SteadyRead the units
1 g = 1,000 mg. 1 mg = 1,000 µg. Check the decimal. 0.100 g = 100 mg. 0.010 g = 10 mg.
A HARM REDUCTION GUIDE
Know more.
Stay safer.
Straightforward information on drug effects, dose risks, and testing. For yourself, a friend, or anyone who needs it.
Substance library
Look up effects, dose risks, interactions, and warning signs.
PRESCRIPTION STIMULANT
Adderall
Checking pills, delayed effects with XR, and dangerous combinations.
Read guide EMPATHOGEN / STIMULANTMDMA Molly · Ecstasy
Delayed effects, overheating, and checking pills or powder.
Read guide PSYCHEDELICLSD Acid
How long effects can last, what a reagent can tell you, and how to help a friend.
Read guide OPIOIDOpioids
Fentanyl, changes in tolerance, slow breathing, and using naloxone.
Read guide SEDATIVEBenzodiazepines Benzo · Xanax
Using without a prescription, checking pills, and recognizing overdose or withdrawal.
Read guide CANNABISCannabis THC · Weed
Compare THC labels and timing for flower, vapes, concentrates, edibles, oils, and topicals.
Read guide DISSOCIATIVEKetamine K
Weighing powder, why route matters, and which combinations raise overdose risk.
Read guide PSYCHEDELICPsilocybin mushrooms Shrooms
Dry weight, variable potency, and what to do after a possible mushroom mix-up.
Read guide DEPRESSANTAlcohol
Count standard drinks and recognize alcohol poisoning and withdrawal.
Read guide STIMULANTCocaine and crack Coke · Crack
Why line size is unreliable, how crack differs, and what to test.
Read guide STIMULANTMethamphetamine Crystal meth
Compare routes and timing, weigh crystal, and recognize stimulant overdose.
Read guide DEPRESSANTSGHB, GBL and 1,4-BD G
Know which liquid you have, what mL means, and why mixing is dangerous.
Read guide DISSOCIATIVEDextromethorphan DXM
Read mg per tablet or mL and check for other active ingredients.
Read guide INHALANT / DISSOCIATIVENitrous oxide Whippets · Nangs
Reduce oxygen loss and cold burns, and spot early nerve symptoms.
Read guide INHALANTPoppers Alkyl nitrites
Prevent swallowing and burns, and check for dangerous medication interactions.
Read guide PSYCHEDELIC2C-B 2CB
See a real dose reference and learn why a small weighing error matters.
Read guide PSYCHEDELICDMT and ayahuasca N,N-DMT
Compare inhaled DMT with ayahuasca and check MAOI interactions.
Read guide PSYCHEDELICMescaline Peyote · San Pedro
Compare pure mescaline with cactus and learn why effects can build slowly.
Read guide PSYCHEDELIC5-MeO-DMT Bufo
A distinct drug from DMT, with higher risks from blackouts, vomiting, and MAOIs.
Read guide HALLUCINOGENSalvia divinorum Salvia
Understand extract labels, sudden disorientation, and fall risk.
Read guide SYNTHETIC HALLUCINOGENSNBOMe and NBOH 25I · 25B · 25C
Recognize an LSD look-alike and know what a blotter test can tell you.
Read guide VARIABLE MIXTURETusi Pink cocaine
The name and pink color give no reliable ingredient list or dose.
Read guide SYNTHETIC CANNABINOIDSynthetic cannabinoids K2 · Spice
Why cannabis dose guidance can’t transfer to K2, Spice, or sprayed products.
Read guide STIMULANTSSynthetic cathinones 3-MMC · Mephedrone
Compare what’s known about 3-MMC with mislabeled powders and other cathinones.
Read guide SYNTHETIC OPIOIDSNitazenes
Know the limits of fentanyl and nitazene strips and how to respond to overdose.
Read guide NON-OPIOID SEDATIVESXylazine and medetomidine Tranq · Mede
Distinguish two sedatives and learn when to get help for wounds or withdrawal.
Read guide OPIOID-LIKE EFFECTSKratom and 7-OH 7-hydroxymitragynine
Tell leaf products from concentrated 7-OH and read milligrams per serving.
Read guideNo guides match your search.
DOSING BASICS
How to measure a dose
A scale tells you what the sample weighs. Check a verified label or ask a lab to find out how much drug it contains.
