DPH to begin including fentanyl test strips in Narcan kits
DOVER, Del. – Fentanyl test strips will soon be included in Narcan kits distributed to the public in Delaware.
The Delaware Division of Public Health’s Office of Health Crisis Response made the announcement Monday morning, saying the effort is part of a harm-reduction strategy aimed at preventing accidental overdoses due to fentanyl consumption.
We’re told fentanyl is now the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the First State, found in over 80% of fatal overdoses. According to Division of Forensic Science data, there were a total of 515 overdose deaths in Delaware in 2021, which is an increase of 15% from 2020.
These test strips will allow individuals to test marijuana, cocaine, meth, ecstasy, and other substances for the presence of fentanyl. Officials say the strips are highly sensitive and will detect fentanyl down to 0.1 mcg/ml. Fentanyl cannot be detected by sight, taste, smell, or touch.
“Including fentanyl test strips in Narcan kits, is part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce overdose deaths in the state,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “The test strips are a preventive measure. After a test strip detects fentanyl, an individual can choose not to use the drug based on the risk. However, if they choose to use, they can implement alternative harm-reduction strategies, like going slow, not using as much, or/and not using alone. Having Narcan in the same kit empowers family, friends, and neighbors to act in the event of an overdose. Those living with substance use disorder should designate someone trained in using Narcan to check on them. We will continue to discourage drug use and encourage people to seek treatment, but for persons with substance use disorder, we are using a compassionate approach to help raise awareness and empower friends and family to act in an emergency situation.”
47 ABC’s Rob Petree spoke with Katie Capelli with the Delaware Division of Public Health who
“If you’re not ready for treatment, not everyone is ready for treatment, we’re not saying to stop using, we’re just saying that we don’t want this next dose to be your last, so get these test strips, they’re just a mechanism, one mechanism to help you potentially save your life,” Capelli stated. “We want you to test your drugs. Unfortunately, again, fentanyl has been in so many different drugs that you might not suspect.”
The testing strips are actually very simple to use and only require the drug in which you are testing, the strips themselves, and some water.
“Use a little bit of water and mix the residue of the drug in that water and then dip the test strips, 30 seconds in that water, and then let it rest for about 5 minutes and it’ll come back whether or not it has fentanyl in there, or it’s not confirmed that it has fentanyl in there,” Capelli said. “Two lines means that it’s not confirmed that there’s fentanyl, and one line means that there is fentanyl in the drug of choice.”
Testing strips were considered paraphernalia in the First State unless they were being used for clinical purposes, but on June 3, 2021, Governor John Carney signed Senate Bill 76, which allows for the distribution of fentanyl test strips to be used by lay individuals and organizations.
Fentanyl test strips are legal in Delaware. The Division of Public Health also distributes 10-pack fentanyl test strip kits through a free mail-in order program.
