Harm Reduction Strips: Instructions For Use

FOR FORENSIC USE ONLY
Warning: Not intended to confirm substance purity. Exercise safety and use with caution.

Instructions For Use

How to drug check for suspicious substances in your (liquid/powder) sample. NOTE: The orange strip handle color is for visual reference only and may vary. Always identify the correct strip by label and pouch, not color alone.

What You Need

Test Strip
Test Strip
Small Container or Bottle Cap
Small Container or Bottle Cap
5-10ml of Water
5-10ml of Water
Timer
Timer

Quick Steps

Prepare Sample
1

Prepare Sample

Evenly crush tablet or pill into a fine consistent powder. Keep strip sealed in pouch until ready to use.

Mix With Water
2

Mix With Water

Add one micro scoop of sample to 5 mL of water (one bottle cap). Mix thoroughly until fully dissolved.

Use Strip
3

Use Strip

Remove strip from pouch and use immediately (use within 1 hour after opening). Hold the strip by the colored end. Do Not touch the white middle section or the wavy area. Insert vertically into the solution . Do not dip past MAX line. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

Read Results
4

Read Results

Remove strip from the solution and lay it down flat on a clean surface. Make sure colored side and wavy lines are face up. Start timer and wait for colored lines to appear (read results in section below).

Preliminary screening only. Negative results do not guarantee safety. Check expiration date and do not use test 1 hour after opening pouch.

Interpretation of Results

Lay strip flat with wavy lines facing up. Read within 5 minutes. Do not read after 10 minutes.

Positive (Substance May Be Detected)

Only one red colored line appears in the control region (C), and no line appears in the test region (T).

Negative (Substance Not Detected)

Two colored lines appear = One in the control region (C) and one in the test region (T). NOTE: Even a faint line in the test region (T) should be seen as a negative result. The intensity of the line may vary.

Invalid

No lines appear or the control line (C) is missing. If this happens repeat with a new strip and a fresh sample.

These strips are screening tools only. Results reflect only what was detected in that sample.

Important Use Notes

Read before acting on results.

  • Use a new strip for each test. Do not reuse.
  • Do not use strips from damaged or unsealed pouches.
  • Check expiration date and store at room temperature. Do not freeze.
  • A negative result does not guarantee safety.
  • Uneven distribution in samples may affect results. Retesting may help.

When Results Don't Match What You're Seeing

  • Retest with a fresh strip and new sample.
  • Consider screening for additional substances.
  • Always follow guidance from the program or organization that provided your test strips or contact your program if interpretation is unclear.

For forensic and harm reduction use only. Not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. Screening results are preliminary. Confirmatory laboratory testing is required for definitive identification. Results are qualitative only (detected/not detected).

Questions About Your Harm Reduction Program?

If you’re a program or organization looking for support, tools, or training, contact us or learn more.

Learn more