Fentanyl detection and quantification using portable Raman spectroscopy in community drug checking

Abstract

AbstractCommunity‐based drug checking has emerged as a harm reduction practice aimed at people who use drugs. Using a portable Raman spectrometer and the statistical method of partial least squares regression, a model was developed to quantify fentanyl in both powder binary mixtures and more complex ternary mixtures. The model was then applied to samples collected over a 2‐year period while operating the drug checking service. As an unpredictable drug supply will always pose a risk for quantification with portable drug checking technologies, we implement check steps that guide the harm reduction decisions and conversations surrounding quantitative results.