Reagent testing is the process of using one or more reagents to determine the various chemicals contained within a sample of a drug. [1] While less discriminatory than other forms of drug checking (such as mass spectrometry), reagent testing is a useful harm reduction practice due to its relatively low cost and ease of use. [2] Reagent testing is also suitable for use by law enforcement agents for preliminary identification of substances in the field. [3] [4]
(Image of my own reagents?)
As a presumptive test, a single reagent test cannot provide detailed information on exactly what is in the sample in question. However, a reagent test can be used to rule out the presence of a particular substance, [5] [6] which can still be useful. For instance:
In the second case, the user is still exposed to a level of risk from undetected adulterants, but the risk is reduced: they have successfully ruled out the presence of one class of harmful substances in the sample.
Reagent testing does not allow the tester to determine the potency or purity of the drug being tested. [5] [6] While pill scrapings, powders, tabs and most liquids can be tested directly, [8] "geltabs" (small pieces of gelatine with the drug mixed in) are harder to test because the gelatine can interfere with the results. [9] [10] For some drugs, including LSD, it is possible to extract the drug from the gelatine before testing. [9]
The basic steps of a reagent test are as follows: [5] [11]
(etc.)
(Image of results of an RT that I've done?)
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cite web}}
: CS1 maint: PMC format (
link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (
link)
Reagent testing is the process of using one or more reagents to determine the various chemicals contained within a sample of a drug. [1] While less discriminatory than other forms of drug checking (such as mass spectrometry), reagent testing is a useful harm reduction practice due to its relatively low cost and ease of use. [2] Reagent testing is also suitable for use by law enforcement agents for preliminary identification of substances in the field. [3] [4]
(Image of my own reagents?)
As a presumptive test, a single reagent test cannot provide detailed information on exactly what is in the sample in question. However, a reagent test can be used to rule out the presence of a particular substance, [5] [6] which can still be useful. For instance:
In the second case, the user is still exposed to a level of risk from undetected adulterants, but the risk is reduced: they have successfully ruled out the presence of one class of harmful substances in the sample.
Reagent testing does not allow the tester to determine the potency or purity of the drug being tested. [5] [6] While pill scrapings, powders, tabs and most liquids can be tested directly, [8] "geltabs" (small pieces of gelatine with the drug mixed in) are harder to test because the gelatine can interfere with the results. [9] [10] For some drugs, including LSD, it is possible to extract the drug from the gelatine before testing. [9]
The basic steps of a reagent test are as follows: [5] [11]
(etc.)
(Image of results of an RT that I've done?)
{{
cite web}}
: CS1 maint: PMC format (
link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (
link)