There are a few ways to test for fentanyl in a drug sample, but the easiest (and only do-it-yourself) option is to use a test strip. It’s Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, “It’s not your fault!” and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.
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 unaware that their drugs contain fentanyl, which can lead to accidental overdoses.
Why Is Fentanyl Ending Up In So Many Different Types Of Drugs?
Why Are Fentanyl Test Strips Important?
Fentanyl test strips are a simple and effective way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They can help prevent accidental overdoses by alerting users to the presence of this dangerous substance. Fentanyl test strips are easy to use and can provide results in just a few minutes.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Test Strips?
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Data collected included monthly reports of kits distributed, manner of distribution (via outreach, other mechanism), and services provided or referrals made at kit distribution. Mid-pilot, small cups and instructions to dilute suspected methamphetamine samples were added to kits to improve test validity12 along with masks and hand sanitizer for COVID-19 safety. Midpoint and final convenings gathered agencies to share successes and challenges. An LGBTQ+ positive residential treatment program using evidenced-based, individualized strategies to help people recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
Fentanyl test strips are available for purchase at many harm reduction organizations, drug user unions, and online retailers. Here are some places where you can buy fentanyl test strips:
- Harm reduction organizations: Many harm reduction organizations, such as the National Harm Reduction Coalition and the Drug Policy Alliance, distribute fentanyl test strips for free or at a low cost. You can find a list of harm reduction organizations in your area by visiting the Harm Reduction Coalition’s website.
- Drug user unions: Drug user unions, such as the VOCAL-NY and the Urban Survivors Union, often provide fentanyl test strips to their members. You can find a list of drug user unions in your area by visiting the NAABT’s website.
- Online retailers: Fentanyl test strips are also available for purchase online from retailers such as DanceSafe and TestKitPlus. Make sure to choose a reputable retailer to ensure that you are purchasing authentic test strips.
- In absence of the option to test, people planning to use these substances should always use safer use strategies and have naloxone on hand.
- Overdose Lifeline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease of substance use disorder.
- Learn about the nation’s drug overdose and death epidemic, and the efforts made by physicians to end the epidemic in this AMA Advocacy Insights webinar.
Discovered during a study of opioids’ effects on the respiratory system in 1953 by Hamilton (MD) and Cullen (MD), wooden chest syndrome (WCS) is a rare condition that causes rigidity in skeletal muscles, making it hard for an individual to properly breathe. Exposure to intravenous fentanyl or other synthetic opioids poses a higher risk for developing WCS due to its high potency. Common physical signs of WCS are episodic “breath-holding spells,” tense abdominal muscles, a firmly locked jaw, and stiff extremities. In the most severe cases, an individual may not be able to breathe at all. This concept illustrates the importance of properly preparing your sample.
FAQs
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King County worked with Rescue Agency to create Laced & Lethal, a campaign to educate youth about fentanyl, and how to respond to overdose. Toronto’s increasingly unpredictable and toxic unregulated opioid supply 2023. Download fentanyl test result stickers that show the result of a fentanyl strip test. Fentanyl may also be cross-contaminating other drugs as they are stored or trafficked.
Are fentanyl test strips accurate?
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Yes, fentanyl test strips are highly accurate and can detect even small amounts of fentanyl in drugs. However, they may not detect all forms of fentanyl, so it is important to use caution when using drugs that may contain this substance.
Can I use fentanyl test strips to test drugs for other substances?
Syringe service programs provide support, information, naloxone, and other harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs, including people who take pills, smoke, inject, and more. Please contact your local public health authority (link) to learn more about services nearest to you. A greater percentage of those who were in the urine testing group reported cocaine use compared to those in the residue testing group (49% vs. 24%); otherwise, few baseline characteristics differed between these two groups. Additionally, about half of the participants from each group who received a positive test result reported altering the way they use drugs.
No, fentanyl test strips are specifically designed to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They will not detect other substances, such as cocaine or heroin.
How do I use fentanyl test strips?
Since the widespread introduction of illicitly manufactured fentanyl into the drug supply in North America in 2013 [11], fentanyl-related deaths have sharply increased [8, 14]. In the United States (US), six states that publish data on fentanyl-related fatalities reported that the number of overdose deaths attributable to fentanyl increased by over 350% between 2013 and 2014, from 392 to over 1400 [15]. In British Columbia, Canada, fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased over 600% from 2014 to 2016, with fentanyl being detected in 67% of all overdose-related deaths in 2016 compared to 25% in 2014 [16]. 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. Rapid test strips, which can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in drug samples (before use) or urine (after use), may help inform people about their exposure risk.
Fentanyl test strips are easy to use. Simply dissolve a small amount of the drug in water, then dip the test strip into the solution for a few seconds. Wait a few minutes for the results to appear, then check the strip for a line that indicates the presence of fentanyl.
What should I do if my drug tests positive for fentanyl?
If your drug tests positive for fentanyl, it is important to take precautions to prevent an accidental overdose. This may include using a smaller amount of the drug, using the drug with someone else present, and having naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal medication) on hand. It is also important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of an overdose, such as difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness.
