Expand Drug Testing Options

Introductory Paragraph

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used for the treatment of chronic severe pain or severe pain after surgery. It is 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and found in other illicit substances such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in order to increase the potency. Not only is Fentanyl extremely potent, but it is also considered to be low cost. For these reasons, illegal drug manufacturers continue to mix fentanyl with drugs to maximize profits despite the extreme risk of death and overdose. Even 2 milligrams of Fentanyl can be added to illicit substances and cause a lethal overdose for some individuals depending on their body size and history of usage or tolerance. It is possible, and very common, for someone to unknowingly take a drug that has been laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl. As a way to reduce the risks and impacts on society of drug overdoses, many health officials, government officials, organizations, and researchers believe that providing fentanyl testing strips (FTS) to individuals could have positive impacts on society and those living with substance use disorders.

Providing fentanyl testing strips could allow users to test for the presence of fentanyl in their drugs prior to using. Testing strips are reliable and highly sensitive, making it easy to detect fentanyl in a minimal amount of drug residue. To use, the individual dips the strip into water containing a small amount of drug residue. After a few minutes, the test will indicate either a positive or negative test. Two lines signify the absence of fentanyl and one line indicates the presence of fentanyl. Along with other harm reduction strategies, treatment, and education, society can begin to reduce the number of deaths due to overdose.

Key Information

Fentanyl in Different Forms’’’ Fentanyl is sold in pill form made to look like Oxycodone, Xanax, or other prescription/non-prescription opioids. Lethal amounts of fentanyl in counterfeit pills can be almost impossible to distinguish from legitimate prescriptions obtained from medical providers or pharmacists. It can also be mixed with methamphetamine and cocaine, making users at a higher risk of overdose(4). Many people who use substances are unaware of the contents of the drug they are taking. This lack of knowledge is responsible for the impact fentanyl has on the increasing number of drug overdoses each year in the United States (3). In 2017, fentanyl was found in over 50% of all New York City overdose deaths(2). Fentanyl strips could provide a way for users to detect the presence of fentanyl and give them multiple options to prevent the risk of overdose. Should someone use FTS and have a positive result, they would have the option to discard the batch, use less of the substance, use in the presence of others, or have naloxone on hand when using with others. Although the testing strips do not provide information on the amount of fentanyl added to a drug, it allows the user to gain insight into the trustworthiness of the dealer which may prevent them from buying tainted drugs in the future.

Where are FTS found?’’’ Most FTS are found at safe injection sites and needle exchange

Relevant Research

In this section, please capture any recent findings, reports, or data on the topic. Please also highlight any gaps or existing disparities. Please include references and links to the information so that we may add a footnote for the reader to find further information. Do we have any available research about discriminatory practices? Is there information about the value of access to educational opportunities?

Impactful Federal, State, and Local Policies

Please list any federal, state, or local laws, policies, or regulations that support this topic or ones that could be a possible barrier. Are there laws or policies other states should know about and replicate for success?

Available Tools and Resources

Oftentimes, there are already great resources in the field that have been developed, but they are not housed in a single place. Please use this section to share information about those resources and drive the reader to that resource. It may be a worksheet, toolkit, fact sheet, framework/model, infographic, new technology, etc. I suggest no more than 5 really good links and a corresponding description for the reader. We also can use this section to highlight some of the great resources and programs at SAFE Project.

Promising Practices

Please link to any best practice models or case studies that highlight creative/innovative or successful efforts in support of this strategy. Is there a community that does a really good job in this area that other communities should replicate? Please write a brief description and provide a link.