© dpa
Since the start of drug testing at the beginning of June, a total of 797 samples have been analysed, as the Senate Department for Health informed the dpa on request.
Up to 39 samples were accepted every week. The demand for free drug tests therefore exceeds the capacity of the pilot project in Berlin: according to the Senate Administration, around 380 potential users had to be turned away by August alone.
For the first time, the project also analysed cannabis contaminated with artificial cannabinoids. These have a stronger effect when consumed than the plant-based version. They can lead to intoxication and be life-threatening.
To date, several dozen warnings for drugs that have already been analysed are listed on the project website. The drugs frequently analysed include ecstasy, pure amphetamine, amphetamine-caffeine mixtures (speed), mephedrone, cocaine, ketamine and LSD. The project issued a warning for the substances analysed in an average of 43 percent of the samples.
According to the information provided, the project is looking for a solution to meet the high demand. This is because drugs that are not analysed harbour particular dangers. The consumption of unanalysed substances, which may be mislabelled, overdosed or contaminated, can lead to overdoses and poisoning. This is according to the pharmaceutical coordinator of the Drugchecking Project, Tibor Harrach. Only a drug check enables informed and considered consumption.
The offer to analyse substances is aimed at addicts who use drugs on a daily basis, for example, but also at partygoers who take drugs at the weekend. The substances are analysed in a neutral laboratory via the State Institute for Forensic and Social Medicine. So far, 582 people have taken advantage of drug checking, including 431 males, 126 females and 25 diverse people. The age group of 30 to 39-year-olds was most strongly represented, followed by 18 to 29-year-olds.