Fentanyl Test Strips
It is becoming more common for street drugs to contain fentanyl. Even in small doses, fentanyl is a very deadly drug (Picture 1). Even if you think your drugs come from a safe source, they may have fentanyl in them.
Test Strips
- Test strips help you know if there is fentanyl in your drugs. You could overdose even if the strip says there is no fentanyl in your drugs. You can also overdose on the drugs you are taking. These test strips are not guaranteed to find all forms of fentanyl.
- Taking the time to use test strips may help save your life or someone else’s.
Reduce Your Risk
Fentanyl is never mixed evenly with other drugs. A piece of the drug you’re using may not have fentanyl in it, but other pieces may.
- If you don’t want to test a whole pill, break it in half and test it from the middle.
- Testing your supply gives you the chance to choose if you want to take the drug or not. You may also choose to start with a smaller amount than usual.
- Have a friend with you when using drugs. If you start to overdose, they can give you naloxone (NARCAN®). Make sure they know where you keep it and how to use it.
- Download the apps Connected by Lifeguard or The Brave App on your phone. Test them if you are alone to make sure you can get help if needed.
Testing
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Step 1 – Preparing the drugs |
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Option 1: best choice 1. Put water in a clean container. 2. Place all the drugs you plan on using in the water. 3. Go to Step 2 |
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Option 2: next best choice 1. For pills, crush them up on a clean surface until they’re a fine powder. 2. Place the crushed pills or powder in a small plastic bag. 3. Shake the bag to mix them. 4. Empty the pills from the bag and put them to the side. There will be a small amount of powder left inside the bag 5. Go to Step 2. |
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Option 3: last choice · Put 10 milligrams (mg) of the drugs in a clean, dry container. · If you cannot test 10mg, test a few grains. · Go to Step 2 |
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Step 2 – Adding water *very important* |
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· Add water to your dissolved or crushed drugs. Mix them together well. · For meth, MDMA, and ecstasy, use 1 teaspoon of water for every 10mg of crystal or powder you test (Picture 3). A bottle cap holds 1 teaspoon of water.
· For all other drugs, use ½ teaspoon of water. After testing the drug, it can be snorted, drank, or used with |
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Step 3 – Using a test strip |
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1. Place the test strip in the water solution with the wavy side facing down. 2. Let the strip soak in the water for 15 seconds. 3. Take the strip out of the water. 4. Place it on a flat surface for 2 minutes. 5. Read the results. Do not use the same strip more than one time. |
Results
Pay close attention. This test is opposite from other tests you may have used before. Be aware that negative results can still contain unfound forms of fentanyl. There is still a chance you will overdose.
Positive test results
- Fentanyl or a similar synthetic opioid was found in your drugs. They are not safe to use.
Negative test results
- Fentanyl or a similar synthetic opioid was not found in your drugs.
- No test is correct 100% of the time. Fentanyl or another synthetic opioid could still be in your drugs.
Invalid test results
- No lines or no control line. The test strip didn’t work. Test again with a new strip.
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