Drug checking is a drug harm reduction service. Drug checking reduces some of the risks associated with drug consumption and involves testing the composition of a drug to ascertain its likely composition. Drug checking services also provide people with advice on how to reduce risks and harms, and information that can help them make informed decisions about drug use.
Drug checking is regulated under amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 (MoDA), along with the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013, the Medicines Act 1981, and the relevant regulations of those Acts. For drug checking service providers to operate legally, the Director-General of Health must have licensed them.
This publication gives details on the application process, along with general information about the Drug Checking Licensing Scheme for drug checking service providers. The handbook should be read in conjunction with the drug checking licensing scheme provider application form.