The pilot centre, slated to begin operations next month, will collect small quantities of drugs from the public, chemically analyse them and instantly display the exact composition of each sample.
Todd told reporters on Wednesday that the Glasgow service is designed as a harm‑reduction tool, saying it will “show how dirty Scotland’s drugs really are” and give users clearer information to avoid dangerous substances.
The initiative forms part of the Scottish Government’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) early‑warning system, which aims to identify emerging drug threats quickly and issue timely alerts to health and law‑enforcement agencies.
Todd highlighted the growing danger of novel synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, which have been linked to a heightened risk of overdose and death, and said the new service will be vital for spotting such compounds early.
The Glasgow hub is intended to be the first of a network, with additional facilities planned for Dundee and Aberdeen later in the year, as the government seeks to expand the model across the country.
She added that the Scottish Government has repeatedly urged the UK Government to approve more of these testing sites, stressing that data‑driven innovation is essential for protecting communities from evolving drug markets.