The Province of British Columbia is backing a new AI-powered initiative to track the flow of toxic drugs, combining lab robotics, predictive analytics, and real-time data to strengthen public health and safety responses.
The pilot, led by Aidos Innovations in collaboration with the University of British Columbia and Vancouver-based Redwood AI, will receive $300,000 annually over two years. Known as “Track and Trace,” the program is designed to help law enforcement and frontline responders detect emerging drug threats earlier and better understand how substances move through communities.
“The illicit drug supply is changing faster than our warning systems,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Track and Trace will allow early detection of emerging drug threats and improve coordination across jurisdictions in B.C.”
At the core of the system is automated drug analysis using lab robotics. Substances seized by police are processed to identify detailed chemical signatures, which are then uploaded to a secure database. Artificial intelligence is then used to map distribution patterns and track how drugs spread across regions over time.
Redwood AI is working with Aidos to support the design and deployment of the platform’s analytical capabilities, contributing expertise in AI-driven chemical analysis and helping enable the detection and prediction of emerging threats in the illicit drug supply.
The system is expected to generate earlier warnings when particularly dangerous compounds appear, enabling faster responses from public health officials and law enforcement. The collaboration is also aimed at supporting public safety efforts in response to the ongoing fentanyl crisis in British Columbia.
“Through this innovative Track and Trace technology, drugs can be quickly analyzed to identify harmful compounds and map how they move through communities,” said Health Minister Josie Osborne.
In addition to supporting public health, the platform provides police with new tools to trace supply chains, detect diversion events, and better understand production methods linked to organized crime.
The pilot marks the first program of its kind in Canada and reflects a growing effort to apply AI and advanced analytics to one of the province’s most urgent challenges.
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