Where To Get Fentanyl Test Strips And How To Use Them
Understanding Fentanyl Test Strips
These findings suggest FTS may represent an important harm reduction intervention for opioid overdose prevention among young adult PWUD. Fentanyl is a powerful, fast-acting opioid that increases the risk of overdose. 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.
Unfortunately, fentanyl’s high potency also means that even a small amount can be fatal. If the user isn’t aware that the drug they bought has been adulterated, this could easily lead to an overdose. A new CDC report shows that meth caused more fatal overdoses in the United States west of the Mississippi River than fentanyl in 2017.
However, many states are changing their policies to help prevent opioid overdoses and save lives. Tennessee recently changed its policy and legalized fentanyl test strips, no longer considering these prevention tools as paraphernalia.4 You can research state-by-state legality to find out more about access in your area online. Access this directory of Washington State syringe exchange programs.
We have the right to know the ingredients of what we put into our bodies, whether what we’re ingesting is food, alcohol, or drugs. Over the years, people who use drugs have developed strategies to keep our people safe. If you’re a veteran who uses opioids, ask your VA provider about prescribing naloxone, which is free. Crush the substance that you wish to test finely on a clean surface. Empty the bag and put your drugs aside in another container or clean surface. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 people died in 2021 from a drug overdose, the most ever recorded in a single year in U.S. history.
That means if you buy things like Percocet, Vicodin or OxyContin you didn’t get from a pharmacy with a prescription, you need to assume they are fakes that contain fatal amounts of fentanyl. Learn about The Texas Tribune’s policies, including our partnership with The Trust Project to increase transparency in news. The legislation would amend the Controlled Substances Act, which bans the use, sale, import and export of drug paraphernalia.
Second, the study represents a convenience sample of young adults in Rhode Island who use drugs. In addition, Rhode Island is severely affected by the fentanyl overdose epidemic, and findings may not be generalizable to other regions of the country in which IMF is not as prevalent. Third, the small sample size of our study may not be generalizable to larger populations. Additionally, the limited sample size impeded our ability to conduct multivariable analyses. As this was a small pilot study to provide proof of concept for the use of rapid fentanyl test strips, a larger efficacy study is warranted.
Fentanyl test strips are crucial tools designed to detect the presence of fentanyl in various substances. With the rise in fentanyl-related overdoses, these strips have become essential for harm reduction and safety.
Fentanyl test strips aren’t perfect, but most people find them easy to use. The best way to use them is to dissolve all the drugs you plan to use in water. Fentanyl might not be everywhere evenly in your product, so if you only test a portion of your supply you might end up missing it. Most are at least 96% accurate in detecting fentanyl as well as many fentanyl analogs (drugs that are chemically similar but not identical to fentanyl).
Review and follow the full test strip information before use, as directions may vary among tests. Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. In an attempt to encourage safer drug use behaviors, University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy students and their faculty advisor have made it their mission to distribute fentanyl testing strips to people who use street-purchased opioids.
Importance of Fentanyl Test Strips
Using fentanyl test strips can help individuals make informed decisions about drug use. Here’s why they are important:
- Harm Reduction: Prevents overdoses by allowing users to test substances before consumption.
- Awareness: Educates users about the presence of dangerous opioids like fentanyl.
- Accessibility: Makes it easier for people to take precautions in high-risk situations.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Test Strips?
Finding fentanyl test strips can be straightforward if you know where to look. Here are some options for purchasing them:
- Local Pharmacies: Many pharmacies now carry fentanyl test strips. It’s best to call ahead to ensure availability.
- Online Retailers: Websites such as Amazon and specialized harm reduction sites often sell fentanyl test strips.
- Community Organizations: Many non-profits focused on harm reduction offer test strips for free or at low costs. Look for local health departments or advocacy groups.
- Needle Exchange Programs: Some needle exchange programs provide fentanyl test strips as part of their services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are fentanyl test strips easy to use?
Yes, they are user-friendly. Most strips work similarly to pregnancy tests, providing results in just a few minutes.
2. How accurate are fentanyl test strips?
- The Division of Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction (SUPHR) provides test strips and naloxone to both individuals and organizations.
- If you are around people or situations where an opioid overdose may occur, such as someone in your family uses opioids, you can become trained on how to administer it and have some on hand in case there is an overdose.
- They were originally designed to check urine for fentanyl, but harm reduction advocates found that the tests could work when a little bit of the product was mixed with water.
- Each package contains one fentanyl test strip and instructions on how to use it.
- Fentanyl test strips aren’t legal everywhere because some states consider them to be drug paraphernalia (items you need to do drugs).
The accuracy can vary, but they are a reliable method for detecting fentanyl in various drugs.
3. Can I use fentanyl test strips on all drugs?
Fentanyl test strips are designed to detect fentanyl specifically, but they can be used on powdered substances.
4. Are there any age restrictions for buying fentanyl test strips?
Generally, there are no age restrictions, but some local laws may vary.
5. What should I do if I test positive for fentanyl?
If you test positive, consider not using the substance and seek help if you or someone else is at risk of overdose.
Conclusion
Knowing where can I buy fentanyl test strips is crucial for individuals who may be at risk. By using these strips, users can take steps to protect themselves and reduce the risk of overdose.
Make sure to stay informed and use fentanyl test strips responsibly to promote safety and awareness in drug use.
