Health Canada's Drug Analysis Platform

Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service (DAS) and Cannabis Laboratory (CL) analyze samples submitted by law enforcement agencies and public health partners across Canada to support investigations, monitor new and emerging trends, and inform public health and safety responses.

Last updated: 2026-07-16

Notes and publications

This section provides key background information to support interpretation of the dashboard data. It includes technical notes and disclaimers, data source information, and a list of publications from Health Canada’s Drug Analysis Service (DAS), Cannabis Laboratory (CL), and Canadian Drug Analysis Centre (CDAC).

Use the buttons below to see the Publications and Data sources and limitations pages.

Publications

DAS and CL reports, info sheets, and other publications on emerging trends, new psychoactive substances, and other topics of interest.

Data sources and limitations

Technical information on Health Canada’s drug analysis laboratories and the limitations of the data.

Publications

Browse all Drug Analysis Service and Cannabis Laboratory publications in one compact list.

Publication	Summary	Link
Medetomidine and Xylazine – Current Situation in Canada Drug Analysis Service Infosheet New	The aim of this info sheet is to offer key insights on medetomidine and xylazine based on samples submitted to DAS laboratories.	View
New and emerging drug threats in Canada: Fentanyl precursors Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance New	Describes trends in fentanyl precursor identifications in Canada, including precursor use, regulatory actions, and evidence of domestic synthetic opioid production.	View
At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada – 2024 Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance	Describes new psychoactive substances that emerged in Canada in 2024 based on samples submitted to DAS by law enforcement agencies and public health partners.	View
At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada – 2023 Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance	Describes new psychoactive substances that emerged in Canada in 2023 based on samples submitted to the Drug Analysis Service by law enforcement agencies and public health partners.	View
At-a-glance: New psychoactive substances in Canada – 2022 Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance	Describes new psychoactive substances that emerged in Canada in 2022 based on samples submitted to the Drug Analysis Service by law enforcement agencies and public health partners.	View
At-a-glance: The emergence of Nitazenes and Brorphine in Canada since 2019 Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance	Presents results of a pilot project with DAS, CBSA and RCMP related to Nitazenes and Brorphine to build a more complete picture of the situation in Canada.	View
At-a-glance: Newly reported psychoactive substances in Canada 2020-2021 Drug Analysis Service At-a-glance	Describes new psychoactive substances which emerged in Canada since 2020.	View
In Focus: The Emergence of Opioids in Canada Drug Analysis Service In Focus	Outlines trends observed in the opioid supply in Canada since 2012 based on samples submitted to the DAS by law enforcement agencies and public health partners.	View
Emergence of Desalkylgidazepam, a novel benzodiazepine in Canada Drug Analysis Service Infosheet	Provides quick statistics on Desalkylgidazepam, the most identified new psychoactive substance in Canada in 2022.	View
Spotlight: The evolution of Fentanyl in Canada over the past 11 years Drug Analysis Service Spotlight	Characterizes trends in Fentanyl identifications across Canada since 2012 based on exhibits seized and submitted to the Drug Analysis Service.	View
Spotlight: The emergence of Xylazine in Canada Drug Analysis Service Spotlight	Characterizes trends in Xylazine identifications across Canada since 2012 based on exhibits seized and submitted to the Drug Analysis Service.	View
Cannabis Data Gathering Program: A comparison of legal and illegal dried cannabis products Cannabis Laboratory Data Gathering Program	Compares legal and illegal dried cannabis products using data from Health Canada’s Cannabis Data Gathering Program, launched in 2023.	View