WEDINOS is funded by Welsh Government and was launched in October 2013 as a collaboration between Public Health Wales, Cardiff Toxicology Laboratories at University Hospital Llandough, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and the School of Pharmacy at Cardiff University. WEDINOS provides a framework for the collection and testing of samples of psychoactive substances and combinations of drugs (hereafter referred to as “samples”) along with information on the symptoms that those submitting samples experienced, both expected and unexpected. Collation of these findings along with identification of the chemical structure of the samples enables the dissemination of pragmatic evidence-based harm reduction information for those using psychoactive drugs or considering use. The analytical tools used for the profiling of samples includes a Quadrupole Time of Flight (Q-ToF) mass spectrometer (the primary analytical tool), a Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

This Year 2022/23:

• 7,744 samples received representing an increase from 7,457 in 2021/22.
• 6,656 analysed up from 6,345.
• Community samples increased to 4,979 up from 4,684.
• 185 substances identified up from 181.
• 75 different organisations, services and Night Time Economy (NTE) venues.
• Median age of sample providers 33 years (range 12 to 80 years).
• As in the previous five years benzodiazepines were the most commonly identified class of psychoactive substance with 18 identified.
• Cocaine was the most commonly identified substance.
• Most commonly identified in the community was bromazolam, followed by MDMA.
• Cocaine was the most commonly identified substance in the NTE.
• Criminal justice settings – the Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist (SCRA) MDMB-4en-PINACA was the most commonly identified substance, however more samples were profiled as “no active compound”.