Disrupting the illicit drug trade with first-in

The Province is funding a pilot project that will enable police and scientists to use new digital technology and lab robotics to analyze and track the flow of toxic drugs and create earlier warning systems to alert people of increased danger of illicit drugs in their area.

“The illicit drug supply is changing faster than our warning systems,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Track and Trace is an innovative technology that will allow early detection of emerging drug threats, provide clear insights into supply changes and risks, and improve co-ordination across jurisdictions in B.C.”

The Province is investing $300,000 annually for two years to support Aidos Innovations’ Track and Trace pilot program. The program automates drug analysis using lab robotics and provides an artificial intelligence-assisted dashboard for law enforcement to map and track dangerous drugs in B.C. communities. The program is the first of its kind in Canada.

Track and Trace is a program from Aidos Innovations, a non-profit science institute, developed in collaboration with the University of British Columbia (UBC). Track and Trace aims to save lives by helping front-line responders to more quickly identify and respond to the most dangerous substances in the illegal drug supply.

Track and Trace will provide clearer insights into the illicit drug supply, determine where the greatest harms originate and enable an earlier public heath response by:

“B.C. continues to face a toxic-drug crisis that puts lives at risk due to increasingly dangerous substances in the unregulated drug supply,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Through this innovative Track and Trace technology, drugs can be quickly analyzed to identify harmful compounds and map how they move through communities. This approach supports informed health responses, helping to reduce harm and save lives.”

The initiative uses advanced technology, including laboratory robotics, to gather information from drugs seized by police. Data from each analysis, including detailed chemical signatures (a distinct molecular pattern), are uploaded to a secure database where artificial intelligence is used to map and track drug distribution patterns. This allows police to link and compare seized substances across communities and time periods, providing clearer insights into the illicit drug supply and where the greatest harms originate.

“Track and Trace gives police a more informed way to respond to the toxic-drug crisis,” said Fiona Wilson, chief constable, Victoria Police Department. “By improving real-time visibility into what is circulating, we can identify emerging risks sooner, share timely warnings with front-line responders and the public, and better understand patterns in the drug supply. This is a first step that supports stronger collaboration and more effective public safety and public health responses, with the goal of ultimately saving lives in our communities.”

A multidisciplinary team will continue exploring additional tools in future phases of the project to keep people safe and tackle the growing toxic-drug crisis.

Aidos Innovations is a non-profit translational science institute focused on turning cutting-edge research into real-world tools, technologies and solutions that support patients, clinicians, and front-line public-safety and health responders in the substance-use field.

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety Canada –

“Criminals are always working to stay a step ahead of law enforcement when it comes to flooding our communities with toxic drugs. This important initiative will ultimately help us stay on top of the changes in the toxic drug supply in British Columbia. Track and Trace will help save lives and make our communities safer.”

Kevin Brosseau, senior associate deputy minister of National Defence, commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, and Canada’s fentanyl czar –

“To defeat fentanyl, we need to understand where it is produced, how it is trafficked and where it ultimately ends up. This innovative project will enable law enforcement to understand the criminal networks behind the fentanyl trade and dismantle them. And it will help the health-care sector understand the chemicals in local drug supplies and save lives. I applaud the efforts of all those involved with this important initiative.”

Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president and vice-chancellor, University of British Columbia (UBC) –

“The toxic drug crisis is having devasting impacts on people and communities in B.C. and beyond. Faculty, staff and students at UBC are helping to address this tragic public-health issue in many ways, from conducting and mobilizing innovative research to training front-line health-care professionals. The Track and Trace initiative supported by the Government of B.C. is bringing together partners to apply cutting-edge UBC research to inform timely interventions and help save lives.”

Matthew Roberts, managing director, Aidos Innovations –

“This is about moving from isolated data to shared intelligence. When we can see patterns across the drug supply early, we can co-ordinate across law enforcement and health systems and act before harm spreads.”

Glenn Sammis, chemistry professor, UBC –

“Advances in chemical fingerprinting now allow us to detect meaningful differences between drug samples at scale. Track and Trace translates that science into practical intelligence that can support real-world analysis and response.”

Louis Dron, CEO, Redwood AI –

“Artificial intelligence is most impactful when developed alongside users with deep domain knowledge. By developing this tool alongside law enforcement, chemists and health professionals, we can ensure highly relevant, actionable insights.”

Dr. Pouya Azar, co-medical manager of complex pain and addiction services, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) –

“The emergence of ever-more toxic contamination of the unregulated drug supply is resulting in complex clinical presentations, some of which we do not have standardized treatment protocols for. By improving visibility into what is circulating, Track and Trace helps front-line teams anticipate risk earlier and adapt care before overdose patterns escalate.”

Angela Chapman, president and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation –

"Track and Trace has the potential to save and improve lives across B.C. This work began with the generosity of donors to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, who supported the research that inspired this groundbreaking technology through the Innovations in Mental Health, Addictions and Pain Program led by Dr. Pouya Azar. It is exciting to see the research of our health-care partners translated into real-world solutions, providing hope in a crisis that continues to devastate our communities.”