Drug Analysis Service
On this page
- About the Drug Analysis Service
- Supporting law enforcement agencies
- Guidance documents
- Drug statistics and trends reports
- Contact us
- Related links
About the Drug Analysis Service
The Drug Analysis Service operates laboratories across Canada that analyze more than 100,000 drug samples per year. Law enforcement agencies and public health partners submit these samples for forensic analysis under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The service also:
- provides scientific expertise and information on emerging illicit drug trends to regional health authorities
- supports and trains law enforcement agencies involved in the control of:
- illicit drugs
- controlled substances
- precursor chemicals
- helps law enforcement agencies safely dismantle clandestine drug laboratories
Our laboratories are accredited and adhere to international standards, including:
- United Nations Drug Control Treaties
- ISO/IEC 17025
- the Standards Council of Canada's Requirements and Guidelines – Accreditation of Forensic Laboratories (RG-Forensic FR)
Our Data Intelligence and Harm Reduction Unit compiles and shares drug data to:
- inform early warning systems
- support evidence-based responses to emerging drug threats
Our Strategic Research and Scientific Development unit supports harm reduction initiatives and research related to substance use across Canada.
We are committed to maintaining confidentiality. All information received and results produced are used solely to fulfill services as outlined above, and investigative responsibilities. We do not disclose or use them for any other purpose.
Learn more:
Supporting law enforcement agencies
The Drug Analysis Service offers forensic analysis services to law enforcement and other government agencies. Clients include:
- Canadian law enforcement agencies
- federal organizations such as:
- representatives from the criminal justice system
We support their investigations with the following services:
- Identifying controlled drugs and substances listed under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- We analyze samples without knowing their origin or associated cases.
- Analyses generally involve screening tests to identify controlled substances and confirmatory testing.
- We may detect non-controlled substances during analysis (such as adulterants or cutting agents).
- However, we may not routinely track or report this information depending on the nature of the substance.
- Quantifying the amount of a controlled substance present in a sample (such as the proportion of cocaine in a powder).
- This service is limited to select substances and specific investigative needs.
- Issuing Certificates of Analyst for each sample.
- These certificates support police investigations and are admissible as evidence in Canadian courts.
- Scientific and technical assistance when sampling and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories.
- Publishing reports on statistics and trends based on the analyzed samples.
- Advising and training law enforcement agencies on:
- drug trends and analysis
- health and safety when dismantling clandestine drug laboratories
- proper evidence sampling for the purposes of investigation or prosecution
- Expert testimony in court proceedings.
Guidance documents
The following Drug Analysis Service guidance documents for law enforcement agencies are available upon request. Contact the laboratory servicing your region for a copy.
Client Manual for Exhibit Submission & Analysis Requests
Our client manual provides guidelines for preparing and submitting drug samples. It includes our contact information, operating hours and service standards. The manual also covers:
- when to submit samples
- how to prepare samples for submission
- how to submit samples
Client Manual for Scientific and Technical Assistance with the Dismantling of Clandestine Drug Laboratories
This document outlines how we can help law enforcement agencies safely dismantle clandestine drug laboratories. It provides our contact information, operating hours and service standards. The manual covers:
- services provided to support dismantling operations
- the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies
Training Manual
Our training manual outlines available courses for law enforcement agencies and explains how to request training. Based on operational needs, training may include:
- identifying illicit drugs and other substances
- understanding drug-related statistics and emerging trends in Canada
- safely collecting, handling, preparing and submitting samples to the laboratory
- dismantling clandestine drug laboratories, including:
- safely handling chemical and physical hazards
- proper disposal of waste and chemicals
- synthesis routes used to make illicit drugs
- clandestine drug laboratory activities in Canada
Client Portal User Manual
The Client Portal User Manual provides guidance on:
- creating client accounts
- submitting sample analysis requests online
- downloading Certificates of Analyst
- navigating the various features of the portal
Drug statistics and trends reports
- Drug report
Note: This report provides search options for analysing illicit drug data from 2020 onwards. You can explore annual, quarterly and provincial data, as well as data related to specific substances. - Drug notification map
- Drug classification
- At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada - 2024
- At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada - 2023
- At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada - 2022
- At-A-Glance: Newly reported psychoactive substances in Canada 2020-2021
- At-A-Glance: The emergence of nitazenes and brorphine in Canada since 2019
- In Focus: The emergence of opioids in Canada
- Emergence of Desalkylgidazepam, a novel benzodiazepine in Canada
- Spotlight: The evolution of Fentanyl in Canada over the past 11 years
- Spotlight: The emergence of Xylazine in Canada
- Drug Analysis Service: Trends 2012-2020
- Drug Analysis Service: Trends 2012-2019
- Drug Analysis Service: Summary report of samples analyzed in 2020
- Drug Analysis Service: Summary report of samples analyzed in 2019
- Drug Analysis Service: Summary report of samples analyzed in 2018
- Drug Analysis Service: Summary report of samples analyzed in 2017
- Drug Analysis Service: Summary report of samples analyzed in 2016
Contact us
Contact your nearest Drug Analysis Service laboratory:
- for more information
- to obtain support
- to request Health Canada sample labels or guidance documents
Ontario
Toronto laboratory
Health Canada
Drug Analysis Service
2301 Midland Ave
Toronto (Ontario)
M1P 4R7
Phone: 416-973-1453
Email: das.toronto-sad@hc-sc.gc.ca
Quebec and the Atlantic provinces
Montreal laboratory
Health Canada
Drug Analysis Service
1001 rue St-Laurent Ouest
Longueuil (Quebec)
J4K 1C7
Phone: 450-928-4046
Email: sad.longueuil@hc-sc.gc.ca
Western and Northern provinces and territories
Vancouver laboratory
Health Canada
Drug Analysis Service
3155 Willingdon Green
Burnaby (British Columbia)
V5G 4P2
Phone: 604-666-3121
Email: bcdasexhibitcontrol@hc-sc.gc.ca