When a person survives an overdose, it’s because someone was present, recognized that the person was overdosing, and responded to help them. Fentanyl overdose can happen through touching or being near fentanyl. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. MN residents can receive no-cost FTS kits from SRHN and our community partners. 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.
For instance, SIFs in Canada distribute FTS to their clients; however, clients must test their drugs in that same setting [51,52,53]. In Europe, drug testing largely takes place at music venues and mobile test sites with trained professionals [27, 54]. In contrast, syringe service programs (SSPs) in the US are just beginning to disseminate FTS to their clients for at-home use outside of a clinical or supervised context [40, 41]. State governments and departments of health, such as those in California, Vermont, and Maine, are also providing funding for the purchase and dispersal of take-home FTS through existing SSPs [37,38,39, 42]. However, there are debates as to whether there is sufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of home testing programs [32]. Given that FTS have the potential to return false negative results, PWUD using FTS may proceed to use their drugs without added precautions to prevent fentanyl overdose risk even if their drugs are contaminated with fentanyl.
SAMHSA Grant Programs
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often mixed with other drugs, making it difficult to determine if a substance contains this dangerous substance. Fentanyl test strips are an easy and affordable way to test for the presence of fentanyl in drugs, and can help prevent accidental overdoses.
Where to Buy 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.
- No need to buy a milligram scale, containers to test in, or any measuring equipment.
- The tests are advertised as being able to detect fentanyl analogs such carfentanil, acetyl fentanyl, and butyryl fentanyl, but further research is needed to determine if the tests are able to detect other novel fentanyl analogs [30].
- SHOP has drop-in info sessions at the Student Health Center with the Party Safe Team.
Fentanyl test strips can be purchased from a variety of sources, including:
How Does SHOP Provide Harm Reduction Services With This Program?
- Online retailers, such as Amazon and eBay
- Drug harm reduction organizations, such as the National Harm Reduction Coalition and DanceSafe
- Syringe exchange programs and other community-based organizations
Fentanyl can be cut into heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills with brand names like Vicodin, Oxycontin, Adderall and Xanax. People who use substances are at a high risk of overdose if they unknowingly consume fentanyl or take it in larger amounts than they are used to. The Massachusetts state Senate voted unanimously to legalize fentanyl test strips across the commonwealth earlier this month.
How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips
Health Care Coverage & Choice: Council On Medical Service Reports
Fentanyl test strips are easy to use and can provide results in just a few minutes. To use a test strip, follow these steps:
- Dissolve a small amount of the substance in water.
- Dip the test strip in the water for a few seconds, then remove it and lay it flat.
- Wait for the results to appear, which usually takes between 2-5 minutes.
In Philadelphia, fentanyl is often found in heroin and pressed pills (Xanax, oxys, percs) and could contaminate other drugs like cocaine, crack, and other stimulants. • No matter what drug they are using, ALWAYS HAVE NALOXONE/NARCAN. Fentanyl is frequently found in all drugs (cocaine, meth, street purchased pills, etc.)• TEST THE SUPPLY. Knowing whether fentanyl is present in the drug can help guide decisions related to use.• NEVER USE ALONE. Having someone with them allows them to call 911 and provide care if they overdose.• IF THEY DO USE ALONE, HAVE THEM ASK SOMEONE TO CHECK ON THEM. They can ask someone to check on them in 5 minutes (either by phone, text, in person).• BE AWARE OF THINGS THAT PLACE THEM AT GREATER RISK OF OVERDOSE.
FAQs
Q: Are fentanyl test strips accurate?
A: Fentanyl test strips have been shown to be highly accurate at detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs. However, they may not be able to detect all forms of fentanyl, and a negative result does not guarantee that a substance is safe to use.
In 2019, UCSF funded a successful pilot project to distribute fentanyl test strips to San Francisco veterans at the center. The pilot paved the way for similar projects at other Veteran Affairs’ centers nationwide. Opioid prescribing by physicians decreased for the 13th consecutive year, but overdose deaths related to illicitly manufactured substances continue to increase.
Q: Can I use a fentanyl test strip to test for other drugs?
A: No, fentanyl test strips are only designed to detect the presence of fentanyl. They will not provide accurate results for other drugs.
Q: Are fentanyl test strips legal?
A: The legality of fentanyl test strips varies by location. In some areas, they are considered drug paraphernalia and are illegal to possess or distribute. However, many harm reduction organizations and community-based organizations distribute fentanyl test strips as part of their efforts to prevent overdoses.
Q: Can I use a fentanyl test strip to test for fentanyl in my own body?
A: No, fentanyl test strips are only designed to test substances, not body fluids. If you suspect that you have been exposed to fentanyl, seek medical attention immediately.
Where can I buy fentanyl test strips? Fentanyl test strips can be purchased from a variety of sources, including online retailers, drug harm reduction organizations, and community-based organizations. They are a simple and effective way to test for the presence of fentanyl in drugs, and can help prevent accidental overdoses.
