Trump’s sudden cut in substance testing is ‘going to kill people’, experts warn
Summary
The Trump administration has stopped using federal money to buy drug-testing strips that detect fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. Experts warn this could lead to more deaths because these strips help people avoid dangerous substances in illegal drugs.Key Facts
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) said federal funds can no longer be used to buy drug-testing strips.
- These strips test for fentanyl, xylazine, medetomidine, and other substances found in street drugs.
- Officials said testing strips encourage illegal drug use and break federal laws.
- Harm reduction experts say these strips help prevent overdoses by letting users know if drugs contain harmful substances.
- The Biden administration had allowed funding for test strips in 2021 to reduce overdose deaths.
- Some states have stopped buying and giving out test strips following the new guidance.
- Officials inside the administration have different views: one document called test strips valuable, but Samhsa orders say otherwise.
- Harm reduction groups argue that drug-testing strips save lives by giving people better information about what they use.
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