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As this was a small pilot study to provide proof of concept for the use of rapid fentanyl test strips, a larger efficacy study is warranted. Fifth, we did not assess reasons for not using the tests among the minority (23%) who reported not using the strips at follow-up. Further research is needed to determine why some participants may not engage in pre- or post-consumption drug checking in settings where the technology is available.
Is Suggesting Fentanyl Test Strips To A Loved One Encouraging Their Continued Substance Use?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is often mixed with other drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills, and can be deadly even in small amounts. Fentanyl test strips are a simple and effective way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs, and can help prevent accidental overdoses.
What Are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Report Proposes Fentanyl Test Strips To Prevent Overdoses
Find information on trainings, education, access to Naloxone and supplies, and other harm reduction resources. Satisfy the new eight-hour MATE Act training requirement on treating patients with opioid or other substance use disorders with CME from AMA Ed Hub™. If you decide to use the drugs after testing them, you can drink them or inject them. You can speed up the process by putting the dissolved drugs in a pan in the oven on the lowest setting (maximum of 225 F) while keeping the oven door cracked. When the water evaporates and the pan is cool, you can scrape the residue off with a razor or other sharp item. When you use an illegal drug, there’s no guarantee that it contains what the dealer or person who gave it to you says it does.
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They work by detecting the chemical markers of fentanyl in a drug sample. To use a fentanyl test strip, a small amount of the drug is dissolved in water, and the strip is dipped into the solution. The strip will then display a positive or negative result, indicating whether or not fentanyl is present.
2023 marks the third year a bill has been introduced in the Kansas Legislature to decriminalize fentanyl test strips. In 2022, the bill passed unanimously in the House but stalled in the Senate. This legislation has continuously had support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. One line appearing on the test strip indicates a positive result – fentanyl is present. Two lines, or a negative result, means no fentanyl has been detected. They were originally designed to check urine for fentanyl, but harm reduction advocates found that the tests could work when a little bit of the product was mixed with water.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Test Strips?
Universities Should Provide Fentanyl Testing Strips
Fentanyl test strips are widely available online and in some physical retail locations. Here are some options for where to buy fentanyl test strips:
- Online retailers: There are many online retailers that sell fentanyl test strips, including Amazon, eBay, and drugstore.com. When purchasing online, be sure to choose a reputable seller and read reviews carefully to ensure that you are getting a genuine product.
- Syringe exchange programs: Many cities and states have syringe exchange programs that provide free or low-cost fentanyl test strips to people who use drugs. These programs are often run by local health departments or non-profit organizations, and may also offer other harm reduction services such as Narcan distribution and overdose prevention education.
- Community-based organizations: Some community-based organizations, such as harm reduction organizations and drug user unions, may also provide free or low-cost fentanyl test strips. These organizations may also offer other services such as counseling, support groups, and access to treatment.
There are several different types of test strips and public health agencies instruct people who use drugs. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department), CDC, and California Department of Public Health offer guidance on how to use fentanyl test strips. In an effort to save lives and improve people’s wellbeing, SAMHSA is highlighting for grantees that federal funding may be used to purchase rapid fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips for drug checking purposes in certain grant programs.
Legal, pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Legally made fentanyl can be diverted through theft, fradulent prescriptions, and illicit distribution. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is distributed in powder or tablet (pill) form through illegal drug markets.
Can A Simple Fentanyl Test Curb San Francisco’s Overdose Crisis?
Conclusion
- Fentanyl mixed (adulterated) with xylazine has been declared an emerging drug threat (link) by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy.
- Third, adaptations to the kit and distribution approaches emerged.
- Speak with a healthcare provider or visit the links below for support and treatment resources.
- People using xylazine can develop a dependence and may be at risk of withdrawal.
Someone may be buying what they think is cocaine or a benzodiazepine pill, but there could be small amounts of fentanyl present. That is incredibly risky and puts them at great risk of overdose. The inexpensive strips have been embraced by treatment organizations as a way to reduce harms from illicit drug use. Nearly 40 states have legalized their use, according to the Network for Public Health Law. The Gazette spoke with Sarah Wakeman, the senior medical director for Substance Use Disorder at Mass General Brigham about the legal shift over use of the products. Fentanyl is to blame for 146 deaths in Vermont since 2016, when it overtook heroin and prescription painkillers as the most deadly opioid in the state.
Fentanyl test strips are an important tool for preventing accidental overdoses and promoting harm reduction. They are widely available online and in some physical retail locations, and can be a lifesaver for people who use drugs. If you or someone you know uses drugs, consider purchasing fentanyl test strips to help reduce the risk of overdose.
