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All naloxone training and overdose education were administered by trained research staff. The training protocol and other materials are available upon request. We report here the results of the baseline survey and the outcomes of the fentanyl strip test training and receipt of the take-home tests. Other research from Brown University showed that half of test strip users found fentanyl in their drug supply.
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 important to test your drugs for fentanyl before using them.
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What Are Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl test strips are a quick and easy way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They are small strips that can be dipped into a solution of water and drug residue. If fentanyl is present, the strip will show a positive result within a few minutes. Fentanyl test strips are inexpensive, easy to use, and can help prevent overdoses.
Overdose prevention education included information on how to safely use drugs (such as not drugs using alone, keeping naloxone nearby, and titrating doses), as well as materials on how to recognize and respond to an overdose. Participants also received naloxone training along with a 4mg intranasal naloxone kit to take home. Participants were subsequently asked if they had any questions or concerns about any of the aforementioned training materials.
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Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl test strips are available at many harm reduction organizations, drug treatment centers, and online retailers. Here are some places where you can buy fentanyl test strips:
- DanceSafe: DanceSafe is a nonprofit organization that promotes health and safety within the nightlife and music festival communities. They sell fentanyl test strips online and at their events.
- National Harm Reduction Coalition: The National Harm Reduction Coalition is a national advocacy and capacity-building organization that promotes the health and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. They sell fentanyl test strips online and at their trainings.
- Bunk Police: Bunk Police is a harm reduction organization that sells drug checking kits and fentanyl test strips online.
- Amazon: Fentanyl test strips are also available on Amazon, but be sure to check the seller’s ratings and reviews before purchasing.
Visit DanceSafe to learn more about how you can get fentanyl test strips as well as other drug testing supplies. You can also purchase strips for delivery from DoseTest and The Bunk Police. 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.
Fentanyl Kit
How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips
- The tests have high sensitivity and specificity for detecting fentanyl and some analogs [46].
- Additionally, 92% of the deaths were unintentional, and many victims were unaware that their drugs were laced with these dangerous substances.
- Fentanyl, which is 50 times as potent as heroin, laces many batches of heroin and cocaine, and it is now involved in at least half of all opioid overdose deaths.
- Opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate emergency attention.
- Xylazine Test Strips (XTS) are a tool to test drugs for the presence of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer.
Using fentanyl test strips is easy. Here are the steps:
- Crush a small amount of your drug and mix it with a small amount of water in a spoon or container.
- Dip the test strip into the solution for 15-30 seconds, making sure that the strip is fully submerged.
- Remove the strip from the solution and lay it flat on a clean surface. Do not touch the strip or allow it to come into contact with other surfaces.
- Wait 2-5 minutes for the results to appear. A single line indicates a negative result, while two lines indicate a positive result.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether young adults who use drugs were willing to use rapid test strips as a harm reduction intervention to prevent overdose. We hypothesized that those who had ever overdosed would be more willing to use the test strips. Fentanyl test strips are dipped into drug residue dissolved in water. Within minutes, a person can know whether the drug contains fentanyl.
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) does not provide medical advice. The information provided on the ECDOH website is not an attempt to practice medicine and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your personal physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or issue. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of the content found on the Erie County Department of Health website or this correspondence. Naloxone is very safe and can be given to someone even if you aren’t sure what substance they have used. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose and you have Naloxone, use it, and call 911.
Young adults reported high uptake and acceptability of fentanyl test strips to detect IMF in illicit drugs. There are several different types of test strips and public health agencies instruct people who use drugs. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department), CDC, and California Department of Public Health offer guidance on how to use fentanyl test strips.
Remember, a negative result does not guarantee that your drug is safe. Always use drugs in a safe and controlled environment, and never use drugs alone.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any drug testing equipment.
