Public health officials urging use of free fentanyl test strips after another wave of fatal overdoses in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Public health officials are urging drug users to pick up free fentanyl test strips amid a wave of fatal overdoses linked to a mixture of the opioid and crack-cocaine.

Officials believe the drugs contributed to 18 drug overdose deaths over a recent eight-day period, including eight deaths over Memorial Day Weekend. Half of the victims were black, which officials noted is higher than usual; last year, just 21 percent of all fentanyl deaths in Cuyahoga County involved black victims.

The test strips are being distributed at healthcare centers, so anyone who requests them will not be questioned by law enforcement, Cuyahoga County spokeswoman Eliza Wing said.

The strips can detect the drug when it is mixed with cocaine, heroin and other substances. They are available free to the public at the following locations:

· Circle Health Services, 12201 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland

· Care Alliance Clinic, 2916 Central Ave. in Cleveland

The rise in deaths caused the Cuyahoga County medical examiner to issue a public health advisory on Tuesday. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and Cleveland Clinic doctors also discussed the rash of deaths and the ongoing opioid epidemic during a Wednesday event at Cleveland’s Intercontinental Hotel.

Cocaine was a factor in 45 percent of all drug overdose deaths last year in Cuyahoga County, the highest percentage in more than a decade. Many cocaine users don’t realize the drug is increasingly being mixed with the powerful opioid fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman told cleveland.com earlier this year.

The Cuyahoga County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board’s 2019 budget included $15,000 for the Care Alliance Health Center to buy and distribute fentanyl test strips.

ADAMHS Board officials said earlier this year that they are working on a plan to get the fentanyl test strips into places like bus stations, public libraries, recreation centers and bar bathrooms. Details of the plan have not been announced.

The medical examiner’s office also urged anyone using opioids or dealing with opioid addiction to contact Project DAWN at 216-778-5677 or the ADAMHS Board at 216-623-6888.