Xylazine Test Strip Use Among People Who Use Drugs in New York State

Area of Science:

• Drug use and public health
• Toxicology and pharmacology
• Harm reduction strategies

Background:

• Xylazine test strips (XTS) offer rapid identification of xylazine in illicit drugs.
• Limited data exists on the characteristics and behaviors of individuals utilizing XTS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the characteristics of people who use drugs (PWUDs) who use XTS.
• To examine risk reduction behaviors associated with XTS use.

Main Methods:

• Observational cohort study conducted in New York (September-December 2023).
• Baseline survey data from 254 PWUDs, including questions on XTS use.
• Propensity score weighting used to analyze associations between XTS use and risk reduction behaviors/drug type.

Main Results:

• 26% of participants (66/254) reported using XTS; 80% trusted results, 79% were confident in use.
• XTS users were more likely to have naloxone, use test shots, have supervision, and observe others using drugs.
• XTS use correlated with opioid use and injecting drug use.

Conclusions:

• XTS use is linked to increased engagement in harm reduction practices.
• XTS shows potential as an effective harm reduction tool.
• Further research is required to understand how XTS results influence drug consumption behaviors.