Report
by
Toronto’s Drug Checking Service
Release Date
2025
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
Yes
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
No
Findings/Key points
Key to the numerous findings is that Toronto’s Drug Checking Service has identified a “new” high-potency nitazene opioid in Toronto’s unregulated opioid supply – at this time, they believe it to be either isotodesnitazene, protodesnitazene, or etomethazene (considered to be up to 2 times stronger than fentanyl).
Design/methods
163 Illegal drug samples were analyzed at the Toronto Drug Checking Service from Jan 11-24, 2025 using gas chromatography- and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. It includes new methods to quantify methylfentanyl-related drugs, medetomidine, alprazolam (Xanax), and primidone.
Keywords
Benzodiazepines
Drug checking
Illegal drugs
Opioids
Overdose
Stimulants
Xylazine
