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Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, in unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills. Research by the Washington State Department of Health reveals that individuals using fentanyl test strips take steps to reduce their risk of overdose. Fentanyl is a powerful, fast-acting opioid that increases the risk of overdose.
Finding Fentanyl Test Strips: A Guide
Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities. Despite the off-label use, which is not FDA-approved, the test strips were considered drug paraphernalia and outlawed in almost every state for personal use until decriminalization efforts took off over the past two years. Under federal law, “paraphernalia” means any equipment or product that is primarily intended to introduce a controlled substance into the body.
Testing every time before you use may not be enough, and some drugs like weed don’t need to be tested at all. FTS may result in false positives or false negatives from manufacturing errors or if you do not follow instructions like diluting more when testing for the type of drug you are using. New strips designed for harm reduction purposes have been created, since the original forensics application made this pretty challenging.
Very often, it is mixed in with other drugs, such as heroin, coke, crack, and pressed pills, and is very difficult to detect. As a result, fentanyl in illicit drugs changes the landscape of opioid overdose dramatically. Testing drugs for the presence of fentanyl using fentanyl test strips can lower overdose risk.
Further studies should examine which fentanyl analogs are able to be detected in urine or drugs and to what degree of sensitivity. In general, our results suggest that rapid drug tests might be an acceptable intervention for young adults who use drugs for identifying adulterants in the drug illicit supply. Synthetic opioid overdose mortality among young adults has risen more than 300% in the USA since 2013, primarily due to the contamination of heroin and other drugs with illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
The presence of fentanyl in street drugs makes it more important than ever to recognize and treat a suspected overdose immediately. It’s important to make sure people know about fentanyl test strips because, if they’re buying a substance off the streets of Philly, they should assume there is fentanyl present in it. It only takes a few minutes to use fentanyl test strips so people can make informed choices for safer use. One man from West Philly even shared that he overdosed from taking a pill he thought was Percocet but happened to contain fentanyl.
Another participant described handing out 5–6 of her test strips to people she knew from the methadone clinic, who had previously mentioned wanting to know if fentanyl was in their drug supply. In general, participants expressed positive opinions regarding FTS, stating that they were easy to use and that they provided valuable information regarding the presence or absence of fentanyl in a drug sample. Respondents stated that the FTS were useful especially when a drug supply source was not trusted by the participants. The strips are provided to SF syringe access programs through the California Supply Clearinghouse, supported by the California Department of Public Health. In August 2017, in response to an increase in fentanyl in the drug supply in San Francisco, the DOPE Project partnered with the Syringe Access Collaborative (SAC) to pilot a fentanyl test strip monitoring survey. Most fentanyl test strips are between 96% to nearly 100% accurate in detecting the presence of even small amounts of fentanyl.
In recent years, the opioid crisis has heightened awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. As the potency of this synthetic opioid poses significant risks, it has become crucial to promote harm reduction strategies, including the use of fentanyl test strips. Understanding where to buy fentanyl test strips can empower individuals to take necessary precautions.
What are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl test strips are simple tools that can detect the presence of fentanyl in various substances, including heroin, pills, and powders. They are designed to provide a quick and easy way for users to check their drugs for this potent opioid.
Benefits of Using Fentanyl Test Strips
- Prevent Overdose: By testing substances before use, individuals can reduce the risk of accidental fentanyl exposure.
- Increase Awareness: Test strips serve as an education tool about the dangers of fentanyl.
- Easy to Use: They typically require only a small sample of the substance being tested.
Where to Buy Fentanyl Test Strips
Finding reliable sources for purchasing fentanyl test strips is essential for those interested in harm reduction. Here are some options:
1. Online Retailers
Many online retailers offer fentanyl test strips for discreet purchase. Consider checking the following platforms:
2. Local Drug Stores and Pharmacies
- Preliminary research has found mixed results regarding the efficacy and acceptability of fentanyl self-testing as harm reduction strategy.
- The first phase of the fentanyl test strip distribution program is funded by $1.25 million from Wisconsin’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act, and is one of many strategies DHS is using to reduce the harms of drug use.
- Definitely at home, I would definitely do it at home where it’s more secure and I don’t have to worry about anything else (Respondent 37, white female, age 28, residue testing group).
- Participants also received resources which included fentanyl harm reduction suggestions, instructions on how to recognize an opioid overdose, and information on local resources.
Some local pharmacies may carry fentanyl test strips, especially in areas heavily impacted by the opioid crisis. It’s advisable to call ahead to check availability.
3. Harm Reduction Organizations
Many non-profit organizations focused on harm reduction provide fentanyl test strips for free or at low cost. Reach out to local organizations such as:
- The National harm reduction coalition
- Your local health department
- Community-based organizations devoted to addiction recovery
4. Needle Exchange Programs
Participating in needle exchange programs can also yield access to fentanyl test strips, as they often offer a range of harm reduction supplies.
FAQs about Fentanyl Test Strips
Are fentanyl test strips accurate?
Fentanyl test strips are generally regarded as accurate, but they may not detect all fentanyl analogs. It’s important to combine their use with other harm reduction practices.
How do I use fentanyl test strips?
Using fentanyl test strips is simple:
- Prepare a small sample of the drug.
- Mix the sample with water as instructed.
- Dip the test strip into the solution.
- Wait for the results based on the strip’s instructions.
Can I get fentanyl test strips without a prescription?
Yes, fentanyl test strips are typically available without a prescription, whether purchased online or through harm reduction programs.
By knowing where to buy fentanyl test strips, individuals can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of fentanyl exposure and overdose. Awareness and accessibility are vital components in combating the opioid crisis.
