Fentanyl Test Strip Use and Overdose History among Individuals on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Harm Reduction

Background:

• Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. have surged, with fentanyl-related fatalities doubling annually since 2013.
• Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a key tool for detecting fentanyl in illicit substances.
• Individuals with opioid dependence show strong support for FTS as a harm reduction strategy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess fentanyl use patterns, knowledge of FTS, willingness to use FTS, and overdose history.
• To investigate these factors within a population receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD).

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among 105 individuals on MOUD.
• Data collected included demographics, overdose history, fentanyl use, FTS awareness, and willingness to use FTS.

Main Results:

• 63% of participants reported a non-fatal overdose; 85% expressed willingness to use FTS.
• 70% were concerned about fentanyl in their drug supply, and 77% suspected unintentional past fentanyl exposure.
• Awareness of FTS was low (47%), with only 17% reporting prior use.

Conclusions:

• Findings confirm high willingness but low uptake of FTS among individuals on MOUD.
• Widespread education and implementation of FTS are crucial for primary overdose prevention.
• FTS represent a vital strategy to reduce overdose fatalities and improve harm reduction outcomes.