Weigh crystals, powder, or dried material
Use a milligram scale on a flat surface. Check its minimum reliable weight. Put the empty tray on the scale, press tare to zero it, then add the sample. Wait for the number to settle.
Check pills from an unverified source
A stamp or score line can’t tell you what’s in a pill. Ask a drug-checking service if it can identify the drug and measure its strength.
Know when a scale can’t help
A scale can’t tell you how much LSD is on paper or fentanyl is in a mix. For edibles, read mg of THC per serving and per pack. For liquids with a verified label, check mg per mL and use a marked syringe or cup.
Sources
Measuring and testing · NZ Drug Foundation · BCCSU Drug Checking · Institute for Safe Medication Practices (PDF)
DRUG CHECKING
What’s in a sample?
A test can find unexpected drugs. It can also miss them. Results apply only to the sample you tested.
Drug-checking services
Ask what they can test, what they might miss, and whether they can tell you how strong your sample is.
Fentanyl test strips
Strips check for fentanyl. They can miss it and can’t measure how much is there.
Read strip resultsReagent kits
Drops change color and give clues about what’s in a sample. They can miss drugs in a mix and can’t measure dose.
Compare test kitsSources
Methods and limits · BCCSU Drug Checking · DanceSafe
Where to get test kits
Follow your kit’s directions and check the expiry date.
Free fentanyl strips
Check for local or mail options.
Rapid Response fentanyl strips
For powders and liquids. Results can vary by strip model and batch.
MDMA reagent kit
An expected color can still miss other drugs in a mix.
LSD reagent kit
A color change gives a clue. It can’t confirm LSD or tell you how strong it is.
Ketamine reagent kit
Morris reagent gives a clue. It can miss other drugs and can’t measure strength.
Cocaine reagent kit
Multiple reagents can screen a sample for cocaine and give clues about some other ingredients. Use a separate fentanyl strip for fentanyl.
2C-B reagent kit
Compare multiple color reactions. Some other drugs give similar colors, and the kit can’t measure strength.
Nitazene test strips
A separate screen for some nitazenes. Some types and low concentrations can be missed.
Xylazine and medetomidine test strips
Each strip screens for its own target. Use the instructions for that strip. A negative result can miss the drug.
Sources
Test performance · Independent fentanyl strip study · DanceSafe reagent guidance
Reading a fentanyl strip
Follow your kit for how much water to add, when to dip the strip, and when to read it. Too little water can cause a false positive.
LA County illustrated guide (PDF)- Positive
- Fentanyl may be present. Skip this sample.
- Negative
- The strip may have missed fentanyl. Other drugs can still be present.
- Invalid
- No control line? Use a fresh strip and check the directions.
BEFORE USING
What changes the risk?
Strength, timing, your health, and other drugs all affect risk.
Check the form and route
Swallowing and inhaling can hit at different speeds. Check the guide for the form you have.
Avoid taking more while effects build
Swallowed and slow-release drugs can take hours to reach full effect. Don’t take more just because you feel nothing yet.
Watch for combinations
Mixing alcohol, opioids, or benzos can slow breathing. Mixing stimulants can strain your heart. Ask a pharmacist about your medications.
Make it easy to get help
Have a sober person nearby. Tell them what you took. Keep naloxone handy if opioids might be involved.
Sources
Risk reduction · CDC stimulant guide · SAMHSA overdose toolkit
OVERDOSE RESPONSE · U.S.
When to get help
Call immediately if someone can’t be woken, is breathing slowly or irregularly, collapses, has a seizure, or develops chest pain or severe overheating.
Call 911Outside the U.S., call your local emergency number.
- Call for help and follow the dispatcher. Say where you are and what they took, if you know. Follow instructions for CPR or rescue breaths.
- Give naloxone if opioids might be involved. If breathing is still abnormal after 2–3 minutes, use a new dose.
- Stay with them until help arrives. If they’re unconscious and breathing normally, turn them onto their side. Keep checking breathing.
Sources
Sources and support
Read the original guidance, get exposure advice, or find care near you.
Poison Control Free, confidential U.S. exposure guidance, 24/7.
FindTreatment.gov SAMHSA’s U.S. substance use and mental health treatment directory.
Norway’s overdose prevention guide Helsenorge’s public guidance on naloxone and first aid, in Norwegian.
Prism photograph by Artem on Unsplash.