CanTEST
The CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service, also known as pill testing, is a free and confidential health and harm reduction service
Operating hours
Wait time
No or N/A (typically no waiting times)After hours support
NoIntake Phone Number
N/ADescription
CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service (or pill testing service) is a free and confidential health and harm reduction service. You can access the service to discuss any health needs you may have with a nurse, and/or have your pills or drugs tested. CanTEST is a completely free and confidential service, delivered by Directions Health Services in partnership with CAHMA and Pill Testing Australia, funded by ACT Health.
CanTEST opened to the public from July 2022 and is open every Thursday from 10am to 1pm and every Friday from 6pm to 9pm on the Ground Floor, inside the City Community Health Centre 1 Moore Street, Canberra City.
Testing can be a quick as 20 minutes, but may take longer depending on the substance and testing method being used.
For more information click on the Other Information tab or go to the Directions Health Services website.
Documentation
N/AOther exclusions
N/ATreatment type
Specialist ATOD primary health careHarm reduction initiatives
Provide peer interventionsTreatment duration
N/ATreatment goal
Harm reductionDelivery mode
Drop in, no appointment requiredPublic transport support available
N/A
ACT and NSW residents
Accepts ACT residentsAccepts NSW residents
Phones permitted
N/ASmoking permitted
N/AFees
No feesAdditional program description
How long does it take?
Testing can be as quick as 20 minutes, but may take longer depending on the substance and testing method being used.
What kind of drugs can be tested?
Pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids can all be tested.
CanTEST may not be able to test some things, like plant material, blotters or dilute solutions.
Why pill testing?
Illicit drug composition is varied and highly unpredictable. Makers of illicit drugs often combine them with other substances, or substitute drugs that are more dangerous. CanTEST can assist with chemical analysis of your pill or drug and help you to make a more informed decision about whether you still want to take the drug and how you manage the risks.
CanTEST, like other similar drug checking and pill testing services, operates on a harm reduction basis only. Illicit drugs are inherently unsafe and testing can’t certify that you won’t suffer an adverse reaction by taking them. Every individual responds differently.
How does it work?
CanTEST is a strictly confidential service. If you’d like your pills or drugs tested, when you arrive you’ll be asked to sign a waiver that states that you understand the limitations of testing and that no drug consumption is safe. ID won’t be requested by CanTEST, and no information regarding the services you have used at CanTEST will be linked to the waiver. All other information is de-identified.
If you would like a drug to be tested, you will need to provide a very small scraping/sample of the pill or drug (as little as a few mg) to our chemical analysts to put through the testing equipment. Once the testing is complete, the service staff at CanTEST will provide you with information about the results and discuss the risks that you may face if you consume the substances found, as well as any other concerns you may have.
You don’t need to have drugs tested to visit CanTEST. If you would only like to see the nurse about a health concern, you won’t need to sign a waiver. All information about your health will be strictly confidential and stored securely, in line with the requirements for health records.
Drug checking is not enough alone.
Have a chat with one of CanTEST’s health professionals or peer educators.
This will enable you to make more informed decisions about your health.
Have a question?
Contact us at CANTEST@directionshealth.com or via social media on @CanTESTCBR (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)
Are you from interstate?
The National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline automatically directs you to the Alcohol and Drug Information Service in your State or Territory
Learn more