EU drug monitoring centre endorses European pill testing projects
The European monitoring centre for drugs and drug addiction (EMCDDA) has published a scientific report analysing the impact of European pill testing projects, and supporting their implementation. The study concludes that although the effectiveness of pill testing on the use of recreational drugs cannot be assessed accurately, there are other benefits to the projects, such as an insight into the way in which the drugs are used, and by whom. The EMCDDA is an independent information agency responsible for providing information on drug problems in the EU and Member State interventions, methodologies and strategies. The centre's reports aim to provoke thought and discussion about innovative strategies for European exchange of experience. The main purpose of the EMCDDA study was to provide an overview of goals, methods, results and evaluation efforts of pill testing projects both running and planned for the near future in the EU. Pill testing, which is carried out at clubs and raves, is a scientific instrument which enables researchers to collect data on detecting, tracking and monitoring emerging consumption trends, changing local and international patterns of use and demographic information on consumers and others at risk. The projects bring together chemists, social workers and psychologists. On site analytical procedures include pill identification, a colour reaction test, immunological tests and chromatography. Pill identification involves a comparison of pills brought by potential consumers with lists of formerly analysed pills. A colour reaction test can identify the presence of ecstasy-like substances, although they are unable to ascertain how much of these substances the pill contains. This test can also identify the presence of some non-ecstasy substances and/or the absence of ecstasy. There are however potentially dangerous chemicals which the kit is unable to detect. Immunological tests are based on the reaction of a specific antibody against a substance and the visualisation of this reaction, and chromatography involves the separation of a mixture of compounds into its separate components and is used to identify and determine the chemical components in complex mixtures. The EMCDDA study highlights the fact that many organisations conducting pill testing projects do not have the financial resources and/or scientific knowledge necessary in order to design suitable evaluation instruments for their projects. The report speculates that 'many projects only see their visitors once or twice, therefore it is very difficult to find out whether the information from the project finally leads to a more health-oriented consumption of illicit drugs in comparison with a group of people who did not receive that information.' The centre adds that 'due to the lack and difficulties of evaluation, on the one hand there is still no strict scientific proof for the protective impact of on-site pill testing interventions but on the other hand, there is also no scientific evidence to conclude that such interventions rather promote drug use or might be used by dealers for marketing purposes.' The report adds that drawing together pieces of evidence is, however, often a first step towards deciding on new intervention models. EMCDDA does however emphasise the benefits of such projects, stressing that testing interventions provide the opportunity to enter into contact with populations who are otherwise difficult to reach, and to raise their interest in preventive and harm reduction. Pill testing also provides valuable information on new substances and consumption trends as well as who is using the drugs and where how and why they are using them, the study concludes.