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. IMF is added to other drugs, especially opioids, because of its extreme potency. This makes drugs cheaper, more potent, more addictive, and more dangerous. Because of the War on Drugs, misguided public health policy, and laws punishing drug use, the unsafe drug supply is growing.
If you are concerned about potential exposure to fentanyl, it is important to have a reliable way to test for its presence. Fentanyl test strips are a valuable tool in detecting the presence of this powerful synthetic opioid in substances such as drugs or even surfaces where contamination may occur.
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Fentanyl test strips are paper strips used to detect the presence of fentanyl in injectable substances, powders, and pills. The tests also check for many variations of fentanyl known as analogs. Being aware if fentanyl is present allows people to implement appropriate harm reduction strategies to reduce the risk of an overdose. It is not possible to give so much naloxone so as to harm a person. However, if a person is dependent on opioids (including people without substance use disorders, but on chronic pain medication) or has a habit, the more naloxone they get, the more uncomfortable they will be because of withdrawal symptoms.
Why use fentanyl test strips?
What Fentanyl Test Strips Are Used For
It is relatively cheap to make and allows an illicit drug manufacturer to stretch their product, make it more powerful and addictive, and gain more money for themselves. Because fentanyl isn’t detectable without a test strip, people taking fentanyl-laced drugs are at a greater risk of overdose. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl is a potent drug that can be extremely dangerous, especially when used unknowingly. Test strips provide a simple and cost-effective way to detect the presence of fentanyl in various substances, helping to prevent accidental overdoses and potentially saving lives.
But you can also use them to see whether a drug contains fentanyl in just a few minutes. A Booklet for FamiliesCreated for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery.
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Where can I buy fentanyl test strips?
The powerful opioid fentanyl has been found in everything from methamphetamine and cocaine to marijuana and fake Adderall pills. Nearly 6,000 Californians died from fentanyl overdoses in 2021 alone. Cruelly, about one in every 25 of those deaths was a child 19 or younger, according to the latest data from the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. Fentanyl has been found in many different drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and ketamine. It can also be found in pills from nonmedical sources, pressed into counterfeit pills to look like prescription painkillers or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax® Klonopin®, and Valium®.
There are several online retailers and harm reduction organizations that offer fentanyl test strips for purchase. These test strips are typically affordable and easy to use, making them accessible to individuals who want to ensure their safety.
The results of this study demonstrate that many young PWUD at risk of a fentanyl overdose perceive FTS as a feasible and acceptable harm reduction tool. In this study, we assessed two different applications of FTS (urine testing and residue testing) and found that residue testing is more convenient and allowed for participants to know about fentanyl adulteration before drugs are consumed. The majority of participants suggested that FTS were straightforward to use and did not cite significant barriers to use.
- Some WA State syringe services programs can provide fentanyl test strips.
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times as powerful as morphine and up to 50 times as powerful as heroin.
- The training included watching a brief video on using the test strips for either urine or drugs followed by another video which described interpreting the test results.
- We suggest calling ahead to confirm inventory and in the case of pharmacy access, request information about co-pay.
It is crucial to only purchase fentanyl test strips from reputable sources to ensure their accuracy and reliability.
Whether you are a concerned individual, a healthcare professional, or a harm reduction advocate, fentanyl test strips can be a valuable tool in promoting safety and awareness around fentanyl exposure. By knowing where to buy these test strips, you can take proactive steps to protect yourself and others from the risks associated with fentanyl.
