Reagent Testing
What are regent testing kits
Reagents are liquids which change colour when they come into contact with certain drugs, this colour change is unique and tells us which drug is present. Often, there are multiple drugs present and this is why we use multiple different reagents because they are made for specific drugs.
Can I test my own drugs at home?
Yes! Yes you can! Drug testing kits (regent tests) can help you figure out what drug you have/don’t have in your possession. They are easy to use, legal to buy and could save a life or prevent a ruined night.
Why should I use them?
There could be anything in your drugs and sometimes what you buy will contain more than one drug, or a completely different drug than you wanted. Both can be dangerous and both can be analysed with testing kits!
Benefits
They are legal to buy in Australia, however the police may still confiscate them if found
They are cheap, very easy to use and interpret
They will give you peace of mind if you take or sell a drug. Knowing what you are taking can greatly improve your experience.
Barriers
If you are colour-blind, these are very difficult to interpret, however there are phone apps available which can tell colours for you, or you can ask a friend! Reagents require access to a specific colour chart, however these should come with your testing kits or are available online
These kits are not 100% effective – especially for products with more than one drug. You will never be certain as to what is in your drug unless they are analysed in a lab
Where can I get them?
You can buy single use kits from some tobacconists or online. The single use kits are very handy to bring somewhere you won’t have much time or space to test in, however they can be pricey.
Multi-use test kits can also be bought online from a huge range of suppliers. The multi-use kits are cheaper in the long run so we can recommend getting them, you can test other people’s drugs too and keep the community safe.
How do I use them?
Your kits will come with instructions; however the general rule of thumb is to put a drop of the reagent onto a pin-head sized piece of the drug. The liquid may change colour, compare the colour change to your chart and there you go! Repeat with different reagents to identify different drugs.
So what do I need?
You only need three things.
Testing kits. The more the better. Depending on what drug you are testing you will need specific reagent kits.
Colour chart. This is specific to each reagent it will match a colour to a drug. These are available online or with your testing kit
Testing surface. This should not be colored because it will make the results very confusing. Either a white plate (not paper), clear hard plastic, or glass (think an upside down glass or water bottle lid). The testing liquid is very acidic, do not let it touch your skin, it will also destroy paper and fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable are these? Reagent kits are not definitive, meaning that they will not tell you exactly what drug you have. They give a good estimate which provides safer drug use when combined with other harm reduction measures.
Am I allowed to take these into festivals/events? Most likely no. Testing kits will often get confiscated by security or police as they are considered drug paraphernalia. Doofs or raves might be more lenient as they tent to advocate harm reduction practices more
Are there better ways of testing? Yes these reagent tests are jut the beginning! There are a few organisations in Australia who are equipped with analytical chemistry equipment that can tell you exactly what is in your drugs, however until these services become legal and widespread, reagent tests are our best option.
Tips N’ Tricks
High temperatures will leave your test kits fully cooked. So, keep them in a cool space when you are not using them, perhaps an esky if you’re at a festival or in the fridge at home. Room temperature is also fine.
Put some baking soda on the liquid when you have finished, this will neutralise it and make it safe to wash down the sink. Look after the fishies!
Some handy tools to keep with your kits are… razor blade for shaving pills, tweezers or lil spoon for picking up powder, latex/nitrile gloves to keep your skin safe and scissors for cutting tabs.
Video the reaction, you can then easily review the colour change
Further Resources
Information
Colour charts and reaction videos