The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced a new tool to address the ongoing drug toxicity crisis and contaminated illicit drug supply. The Randox MultiSTAT Analyzer, now in use by Coroner Services, allows for rapid toxicology screening of substances involved in suspicious deaths, helping the Chief Coroner and Chief Public Health Officer take swift action to protect the public.

Illicit drug-related deaths have become a significant challenge in the Northwest Territories. Previously, Coroner Services sent urine samples to the laboratory at Stanton Territorial Hospital, which took two to three weeks to process. Blood and oral fluid samples were sent to Drug Analysis Service in southern Canada, often taking more than 45 days to complete due to a first-come, first-served process.

The Health Canada-approved Randox MultiSTAT Analyzer can detect multiple drugs in under 30 minutes. It provides quantitative results for 29 drugs from urine or blood samples and qualitative results for 20 drugs from urine, blood, or oral fluids – all within 20 to 30 minutes. The quick identification of substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and benzodiazepine will result in faster public notification of dangerous drugs circulating in communities or the territory.

The Northwest Territories is one of few jurisdictions in Canada using this tool to protect public health, and the first to include this technology as part of standard practice for coroners.

For media requests, please contact:

Andrew Wind
Manager, Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9052 ext. 49034
 

Coroner’s Office
Department of Justice
Government of the Northwest Territories 
Email: coroner@gov.nt.ca
Phone Number: 1-867-767-9251 ext. 82035