UBC lab develops new, portable drug-checking device ahead of limited decriminalization

published on January 24, 2023 by Negin Nia in CBC News

A lab at the University of British Columbia is working on new drug-checking technology, including a device they say can identify lower concentrations of drug components.

Sara Guzman, a graduate student working at UBC’s Hein Lab, is helping test a new, portable version of high-performance liquid chromatography instruments, or HPLCs, which she says can identify drug concentrations below five per cent.

“We are hoping to lower the barriers associated with this high-quality analytical technology and translate it into drug-checking,” she said.

“It will increase sensitivity but also effectiveness and reduce human error.”

The technology, developed by the U.S.-based company Axcend, comes as B.C. is set to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs by the end of the month…