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Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is often added to other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills to increase their potency, but this also increases the risk of overdose. Fentanyl test strips can help reduce the risk of overdose by detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs before they are used.
While it is possible for weed to be laced with opioids, it would be an inefficient delivery system for the drug despite this persistent myth. Fentanyl contamination primarily occurs in powders and pressed pills. 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.
What Are Fentanyl Test Strips?
CDC Supports State And Community-level FTS Efforts
Fentanyl test strips are a rapid testing tool that can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They are small strips that can be dipped into a solution of water and drug residue, and they will produce a positive or negative result within a few minutes. Fentanyl test strips are easy to use and can provide quick and accurate results.
See How Heroin User Tests Drug For The Presence Of Fentanyl
Learn more about fentanyl, how dangerous it is, how to use fentanyl test strips, and their limitations. North America is in the midst of an unprecedented overdose epidemic. In 2016, provisional data indicates that overdose mortality increased over 20% from 2015 to reach a record high of 64,070 deaths [1, 2]. The opioid overdose epidemic, once dominated by prescription opioid misuse, is now driven by the use of heroin and other illicit drugs [3,4,5,6]. Heroin-related deaths have quadrupled since 2010, while prescription opioid deaths have increased only slightly [7, 8]. 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].
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Test Strips?
Fentanyl test strips are available for purchase online from various retailers, including Amazon and DanceSafe. They are also available at some harm reduction organizations and syringe exchange programs. It is important to note that fentanyl test strips are not intended for use as a sole means of determining the safety of drugs, and they should always be used in conjunction with other harm reduction strategies.
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The process of testing methamphetamine is different than testing opioids and uses more water. 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 test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm.
No need to buy a milligram scale, containers to test in, or any measuring equipment. Fentanyl, a deadly opioid, is being added to drugs like heroin, cocaine, and pills. Fentanyl test strips can tell you whether there is fentanyl in drugs. I used one for myself, and then, the other nine I gave to my cousin who is a drug dealer, um, and I told him to give me nine samples of his dope, and I followed the video that I watched … And out of the nine that came back, seven were positive for fentanyl. So, I told him, you either have seven murder charges on your record, and you have the rest of your life in prison, you don’t get to see your kids get married, graduate.
- Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.
- One respondent proceeded to not use his drugs because of fear of overdose.
- A local West Virginia center accepts babies suffering from opioid exposure, offering specialized care for drug-caused Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
- With information from the test, a person can take steps to reduce their risk of an overdose.
- However, these fake pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.
Why Are Fentanyl Test Strips Important?
Fentanyl test strips can help reduce the risk of overdose by providing a way to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs before they are used. This can allow individuals to make informed decisions about whether or not to use the drugs, and it can also provide an opportunity to use safer drug use practices, such as using a smaller amount or using with someone else present. Fentanyl test strips are an important harm reduction tool that can help save lives.
Conclusion
Fentanyl test strips are an important harm reduction tool that can help reduce the risk of overdose by detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They are available for purchase online and at some harm reduction organizations and syringe exchange programs. It is important to use fentanyl test strips in conjunction with other harm reduction strategies and to always use drugs as safely as possible.
