BC Government announces support for VIU-developed drug checking technology

Five people stand in VIU's Health and Science Centre during a media conference.

From left, Armin Saatchi, VIU graduate student; Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum; Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; Dr. Chris Gill, Co-Director of the Applied Environmental Research Laboratories; and Dr. Deborah Saucier, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor attend the BC Provincial announcement about HarmCheck funding. Vancouver Island University Photo.

August 17, 2021 - 1:30pm

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is excited to share the news that the provincial government is providing $305,000 for HarmCheck – a cutting-edge drug-checking technology that was developed at VIU.

It uses high-throughput paper spray mass spectrometry to provide rapid drug-checking and can be used on-site as a harm reduction method. HarmCheck is a collaboration between VIU and the Victoria-based Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project. The funding will support setup costs, site upgrades and research staff.

For more information, please see the BC Government news release.

Test tube containers in a blue bin.

“This has the potential to support and boost harm-reduction strategies and save lives,” says Dr. Chris Gill, Co-Director of the Applied Environmental Research Laboratories. 

VIU HarmCheck Announcement

VIU Elder Geraldine Manson gives the official welcome.
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, speaks at a podium.
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
Dr. Deborah Saucier, VIU President and Vice-Chancellor, stands in front of a podium smiling.
Dr. Chris Gill, Co-Director of the Applied Environmental Research Laboratories, stands in front of a podium.
Armin Saatchi, a VIU graduate student, stands at a podium during the BC government funding announcement.
From left, Armin Saatchi, VIU graduate student; Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum; Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; Dr. Chris Gill, Co-Director of the Applied Environmental Research Laboratories; and Dr. Deborah Saucier,
Armin Saatchi stands in front of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer System
Test tubes sit in a blue bin.
Two bottles in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer System

Tags: Chemistry | Community Engagement | Research | Announcements


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