Fentanyl strips can reduce number of overdose deaths

More than 120,000 fentanyl test strips have been distributed to organizations across the state, to help prevent drug overdose deaths. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin.

“Wisconsinites who use drugs are more likely to encounter fentanyl than ever before,” said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Tragically, many people who use drugs have no idea they are ingesting fentanyl until it’s too late.”

Fentanyl test strips are dipped into drug residue dissolved in water. Within minutes, a person can know whether the drug contains fentanyl. A tiny amount – as little as two grains of salt – is enough to kill someone.

With information from the test, a person can take steps to reduce their risk of an overdose. In Wisconsin, fentanyl is present in many drugs, including cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, as well as pills made to resemble prescription medications.

Because fentanyl is unable to be detected by sight, taste, smell or touch, people taking drugs not purchased from a licensed pharmacy, should always use fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl test strips do not provide information about the amount or strength of fentanyl in a drug supply.

The first phase of the DHS fentanyl test strip distribution program, is a partnership with tribal nation health clinics, county health and human services departments, county and municipal health departments, and organizations that work with people who inject drugs. These agencies are receiving fentanyl test strip packages directly from the manufacturer.

Each package contains one fentanyl test strip and instructions on how to use it. The participating organizations are handing out the packages at no cost.

There is no limit on the number of fentanyl test strips that someone can receive through this program. Participating organizations have access to an unlimited supply of packages. Other types of organizations are expected to be eligible to participate in the program in future phases.

In 2020, there were 812 overdose deaths in Wisconsin, where illegally manufactured fentanyl was considered to be probable or suspected in contributing to the cause of death. The first phase of the fentanyl test strip distribution program is funded by $1.25 million from Wisconsin’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is one of many strategies the DHS is using to reduce the harms of drug use.

Since 2019, 134,280 doses of NARCAN have been distributed at no cost, through community agencies to people who use opioids or drugs that could be mixed with opioids, and their families and friends. NARCAN is the opioid overdose reversal drug.

So far this year, more than 5,000 overdoses have been reversed with NARCAN distributed through this program. NARCAN also can be purchased at more than 500 pharmacies, without a prescription under a standing order.

Additional fentanyl test kits and doses of NARCAN will be purchased, and distributed, with funds made available from the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement funds.

People struggling with substance use can contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline, to be connected to treatment options. Call 211 or visit addictionhelpwi.org.