or safety — they can only say if the target contaminant is present. The strips can be purchased in Canada online, or they can be found at safe consumption sites or through other harm reduction services. They are placed in a small amount of the drug, which has been dissolved in water. A line appears on the strip to indicate the presence of contaminants. For those who need the strips immediately, and who may not use or have access to harm reduction services, options are limited. BTNX is still working to offer them for sale in large retail chains, spokesperson Molly McKay said. The company is also aware the test strips can miss toxic contaminants. 'We're continuously working with our third-party researchers to determine what those blind spots are, and then we make corrections,' McKay said in an interview. Two teenagers died this year in Newfoundland and Labrador after taking pills contaminated with nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid, and bromazolam, a benzodiazepine which can be lethal when taken with opioids, said Denic, the chief medical examiner. Xylazine, a veterinary sedative, is a common contaminant in cocaine. And fentanyl deaths in the province show no signs of abating, though they've recently been overtaken by cocaine. Test strips could help people stay safer from some of these toxins, Denic said. A positive test result may convince someone not to use the drug or to use much less of it. Ian Culbert, executive director of the Canadian Public Health Association, said ideally, it would be easier for people to have their drugs checked by more advanced equipment, like the tests available at some safe consumption sites in the country. Their results are more accurate, and they can be used to track contaminants in the local drug supply. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. 'In most parts of the country, you can walk into any community pharmacy and request a take-home naloxone kit. That is how accessible well-developed drug-checking tests should be,' Culbert said in a recent interview. But still, take-home test strips are 'better than nothing,' he said. Some have misguided beliefs that expanding drug-checking services will ultimately encourage more drug use, Culbert said. He worries those ideas turn decision-makers away from making it easier to check and test drugs. 'There is a continuum of public health interventions that all can help reduce the number of deaths associated with the toxic drug crisis. Drug checking is one of them,' Culbert said. 'We need to be investing across the spectrum, not just ideologically picking the ones that suit the agenda of the government of the day.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2025.
