Overdoses Soared Even as Prescription Pain Pills Plunged
Fentanyl
New Fentanyl Test Strips Portal Coming Soon for Pennsylvania
White House Rolls Out Strategy to Battle Deadly Drug Mixture of Fentanyl and Xylazine
Pennsylvania Cracks Down on New Opioid Cutting Agent
Shapiro Administration Seeks Provider Input in Preparation for Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution
Effective January 1, Act 111 of 2022 amended the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips (FTS) as drug paraphernalia in Pennsylvania, making them a legal, low-cost method to prevent drug overdoses.
The Pennsylvania Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Health, and Human Services, and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency have created a survey to gauge interest in and demand for FTS as the administration works to make them available at no cost across the commonwealth. The survey contains questions on currently available trainings/materials, preferred brands, and current distribution methods and takes about five minutes to complete.
Organizations are urged to complete the survey here and to distribute the link to others.
New PA Law Decriminalizing Fentanyl Test Strips Takes Effect This Week
Act 111, which amends the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act of 1972 to no longer define fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia, took effect Monday. Under the new law, people in Pennsylvania who buy or carry fentanyl testing strips will no longer face potential criminal charges for possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. FTS are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables).
Harm Reduction Bills for Fentanyl Abuse OK’d by Pa. Senate Committee
Lawmakers’ Fight Over Fentanyl Comes Down to Prosecution and Sentencing Reform
