What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50-100 times as potent as heroin. People use fentanyl because it is cheap to manufacture and a small amount goes a long way. Many individuals consume fentanyl without knowledge while others use it intentionally because of its potency.

Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have quadrupled in recent years. Because these drugs are illegal and unregulated, people are often unaware of the exact composition of the substances they are using, and with fentanyl, because of its potency, that can be deadly. This makes evidence-based harm reduction strategies such as fentanyl test strips, safety planning, and access to safe supply more important than ever.  This can be lifesaving when using opioids but also other drugs as fentanyl is now being found in substances like meth and cocaine. 

Good news! Fentanyl test strips are now becoming available in Cortland County. These strips give people who use drugs the ability to test them before use to see if fentanyl is present. If it is, they can then decide to not use, use less or have a buddy present. 

Some initial tips:

1. Never use alone: Have someone with you so that someone can administer Narcan or call 911. If you don’t have anyon with, use the Never Use Alone Hotline: (800) 484-3731. Learn more here.  
2. Always have Narcan. If you use illicit drugs or opioids, you and your loved ones should consider having a Narcan kit. Fentanyl is now being found in many other drugs so this is important not just for heroin and other opioids. Multiple doses may be requires but Narcan can save your life. 

Fentanyl test strips: 

Also called “urine test strips” – contrary to the name, you do not have to pee on them.

How to use fentanyl test strips:

If you inject drugs:

1. Prepare your shot as usual with a sterile cooker and needle. Draw the shot up into a new syringe and set aside
2. Add a little water back into the cooker. You are going to test the residue. 
3. Open test strip and make sure to hold it by the top. Dip it into the cooker and keep it there for about 15 seconds. 
4. Next, you are going to lay it across the top of the cooker and wait for the results to appear. Results appear usually in 30 seconds.

If one line appears, it is positive for fentanyl. If two lines appear, it is negative for fentanyl. Although the test will not tell you the percentage of fentanyl in the drug, knowing if it is there or not is half the battle.

If you snort drugs or take pills:

If you snort drugs, you can empty the contents of your bag and add a little water to the empty bag and test the residue that way, and if you use pills, crush and mix them first, and then test them. 

Once you’ve gotten your results:

Once you have your results, you can now make an informed decision. If it is positive, you could maybe shoot half of your drugs back into another sterile syringe; this may be life saving and cost-effective. Another option is maybe not to use that drug, or, perhaps, there is another option that we haven’t discussed.

Just because you get a negative test doesn’t mean there isn’t fentanyl in your drugs- there may be one of the analogues that the strips don’t test for. That is why it is always safest to go slow; can always do more, but once it’s in you, you can’t take it back. 

The above video gives an in-depth explanation of how to use fentanyl test strips. They also explain which types of fentanyl their kits test for. 

Family and Children’s Counseling Services offers test strips to their clients, and at Community Narcan Pop-Up Events. Look at our website or Facebook Page for upcoming events.