New SRHN Overdose Prevention Initiative: Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS)
The Steve Rummler HOPE Network is excited to announce a new Overdose Prevention Initiative — we will now be providing free fentanyl test strips (FTS) in kits that will include an instruction card and four strips each.
The Rise of Overdoses Due to Synthetics
Fentanyl now accounts for 4 out of every 5 opioid overdose deaths in our state, and has increasingly been used to lace other drugs, including counterfeit pills often marketed to young or inexperienced users. These strips can test for the presence of fentanyl in any drug, and have become an important safety measure as overdose deaths attributed to synthetic opioids (including fentanyl) continue to rise. FTS became legalized in MN as of July 1, 2021 for anyone to obtain, use or distribute.
Our Kits
Our FTS kits include 4 test strips and an instruction card for testing. Each kit also has a QR code on the package sticker that links to an online survey. We encourage anyone picking up strips to fill this out each time they use a fentanyl test strip, this helps us and our community partners learn more about program effectiveness and opportunities for growth.
How to Obtain Strips
We are working to make fentanyl test strips available at all of our Naloxone Access Points, as well as through other partner organizations to make this resource as accessible as possible. You can also contact our office directly for a kit at overdoseprevention@RummlerHOPE.org.
If you are an organization interested in obtaining FTS kits in bulk quantity for your facility or you are interested in distributing kits in your community, please contact Alicia House at ahouse@RummlerHOPE.org
More Information
Earlier this month, we launched our Fentanyl Test Strip webpage, which includes important information on Fentanyl, Testing Instructions (and translations in Somali, Spanish, and Hmong), and Local Harm Reduction Services like syringe exchanges and more. We will continue to add information and update this page with educational resources.