Where To Buy Fentanyl Test Strips

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Understanding Fentanyl Test Strips

Participants expressed that FTS were an efficient and straightforward tool, and many reported distributing them to other persons in their social networks. Participants also discussed the value of FTS as a harm reduction tool for identifying fentanyl contamination and informing overdose prevention behaviors. Take home rapid tests that have the ability to detect the presence of fentanyl and other analogs may offer PWUD additional options for overdose prevention in the face of increasing contamination in the US drug supply.

Based upon the evidence-based effectiveness of fentanyl test strips in reducing overdoses, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association endorse the use of test trips. As a result of this grant, many local health departments and harm reduction centers now provide fentanyl test strips. You can check with your local health department for availability and information on where to buy fentanyl test strips in your community. We’ve seen that with naloxone [used to treat overdose] and naloxone distribution. Counties that have greater access to naloxone have lower rates of overdose death, and that’s been shown here in Massachusetts. From May 2017 to mid-July 2017, the first 40 participants were instructed to use the FTS to test their urine (after drug use).

Fentanyl test strips are a crucial tool in the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis. These strips allow users to check their substances for the presence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that can be lethal even in small amounts. Given the increasing prevalence of fentanyl in various illicit drugs, knowing where to buy fentanyl test strips is essential for harm reduction efforts.

More than 70,000 people died of drug overdoses last year—the equivalent of about three 747 plane crashes each week. Act 111, which amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia, took effect Monday. Under the new law, people in Pennsylvania who buy or carry fentanyl testing strips will no longer face potential criminal charges for possession of drug paraphernalia. While harm reduction strategies like Fentanyl test strips and Narcan are vital steps in treating drug addiction, the safest way to avoid an overdose is abstinence. While this is assuredly easier said than done, treatment programs exist to help bridge the gap between harm reduction and long-term recovery. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times as powerful as morphine and up to 50 times as powerful as heroin.

This includes support for increased use of a broad array of harm-reduction efforts services such as fentanyl drug test strips. Learn more about drug test kits and how the AMA supports efforts to increase access to fentanyl test strips and other substance test kits for the purpose of harm reduction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). In 2022, 68% of the 107,081 reported drug overdose deaths were from synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl. Xylazine has been increasingly found in fentanyl products, and the percentage of fentanyl-involved deaths with xylazine detected increased 276% from January 2019 to June 2022.

Personalized support for addressing your child’s substance use or addiction available in English and Spanish. Please fill out this form if you’re an individual interested in a fentanyl test strip kit. For dilution ratios and more information, see our How to Test Fentanyl page. 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. Training programs in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services website. Overdose Lifeline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease of substance use disorder.

Third, we only assessed lifetime overdose history generally and did not ask participants about their experiences with opioid overdose specifically. It is possible that participants who have previously experienced an opioid overdose, or had an overdose they thought was caused by fentanyl, may be more willing to use the fentanyl testing strips. Finally, this study relied on self-report, which may be subject to socially desirable reporting. However, evidence has shown a high association between willingness to use a harm reduction program and subsequent uptake of the intervention among people who use drugs [38]. In sum, FTS may prove to be an important harm reduction tool, particularly in the context of the US opioid overdose crisis, as fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are increasingly responsible for the rising rate of overdose fatalities in the US [6]. This study is among the first to explore the perceptions and use of FTS among young adults who use drugs.

Why Use Fentanyl Test Strips?

Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger than fentanyl, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone if someone is overdosing. 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. Partnership to End Addiction is here if you need help thinking this through.

Fentanyl contamination primarily occurs in powders and pressed pills. 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. The biggest risk factor is that people are often exposed unintentionally and don’t know to take the proper precautions to use this drug safely.

Using fentanyl test strips can significantly reduce the risk of overdose by enabling users to make informed choices about their drug use. The benefits include:

• Increased Awareness: Strips provide immediate feedback on the presence of fentanyl.
• Harm Reduction: Users can choose to avoid or dilute substances that test positive for fentanyl.
• Prevention of Overdoses: Early detection can save lives by preventing unintentional consumption of fentanyl.

Where to Buy Fentanyl Test Strips

Understanding where to buy fentanyl test strips can empower those at risk of opioid use to take proactive steps in ensuring their safety. Here are several options:

1. Online Retailers

• Amazon: A variety of test strips available for discreet purchase.
• Harm Reduction Websites: Websites dedicated to harm reduction often sell test strips, sometimes with additional educational resources.
• Pharmaceuticals: Online pharmacies may also offer fentanyl test strips, ensuring they comply with legal guidelines.

2. Local Health Departments

Many health departments provide fentanyl test strips for free or at a low cost as part of their harm reduction programs. Contacting local health officials can yield information on:

• Availability
• Distribution programs
• Educational resources

3. Needle Exchange Programs

Needle exchange and harm reduction programs commonly distribute fentanyl test strips. These programs often aim to reduce the health risks associated with drug use and provide:

• Free test strips
• Safe injection supplies
• Access to addiction services

4. Community Organizations

Various community organizations focused on substance use prevention and harm reduction may offer fentanyl test strips. It’s wise to check with:

• Local non-profits
• Substance abuse clinics
• Support groups

• In absence of the option to test, people planning to use these substances should always use safer use strategies and have naloxone on hand.
• Those tests opened my eyes, and it has saved my life, and I can gladly say I haven’t taken any more because I was going to take two bags.
• But if you’re going to use street drugs, testing them for fentanyl first might save your life.
• Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative that is approved by FDA for animal use, but not for people.
• Research by the Washington State Department of Health reveals that individuals using fentanyl test strips take steps to reduce their risk of overdose.

FAQs About Fentanyl Test Strips

1. Are fentanyl test strips accurate?

Yes, but their accuracy can depend on the substance being tested and the method of use. They are best used as a preliminary screening tool.

2. How do I use fentanyl test strips?

To use the strips, dissolve a small sample of the drug in water and dip the strip into the mixture. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then check for the results as per the instructions provided with the strips.

3. Is it legal to buy fentanyl test strips?

Generally, purchasing fentanyl test strips is legal in most areas, but laws can vary by location. It’s essential to verify local regulations.

4. Can I use these test strips on all drugs?

While most fentanyl test strips are designed for use with powdered substances, they may not be effective with all forms or substances. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific usage instructions.

Conclusion

Knowing where to buy fentanyl test strips is a vital step for individuals at risk of opioid use. By taking advantage of available resources, users can enhance their safety and reduce the likelihood of overdose. Harm reduction is a community effort, and everyone has a role to play in addressing the opioid crisis effectively.