Public health agencies can use overdose grants for fentanyl test strips

Public health departments that receive certain federal grants to prevent opioid overdoses can now use those funds to purchase fentanyl test strips, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced yesterday. This includes jurisdictions that participate in CDC’s Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement and SAMHSA’s State Opioid Response program. 

“This will save lives by providing tools to identify the growing presence of fentanyl in the nation’s illicit drug supply and — partnered with referrals to treatment — complement SAMHSA’s daily work to direct help to more Americans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Tom Coderre.