Short video explainer on how to use fentanyl test strips.
Transcript: How to Use a Fentanyl Test Strip: A Safety Guide
Hello! We are peer navigators with Erie County Department of Health. My name is Parker, and I am the HIV peer. With me today is Nick and Jeff who are Substance Use Peers who have firsthand experience with Substance Use Disorder. We have seen first-hand the damaging impact of opioids and other substances on our community and have also seen how harm reduction strategies—like the fentanyl test strips can reduce the risk of overdoses and death.
If you are planning to use an unregulated substance you should know if it is contaminated with fentanyl. We are here to help, not judge. This guide will show you how to use a fentanyl test strip to detect the presence of fentanyl and reduce the risk of a fatal overdose.
What you’ll Need is water, your substance, your test strip, and something to stir your substance with (like a toothpick or another utensil).
These are step by step instructions to prepare your substance.
For all substances use about 10 milligrams of the substance. If need be, use the rinse which is the remainder left in the cap after preparing a shot. You can also mix water in the empty bag the substances were in.
For pills, crush each pill individually and put about 20 milligrams into the water.
Mix in the water until fully dissolved.
Step two for preparing your water.
For meth, MDMA and ecstasy, fill a container with 1 teaspoon of water.
For other drugs, like heroin, cocaine, crack, ketamine and pills from nonmedical sources, use a half teaspoon of water.
You can use a cup, the cap from a water bottle, or even the bag that the test strips come in.
Step 3, test with the strips.
Open the test strip package and take one out. Dip the end with the blue triangles into the water for at least 10 seconds.
Step 4, wait for results.
Remove the strip from the water and wait about 60 seconds to see your results.
Hello, my name is Nicholas Ross. I am a Peer Navigator with the Erie County Department of Health, Office of Harm Reduction.
I am going to talk to you about understanding the results of your fentanayl test strip.
So if you have two lines there is no fentanyl detected.
If you had one line that shows up your substance likely contains fentanyl, which could be dangerous.
Important note on that: False negatives can occur, so it’s crucial to always have Narcan on hand as a precaution.
Fentanyl test strips will not detect xylazine. Our department does have xylazine test strips, and the process to use those is similar to using the fentanyl test strips.
You can always remember that Erie County has resources for you and family members.
You can always text 716-225-5473 to have Narcan or test strips mailed to you for free.
Also, it is important to never use alone.
Have a trusted person with you, if you are using together, take turns.
Go slow by taking small amounts and waiting in between uses.
If you are alone consider calling the Never Use Alone service at 1-800-484-3731.
Thank you for watching and visit www.erie.gov/harmreduction for more resources.
