Controlled Substances Identification and Testing
Mission
To help enforce illegal drug laws in Rhode Island by examining evidence confiscated in drug-related crimes for the presence of controlled substances.
What we do
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Perform laboratory identifications of chemical substances in evidence submitted by police departments.
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Confirm illegal drug usage and drug trafficking.
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Support federal, state, and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of narcotics crimes.
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Identify trends in drug usage and emerging threats to public health.
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Assist federal and state law enforcement agencies in the investigation of local clandestine drug laboratories.
Accomplishments
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Since 2008, the Controlled Substances Laboratory has maintained national accreditation to the current ISO/IEC 17025 standards This laboratory was the first in New England to transition to the new and more rigorous ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.
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In 2020, 4,472 individual drug items were tested in 2,027 cases. Of note is the 37% increase in Methamphetamine identifications and increasing numbers of counterfeit pill seizures. New drug identifications include: Ethylone
Rhode Island Department of Health