Drug Checking Equipment
Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS)
IHS continues to support expanded harm reduction strategies to prevent the risk of unintentional opioid overdose. FTS are a form of drug checking equipment that can be utilized to mitigate harm and save lives. When exposed to substance residue, these strips can detect the presence of fentanyl, alerting a person using substances that additional safety precautions should be considered.
The IHS National Supply Service Center now stocks FTS to support sites' efforts to create access to drug checking equipment. If you are interested in ordering and providing this as part of a harm reduction service, submit an IHS-413 form per standard procedures. The IHS has released education, sample policies and program materials to further support local implementation plans:
- Fentanyl Test Strip Education [PDF 4.1 MB]
- Fentanyl Test Strip Funding [PDF 3.8 MB]
IHS Harm Reduction Program materials:
- IHS Harm Reduction Participant ID Card [DOCx 264 KB]
- IHS Harm Reduction Package Labels [DOCx 35 KB]
- Drug Checking Equipment Dispensing Log [DOCx 19 KB]
- Drug Checking Equipment Facility Policy [DOCx 19 KB]
IHS released an FTS video that provides information to help prevent overdose and discusses how to use FTS in the home.
Fentanyl test strips may be part of your facility's harm reduction strategies. State and tribal laws regarding the consideration of FTS as drug paraphernalia may vary. Please consider the implications of these laws in your area prior to product purchasing and deployment
Illegally made fentanyl is a potent opioid that greatly increases the risk of overdose and unintended death. It can be added to other substances without users knowing it, making an expected "safe" amount extremely dangerous. DEA reveals criminal drug networks are flooding the U.S. with deadly fentanyl by mass-producing counterfeit pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills. DEA lab testing discovers that 4 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. Learn more about counterfeit pills from the DEA Fact Sheet [PDF - 5.3 MB] and their One Pill Can Kill website.
Xylazine is a medication designed as a veterinary sedative. It is not an opioid, or controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act. Common effects include sleepiness, slow breathing, reduce heart rate, and other symptoms that mimic the effects of opioids. It is also being mixed with other substances as it can enhance euphoric effects.
Fortunately, people can take additional steps to protect themselves by testing their supply with either Fentanyl and/or Xylazine Test Strips (FTS/XTS). These strips are easy to use and interpret, telling people who use substances if either fentanyl or xylazine is present in a supply before using the dose. FTS/XTS can be distributed in a variety of settings and should be considered as a valuable harm reduction tool when offering coordinated care services.
The FDA Foundation, working with FDA and several operating divisions within HHS, held two roundtables exploring community and clinical perspectives on fentanyl drug checking and screening. Community participants discussed their experiences using FTS and other drug checking methods, and clinician and researcher participants shared their perspectives on both clinical fentanyl testing and distribution of FTS to patients.
- Read the Clinical Perspectives [PDF - 562 KB]
- Read the Community Perspectives [PDF - 593 KB]
