Funding cuts for fentanyl test strips raise concerns: "It doesn't make sense"
Summary
The U.S. government will no longer allow federal funding to pay for fentanyl test strips, which check if drugs contain dangerous chemicals. This decision reverses previous support from President Trump's administration and raises concerns among health groups about losing tools that help prevent overdose deaths.Key Facts
- Federal funds cannot be used to buy test strips that detect fentanyl, xylazine, and medetomidine in drugs.
- The change follows a 2025 executive order by President Trump against funding programs seen as facilitating illegal drug use.
- Fentanyl test strips cost about $1 each and help prevent fatal overdoses by identifying drug contamination.
- Before this change, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) had supported funding test strips since 2021.
- Many states do not consider fentanyl test strips illegal drug tools, and some provide information on where to get them.
- Organizations like the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition and Fyrebird Recovery have lost grants and face shortages of test strips.
- Advocates say cutting funding for test strips removes a proven, low-cost way to save lives during the opioid crisis.
- Harm reduction groups are seeking new funding sources, including state funds from opioid lawsuit settlements.
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