Reagent testing is a way for you to get a better idea of what's in your drugs. It uses special liquids (reagents) that change colour when they react with different substances. By comparing the colour change to a reference chart, you can check if your gear is likely what you think it is.

Because the unregulated drug market is unpredictable. What you buy isn't always what you get. Testing helps you spot when something is completely different or if it contains unexpected substances. It's about giving you more information so you can reduce your risk and make safer decisions. Testing puts the power back in your hands.

In Australia, it is legal to buy and have reagent test kits. However, it's important to know that possessing the drugs themselves is still illegal. While legal protections exist for people using official government-run testing services, these don't apply to testing at home. Be aware that police can use their discretion, and some may see kits as a reason to search you.

Simple: use tests to look for "red flags," not "green lights." Your goal isn't to confirm a substance is "safe" because no drug use is completely safe. Your goal is to look for any result that is unexpected. An unexpected result is a clear sign to pause and reconsider.

Reagent tests are presumptive, which means they provide a strong hint, not a final confirmation.

• They are great at telling you when a substance is definitely NOT what you expected. For example, if you think you have MDMA but the Marquis reagent goes orange, that's a major red flag that it could be an amphetamine instead.
• They can help you detect the likely presence of a certain substance if you get the expected colour reactions across several different reagent tests.

This is just as important. Reagent tests CANNOT:

• Tell you the purity or strength: They can't tell the difference between a weak pill and a dangerously strong one containing 300mg of MDMA. The risk of overdose from a high-purity substance remains.
• Find every substance in a mix: A dark colour reaction (like MDMA's black) can easily hide a lighter one (like amphetamine's orange). You might not see everything that's in there.
• Detect highly potent drugs in tiny amounts: This is critical. They are not sensitive enough to find fentanyl or nitazenes.

No. To be clear, standard reagent tests cannot detect fentanyl or the newer high-potency synthetic opioids (like nitazenes) that have been found in Australia. For this, you must use specialised Fentanyl Test Strips and Nitazene Test Strips.

To keep them working properly, store them in a cool, dark place. A fridge or even a freezer is ideal. If you’re at a festival, an esky is a good option. Let them warm up to room temp before opening to avoid condensation getting in and ruining them.

At-home kits are a valuable part of your harm reduction toolkit, especially when you can't access a professional service. However, services like CanTEST, The Victorian Pill Testing Service, CheQpoint and the NSW Drug Checking Trial are the "gold standard." They use high-tech machines (like FTIR spectrometers) that are far more accurate, can often tell you how strong a substance is, and give you a chance to have a confidential chat with a health worker. If you have access to one, we strongly encourage you to use it.