Chemistry professor Francois Lagugné-Labarthet (left) is working with a startup company called SCATR Inc., founded by Western grad Ari Forman, BSc’20, (centre) and Alex Boukin. The team is working together to pilot and research the effectiveness of the technology at 11 sites across Canada. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)
Chemistry professor Francois Lagugné-Labarthet ( left ) is working with a startup company called SCATR Inc., founded by Western grad Ari Forman, BSc'20, ( centre ) and Alex Boukin. The team is working together to pilot and research the effectiveness of the technology at 11 sites across Canada. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications) Chemistry professor teams up with local startup company to pilot technology at safe consumption sites across the country Inside a nondescript black cube no bigger than two shoeboxes, there is sophisticated technology that can analyze the composition of street drugs in under fifteen minutes. The aim is to allow those who use drugs at safe consumption sites to understand what dangerous fillers and other drugs like fentanyl analogues might be in their sample, so they can make informed decisions about their use. The technology, developed by startup company SCATR Inc. with the support of Western University infrastructure, is being rolled out at 11 safe consumption sites across Ontario, Nova Scotia and B.C. thanks to a new grant from Health Canada's Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) announced by Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
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