Drug Quest platform for safer drug checking

Drug checking is about helping people understand what they’re taking and reduce harm. For the people running these services, that means working in a careful, structured way, where results are consistent and can be trusted.

The existing process made this difficult. Recording and tracking tests wasn’t always consistent, and there was limited visibility over what had been tested and how results were handled. At the same time, clinics needed to work efficiently in real-world environments.

There were also different needs to balance. Staff needed a clear, reliable workflow to follow, while people using the service needed something that felt safe, simple, and private.

Privacy was critical throughout. People accessing these services need to feel confident that their information is protected and handled with care.

We started by working alongside the Drug Foundation team, including science advisors and harm reduction specialists, to understand how drug checking works in practice.

Through workshops and collaborative sessions, we explored the current process, where it was breaking down, and what needed to improve. This helped us align on what a better approach could look like.

From there, we developed prototypes that could be tested in a simulated clinic environment. This allowed us to see how the system would work day to day, and refine it based on real feedback.

Delivery was iterative, with regular input from the team to ensure the system stayed grounded in real use. The focus throughout was on creating something practical, reliable, and easy to work with.

The platform has made it easier for staff to carry out testing in a consistent and structured way, improving confidence in the results and how they are recorded.

Workflows now guide each step of the process, helping maintain quality while reducing the cognitive load on testers. At the same time, the system is designed so people using the service can do so in a way that feels safe and private.

The platform also brings together information that supports harm reduction, helping people better understand substances and make more informed decisions.

Integration with The Level website means results can be shared more effectively, increasing access to information for the wider community.

Overall, the service is now more reliable, easier to run, and better aligned with the needs of both staff and the public.