Federal Funds Can Now Be Used to Buy Rapid Fentanyl Test Strips

Thursday, April 8th, 2021 -- 11:01 AM

(WMTV) Some of the nation’s top health agencies announced Wednesday that federal funding can now be used to buy rapid fentanyl test strips in an effort to reduce drug overdose deaths that have spiked recently.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the spike in overdose deaths is driven by the use of strong synthetic opioids. This includes illegally manufactured fentanyl.

Tom Coderre, the acting assistant secretary for Mental Health and Substance abuse at SAMHSA, said this is a major step in preventing overdose deaths and getting treatment for those who have substance abuse disorders.

The agencies explained the fentanyl test strips can be used to determine if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl, which would allow people who use drugs with the necessary information to reduce an overdose risk.

CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the funding for these test strips are another tool for state and local health programs to use.

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