Journal article
Urgent Need for Pairing Training and Education With Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution
Drug and alcohol review, v 44(7), pp 1885-1895
13 Oct 2025
PMID: 41084349
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Introduction Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are increasingly recommended for non-heroin drugs to detect potential fentanyl adulteration. The aim of this study was to better understand how people are using FTS.Methods In simulation exercises between September and October 2023, 40 people who used drugs participated in a mock use of FTS on a simulated drug, interpreted FTS results and completed interviews about their FTS use. Data were analysed in NVivo.Results Prior to study enrolment, 80% of participants reported receiving training on using FTS, some had instructed others on their use, and 71% reported a positive result at the last use of a FTS on a non-heroin drug. During the simulation exercise, none of the participants used FTS as recommended: most under-diluted the sample or used the FTS in another manner not indicated. During the interpretation of FTS strip results, 45% correctly interpreted a positive test; 55% a negative test with clear lines; and 30% a negative test with a faint second line.Discussion and Conclusions Observed errors in FTS simulations would likely lead to false positive results. Findings highlight the lack of appropriate training people have received and the need to develop educational approaches to ensure people use FTS properly to optimise their impact.
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Details
- Title
- Urgent Need for Pairing Training and Education With Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution
- Creators
- Megan K. Reed - Thomas Jefferson Univ, Sidney Kimmel Med Coll, Dept Emergency Med, Philadelphia, PA 19144 USATracy Esteves Camacho - Thomas Jefferson UniversityKristin L. Rising - Thomas Jefferson UniversityRose Laurano - Drexel University, Community Health and PreventionDanielle Albaciete - Thomas Jefferson UniversityStephen E. Lankenau - Drexel University, Urban Health Collaborative
- Publication Details
- Drug and alcohol review, v 44(7), pp 1885-1895
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- R21DA056790 / National Institute on Drug Abuse; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Urban Health Collaborative; Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001592027900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105018685399
- Other Identifier
- 991022123432804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Substance Abuse