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Due to the drug’s potency, only a miniscule amount—the equivalent of several grains of salt—can cause an overdose death [23] and can be nearly impossible to identify in illicit drugs with the naked eye. In summary, this study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of take-home rapid fentanyl tests. We found a high willingness to use take-home rapid fentanyl test strips among young people who use drugs and are at risk for accidental fentanyl overdose. Initial results suggest that rapid fentanyl test strips may be an acceptable harm reduction intervention for communities facing growing rates of fentanyl overdoses. Study follow-up is ongoing to determine whether, how, and under what circumstances participants used these rapid test strips and if positive test results contribute to positive changes in overdose risk behavior.
Distribution Part Of Efforts To Reduce Drug Overdose Deaths
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is often added to other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills to increase their potency. Unfortunately, many people are unknowingly using fentanyl, which can lead to overdose and death. That’s why it’s essential to test any drugs you or a loved one may be using for the presence of fentanyl.
What Are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Test Drug Supply
Fentanyl test strips are a quick and easy way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They work by testing a small sample of the drug in question. The test strip is then dipped in water, and the results are available in just a few minutes. If fentanyl is present, two lines will appear on the strip. If fentanyl is not present, one line will appear.
Where to Buy Fentanyl Test Strips
Beyond Addiction: The Real Opioid Crisis
While we were there, we had the opportunity to do Narcan and fentanyl test strip trainings on stage for everyone in attendance. It was more effective using words like “Percs” or “Percocet “or “Oxy’s” rather than opioids or opiates. In certain neighborhoods, there are people who do not think of Percocet or Oxycodone pills as an opiate. When you get your result, you can make the decision about what to do next. Regardless of test results, start low, go slow, have naloxone/Narcan nearby and don’t use alone.
Fentanyl test strips are widely available and can be purchased from a variety of sources. Here are some options:
- Online retailers: Many online retailers sell fentanyl test strips, including Amazon and eBay. Be sure to read reviews and check the seller’s ratings before making a purchase.
- Syringe exchange programs: Syringe exchange programs often provide fentanyl test strips for free or at a low cost. These programs are designed to reduce the harm associated with drug use and can be a valuable resource for people who use drugs.
- Health departments: Some health departments provide fentanyl test strips to the public. Check with your local health department to see if they offer this service.
- Drug treatment centers: Drug treatment centers may provide fentanyl test strips to their clients. If you or a loved one is in treatment, ask your counselor or therapist if they offer this service.
Directions are very easy to understand and the tests work better than the older blue strips. I had a false positive on an older test trip, retested with a new one and it was negative. It doesn’t harm a person to use Narcan if one is unsure what substances have caused the overdose, but it is only effective for opioid based substances. This material provides steps to take if a person has an opioid overdose and their breathing has slowed or stop.
It’s safest, therefore, to test the entire dose you intend to consume, and crush entire tablets to be sure nothing is potentially missed. Remember that one dose may not be representative of a whole batch, so it’s recommended to test every time you use. Many factors are involved when conducting a test and examining reactions, and The Bunk Police does not assume responsibility for the interpretation of results. Reactions of individual samples can vary depending on lighting differences and the specific mixtures of substances being tested. Bunk Police kits are intended for identifying unknown substances for harm reduction purposes only.
Using Fentanyl Test Strips
Using fentanyl test strips is simple and straightforward. Here’s how:
- Collect a small sample of the drug in question. This can be done by scraping a bit of the drug off a pill or snorting surface or by dissolving a bit of the drug in water.
- Dip the test strip in the water sample for 15 seconds, making sure the test pad is fully submerged.
- Lay the test strip on a flat surface and wait for the results. Results should be available in just a few minutes.
- Interpret the results. Two lines indicate the presence of fentanyl, while one line indicates the absence of fentanyl.
Thankfully, despite the fact that technically, fentanyl test strips have been illegal, they have been relatively available through harm-reduction organizations and substance-use-disorder treatment organizations. It’s been a great resource to be able to offer those to people and to start a conversation about understanding contamination and the risks of unintentional overdose. Right now, we exist in an era where the illicit drug supply in this country is unregulated, contaminated, and often poisonous. One way to keep people safe is to give them knowledge of what it is that they’re using.
- Fentanyl is commonly mixed with other drugs and is more than 50 times more powerful than heroin.
- Here, participants describe how they would use an initial smaller dose of the drug they tested, a “test shot,” in reaction to a positive FTS result.
- CallClick here to find the health department location closest to you.
- However, due to the increased and varying potency of fentanyl and related analogs, naloxone doses previously adequate to reverse an opioid overdose may not be consistently sufficient [20].
- 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.
- JLY and BDLM conceived the pilot study and approved the final manuscript for submission.
Conclusion
Fentanyl test strips are an essential tool in the fight against opioid overdose. They are widely available and easy to use, making them an accessible way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. If you or a loved one uses drugs, consider purchasing fentanyl test strips to help reduce the risk of overdose.
