Fundraising campaign Test & Know launches

The UK’s first and only dedicated drug checking service is launching a vital new fundraising campaign to support its pioneering harm reduction work across the UK. 

The Loop, an award-winning national charity, is aiming to raise £25,000 in its ’Test & Know’ campaign, to boost its testing capacity and its efforts to help save lives during and beyond 2025. 

The funds will support both the expansion of The Loop’s city centre drug checking services and its event-based 'back of house' drug testing model.  

Due to the costs of testing equipment and associated consumables, each drug test costs approximately £12. Supporters are encouraged to donate the cost of one test - £12 - to help support emergency services and safeguard others. 

The Loop (established in 2012) was the first organisation to receive a Home Office licence for onsite ‘back of house’ drug testing in the UK in 2024. The charity provides not only evidence-based harm reduction services but also contributes to a national understanding of drug markets, issuing alerts about high-risk substances, and communicates information about emerging trends through its multi-agency partnerships with police, public health, drug treatment services and event organisers. 

Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop, said: 

“We want to be able to do more and reach more people to reduce drug-related harm. As a charity the funding and resources available to us can restrict this. We know there is significant support from many people for the work we do, and we are asking you to donate as much or as little as you can to enable us to deliver more drug checking and testing in the UK.” 

The Loop’s testing onsite at Parklife in June 2025, identified high and variable strength MDMA pills in circulation, containing up to and over three times a common adult dose, increasing the risk of overdose. The Loop was able to alert the public promptly as a result of its onsite testing service. 

Professor Fiona Measham, Chair in Criminology at the University of Liverpool and Founder and Chair of The Loop, said: 

“The Loop is a small charity with a big heart, staffed by hundreds of qualified and committed volunteers who donate their time and expertise to deliver the service to help keep people safe. Your donation will support our chemists to identify substances of concern drawing on the latest technological advances and health professionals to communicate test results and relative risk, rapidly and without judgement, to the public and partner organisations.” 

With drug-related deaths in the UK at record highs and concerns about synthetic substances including nitazenes escalating, the need for rapid real-time onsite testing and distribution of accurate drugs information is more urgent than ever. 

This campaign marks a crucial step in securing The Loop’s long-term sustainability and greater reach ensuring more people can access the information and support they need to avoid harm. 

To donate £12 or more, visit wearetheloop.org/test-and-know 

ENDS