Fentanyl test strips have become an essential tool in harm reduction efforts to prevent overdoses caused by this potent synthetic opioid. These test strips allow users to test their drugs for the presence of fentanyl, which can often be laced into substances such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills.
Why Use Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl Is A Lethal Weapon, But $1 Test Strips Offer A Defense
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that were originally created to detect fentanyl in urine. 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. Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.
Due to the increasing prevalence of fentanyl in the illicit drug market, using fentanyl test strips can help individuals avoid unknowingly consuming this dangerous substance. Fentanyl is significantly more potent than other opioids, increasing the risk of overdose even with small amounts. By testing their drugs with fentanyl test strips, users can make more informed decisions about their substance use.
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A thin test strip — similar to a pregnancy test — can detect whether a street drug contains the dangerous opioid fentanyl, according to a new report. In one study of 242 heroin users in British Columbia, 70 tested positive for fentanyl—and more than 50 of those hadn’t known they were using it. Seventy percent also said they would modify their behavior if they knew their drugs contained fentanyl, including avoiding the drugs, using them more slowly, or using them with others who have the antioverdose medication naloxone. The number of positive tests for fentanyl in samples of heroin seized by law enforcement agencies across Canada has grown from less than one per cent in 2012 to more than 60 per cent so far this year, exclusive data obtained by CBC News has revealed. A Vermont health care center has announced it will start giving away free test strips to determine if a drug contains fentanyl.
Fentanyl will not absorb through the skin from accidental exposure, and it is not strong enough to cause an overdose from airborne exposure. News articles about first responders overdosing from airborne fentanyl exposure is often the result of a panic attack. If you choose to use fentanyl, there are some practices that can help you minimize the risk of an overdose. Here are a few recommendations so you can be in control of your experience. SB 174 also increases criminal penalties for manufacturing or distributing fentanyl and for committing battery against a healthcare provider. While there are advocacy efforts underway to legalize test strips in all states, at present, it’s best to check out the laws in the state where a loved one resides.
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Where to Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips?
- The fentanyl test strips given away were packaged into kits including 10 strips, each with instructions on how to use them, a pocket-sized set of instructions with pictures, and information on fentanyl.
- Participants were then provided with ten strips to take home and a printout of what a positive or negative result looked like.
- Personalized support for addressing your child’s substance use or addiction available in English and Spanish.
- When the water evaporates and the pan is cool, you can scrape the residue off with a razor or other sharp item.
Tennessee recently changed its policy and legalized fentanyl test strips, no longer considering these prevention tools as paraphernalia.4 You can research state-by-state legality to find out more about access in your area online. These agencies are receiving fentanyl test strip packages directly from the manufacturer. Each package contains one fentanyl test strip and instructions on how to use it.
There are several online retailers and harm reduction organizations where you can purchase fentanyl test strips. Some popular options include:
Universities Should Provide Fentanyl Testing Strips
- DanceSafe: DanceSafe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health and safety within the nightlife and electronic music communities. They offer fentanyl test strips for sale on their website.
- The Bunk Police: The Bunk Police is another harm reduction organization that provides drug checking kits, including fentanyl test strips, for purchase online.
- Safer Party: Safer Party offers a variety of harm reduction supplies, including fentanyl test strips, to help individuals make safer choices when using drugs.
NVivo (version 11) was utilized for qualitative data retrieval and management. Ashley Perry, Intervention Case Manager from Project Weber/RENEW, explains how to use a fentanyl test strip. MSK helped conduct the surveys, drafted the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript for submission. JLY, JAB, ML, EB, JDR, TCG, and SEH helped revise the manuscript and assist with critical interpretations of the findings. The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, BDLM. The data are not publicly available due to them containing information that could compromise research participant privacy/consent.
If they’re doing that in their home, it’s not like being in a regulated laboratory where pharmaceutical drugs are being made, packaged, and distributed. Even a little bit can get cross-contaminated if you’re using the same surface to cut, bag, or weigh a substance. Someone may be buying what they think is cocaine or a benzodiazepine pill, but there could be small amounts of fentanyl present.
It’s important to note that fentanyl test strips are not foolproof and may not detect all forms of fentanyl or its analogs. However, they are still a valuable tool in reducing the risk of fentanyl-related overdoses and promoting harm reduction practices.
When purchasing fentanyl test strips, be sure to follow the instructions provided and use them in conjunction with other harm reduction strategies, such as never using drugs alone and carrying naloxone in case of overdose.
By utilizing fentanyl test strips and practicing harm reduction techniques, individuals can take steps to protect themselves and others from the dangers of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.
