As the opioid crisis continues to take lives in big cities and small communities across Canada, a Kingston technology company has developed a rapid testing system to identify the lethal contaminants sometimes present in street drugs.
Spectra Plasmonics’ drug analysis system identifies the unique chemical “fingerprints” of various substances found in a sample and can detect the presence of dangerous contaminants such as fentanyl.
The technology is currently being piloted at a supervised consumption site in Kingston, but company officials say they’re eager to roll out the devices across North America.
(Sponsored)

SnowBall 2026: A premier networking event with purpose returns to 50 Sussex Dr.
As winter settles in across the capital, one of Ottawa’s most high-profile charitable and business networking events is set to return to its roots: On Wed., March 4, 2026, The

Powered by passion, backed by Ontario Made: Turning bold ideas into entrepreneurial success
Back in the winter of 2018, a brutal cold snap dropped temperatures in Merrickville to -46°C. Michael J. Bainbridge and Brigitte Gall looked outside and told their holiday visitors to
“We want this to be in the hands of everybody whose job it is to save lives in this crisis,” says company co-founder and CEO Malcolm Eade.
Learn more about Spectra Plasmonics by watching the full interview with Eade above.


