Maryland’s statewide drug checking program, the Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD), CY2026 Q2 Newsletter is now available! 

The Outreach One-Pager is a new addition to the RAD Quarterly Newsletter. It is intended to be a summary of the opioid, cocaine, and methamphetamine trends that can be used by outreach staff. It also highlights the variation in what a person intended to purchase compared to what they received. For example, nearly 4 out of every 5 samples contained something the person did not expect. If you have feedback on how this one-pager could be more helpful for outreach staff and/ or people who use drugs, please email Maggie Rybak (margaret.rybak@maryland.gov). 

Both of these reports are available on the RAD website and attached below. Rapid Analysis of Drugs Data is also available on Maryland’s Overdose Data Dashboard under “Overdose Prevention.”

Data Highlights

Since October 2021, a total of 6,926 samples have been collected. In Q2 CY2026 (4/1/26 – 6/30/26), 1,238 samples were collected from 22 OADPOPs in 16 jurisdictions. Of those samples:

• 76.5%% contained opioids 
• Of those samples, 96.2% contained fentanyl
• 28.27% contained cocaine
• 9.21% contained amphetamines
• 5.17% contained medetomidine
• 5.57% contained xylazine
• 60.74% of samples had multiple active ingredients.

Identification of emerging substances in MD: 

• Kratom/ Mitragynine: Regulated in MD in 2024. High-potency 7-OH sales were banned in MD in July 2026. Federal restrictions pending. Mitragynine: 5 samples in 2025, 0 samples in 2026. 7-OH: 1 Sample in 2025, 3 samples in 2026 (Cecil and Baltimore City)
• Cychlorphine (N-Propionitrile Chlorphine): A type of synthetic opioid (orphine), with high potency. Identified in 12 RAD samples since January 2026, in Baltimore City and Calvert.
• Benzodiazepines: April to July 2026, increased prevalence of multiple types of benzodiazepines in Baltimore City (4), Charles (20), Calvert (5), Frederick (2), Talbot (1). Full advisory available here.
• Synthetic Cannabinoids: RAD detected synthetic cannabinoids in 3 samples between April and June 2026. This represents less than 0.5% of RAD samples in the second quarter.

If you would like to be added to the RAD mailing list, please email margaret.rybak@maryland.gov.