Network 1: New England Community Drug Checking Innovations Network
Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream (MADDS) is a state-funded collaboration between Brandeis University, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and drug testing sites across the state. In the spring of 2023, RIZE funded Brandeis University to expand drug checking in the region, launch the New England Community Drug Checking Network (Network 1), and to support the validation of xylazine test strips.
Throughout the process, the value of a regional drug checking network became even more clear in understanding the evolving nature of local drug supplies, the effectiveness of new technologies and tools, and how to support harm reductionists in learning to use these drug-related innovations to address polysubstance use. How to monitor the illicit drug supply is an evolving science. To establish sustainability for Network 1, RIZE’s support increases capacity and improves the ability to respond to evolving supply trends.
Specific investments include:
- One-time software and database system architecture buildouts to improve efficiency, privacy, and streamlined operations.
- Personnel for dedicated time to coordinate, communicate, organize protocols, and support community sites.
- An annual meeting for drug checking technicians within Network 1 to build network identity, exchange ideas, review progress and learning, and establish harm reduction workforce specialization.
- Program investments to support on-site operations for organizations engaging in Network 1 activities.
At capacity, Network 1 will include the following capabilities:
- Serve as a resource for the drug checking community by sharing resources and curating a library of products and supplies vetted to be used in drug checking.
- Provide real-world feedback on drug checking innovations by efficiently testing new products, co-designing procedures and protocols, and establishing best practices for advancing drug checking.
- Inspire new inquiries about drug checking by fielding requests from the harm reduction community to test new products, procedures, hypotheses, and protocols.
- Create a place for collaboration, community-driven exploration, knowledge sharing, and structured inquiry about drug checking data, technologies, procedures, and processes.