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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
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Author Spotlight: An Efficient Methodology to Confidently Differentiate and Characterize Fentanyl Analogs
Published on: November 8, 2024
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Highlighting variability in fentanyl test strip instructions using thematic content analysis
Cianna J Piercey1, Claire L Pince2, Hollis C Karoly3
1Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 1876 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1876, USA. Cianna.Piercey@colostate.edu.
Harm Reduction Journal
|June 23, 2025
Summary
Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are crucial for harm reduction, but online instructions vary significantly. Standardizing these instructions is essential to ensure accurate drug checking and prevent accidental fentanyl exposure.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Substance Use Harm Reduction
- Drug Checking Technologies
Background:
- Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are vital harm reduction tools for preventing unintentional fentanyl exposure among illicit drug users.
- Existing evidence supports FTS efficacy and acceptability, yet standardized usage instructions are lacking.
- Variability in FTS instructions may impact user trust and engagement with drug checking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate content variability in online fentanyl test strip (FTS) instructions.
- To identify common themes and discrepancies in FTS usage guidance.
Main Methods:
- A thematic content analysis was performed on 16 sets of FTS instructions.
- Instructions were sourced from the first three pages of a Google search using the term "fentanyl test strip instructions" in May 2024.
- Included instructions were in English and provided explicit usage guidance.
Main Results:
- Analysis revealed 26 codes and 4 major themes: FTS Information, Testing Methods, Test Results, and Additional Resources.
- Significant variability was observed across the 16 analyzed FTS instructions.
- The "Testing Methods" theme exhibited the greatest degree of inconsistency.
Conclusions:
- Inconsistent online FTS instructions can erode trust and lead to reduced engagement with this harm reduction strategy.
- Standardized and easily accessible instructions are crucial for maximizing FTS effectiveness.
- Optimizing FTS instructions will aid in reducing accidental fentanyl exposure and enhancing public health outcomes.
Keywords:
Drug checkingFentanyl test strip instructionsFentanyl test stripsHarm reductionPublic health communicationMore Related Videos
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