Get Your Drugs Tested

published on October 3, 2025 by Nicolas Crier in Penticton Herald

It’s ironic, in a way. All the testing here in the Downtown Eastside is done anonymously, yet the name of the service couldn’t be more straightforward: Get Your Drugs Tested (GYDT). The simplicity reflects the philosophy — that honesty and openness are often the most practical, accessible, and effective tools for keeping people safe. At its core, GYDT offers a community-based way to find out what’s really in the drugs our neighbours, friends and family members are using — whether that’s unexpected substances, other drugs or harmful contaminants.

“We pretty much see all walks of life, in terms of who comes through the door,” says Michelle, site manager for GYDT, in an interview with Megaphone. “From young people going to university and just having a good time on the weekend, to business types, to folks with active dependencies who are using street ‘down’ (meaning street fentanyl, but which used to mean heroin) instead of their safe supply of hydromorphone.”…