How To Test

Remember the golden rule

These tests are for spotting "red flags," not for getting a "green light." They won't tell you if your drugs are 'pure' or strong, but they are a vital tool for making more informed decisions and reducing harm.

What You'll Need

Before you start, gather your materials on a clean, flat surface.

  • 🩺 Your substance
  • 💧 Reagent(s)
  • 🧱 A white, non-porous testing surface (a ceramic plate or the bottom of a mug works well. Do not use paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, or any coloured surface.)
  • 🧤 Gloves (reagents are corrosive and can cause chemical burns)
  • 🔪 A tiny scoop or sharp object for handling the sample

🧼 Optional but helpful for cleanup: Baking soda and water

The Testing Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

⚠️ Always use a fresh, tiny sample for each new reagent you use. Testing multiple reagents on the same sample will give you a messy, meaningless result.

Step 1: Prepare Your Sample

Place a very small amount of your substance onto your testing surface. You only need a tiny bit.

  • For powders or crystals: Use a sample about the size of a pinhead. It's a good idea to crush any crystals into a fine powder first.
  • For pills: Scrape off a tiny amount of the pill to create a small pile of powder.
  • For blotter paper or gel tabs: Cut off a tiny corner of the tab.
  • For liquids: Use a single, small drop. (If you don't get a result, you can let the drop air-dry on the plate and then test the residue).

ℹ️ Note for Morris Reagent: You’ll want to use a slightly larger sample for this specific test, about double the size of a pinhead.

Step 2: Add the Reagent

Carefully uncap the reagent bottle and add one single drop from the bottle directly onto your sample.

⚠️ Do not let the bottle tip touch your gear! This will contaminate the entire bottle of reagent and ruin it.

ℹ️ For two-part reagents (like Simon's): Add one drop from Bottle A onto your sample, followed immediately by one drop from Bottle B.

ℹ️ For the Morris reagent only: After adding one drop from Bottle A and one from Bottle B, you must stir the mixture with a clean toothpick or a sharp, clean point for about 20 seconds to see the reaction.

Step 3: Watch and Compare

Watch the reaction closely from the moment the drop makes contact. Most colour changes will happen within 10–30 seconds.

Compare the colour (or sequence of colours) to the chart that came with your kit.

ℹ️ Heads Up for Ehrlich: This reagent is slow. It can take up to 5 minutes (sometimes longer) to show its final purple colour, so be patient with it.

Step 4: Clean Up Safely

Cleaning up properly is important for safety and ensures your surface is ready for next time.

  1. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the used reagents on your plate. You might see some fizzing – this is the baking soda neutralising the corrosive chemicals.
  2. Once it stops fizzing, wash everything thoroughly with soap and water.
  3. Dry your testing surface completely.