What are fentanyl test strips?

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• Fentanyl test strips are small pieces of paper that can be used to determine whether fentanyl is present in a variety of different drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and in various drug forms, such as pills, power, and injectables. 

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How do I use fentanyl test strips?

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• Step 1: Put a small amount (at least 10mg) of drugs aside in a clean, dry container.

• Step 2: Add at least 1 full teaspoon of water to the container and mix.

• Step 3: Place the wavy end of the test strip in the water for about 15 seconds.

• Step 4: Remove the strip out of the water and place it on a flat surface for 2 to 5 minutes. 

• Step 5: Read the results:

  • If one line appears on the left-hand side of the test, fentanyl has been detected in your drugs. Discard the batch. Using it could kll you.

  • If two lines appear on the left-hand side of the test, fentanyl has not been detected in your drugs. However, remember that no test is 100% accurate and your drugs may still contain fentanyl even if it hasn’t been detected.

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Are fentanyl test strips legal in my state?

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• At the time of this writing, fentanyl test strips are legal in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

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What are opioids? 

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• Opioids are a class of drugs that include pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others, as well as illegal drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. 

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What is naloxone?

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• Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses opioid drug overdoses. It can quickly restore normal breathing if a person’s breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. It does not have an effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system nor is it a treatment for someone with opioid use disorder.

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How do I use naloxone?

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• Naloxone can be injected into the muscle or given as a nasal spray. The steps involved in responding to an opioid overdose can be found in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit.