06 Mar Syringe exchange sites hand out strips to test drugs for fentanyl
Louisville Metro’s syringe exchange sites are now distributing test strips that can detect the presence of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl in other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine. The Department of Health and Wellness’ Syringe Exchange Program began handing out the fentanyl test strips last week after receiving a federal grant. “We are seeing fentanyl show up in methamphetamines. We are seeing fentanyl show up in cocaine. For somebody who’s only using cocaine or only using methamphetamines, that doesn’t have a tolerance for opiates, any level of fentanyl in their drugs is going to be really lethal for them,” explained Matt LaRocco, the community liaison for Louisville Metro’s Syringe Exchange program. The strips work much like a pregnancy test. A person mixes water with the residue left over from a drug and places the strip in the mixture. Within seconds, one or two red lines will begin to appear on the strip. One line indicates the presence of fentanyl in the drug. Two lines means the drug does not contain fentanyl. “By giving people this, it’s a tool for them to make an informed decision about their drug use,” LaRocco said. The tests are meant to prevent overdoses and overdose deaths caused by fentanyl. “People might be injecting heroin, or methamphetamine, or one of these other drugs, (and) if just a little bit gets contaminated with fentanyl, that can cause an overdose death,” said Dr. Martin Huecker, who works in the emergency room at University of Louisville Hospital. Huecker said because fentanyl is so potent, even a tiny amount mixed in with another drug can be lethal. “A deadly dose is something like 2 milligrams, which people have shown you can fit that amount of powder on Abraham Lincoln’s cheek on a penny,” Huecker said. LaRocco said studies have shown that the majority of drug users who know fentanyl is present in their drugs will change their behavior to prevent overdosing. “For some people, they said, ‘I wouldn’t use those drugs.’ Other people said, ‘I would use them more slowly.’ Other people said, ‘I would make sure somebody was around just in case something happened.'” LaRocco explained. LaRocco believes the test strips can also save the city money. Each strip costs about 80 cents, compared to a $1,500 ambulance ride if a person overdoses. But his primarily goal is simple. “To keep people alive,” LaRocco said.
Louisville Metro’s syringe exchange sites are now distributing test strips that can detect the presence of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl in other drugs such as heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine.
The Department of Health and Wellness’ Syringe Exchange Program began handing out the fentanyl test strips last week after receiving a federal grant.
“We are seeing fentanyl show up in methamphetamines. We are seeing fentanyl show up in cocaine. For somebody who’s only using cocaine or only using methamphetamines, that doesn’t have a tolerance for opiates, any level of fentanyl in their drugs is going to be really lethal for them,” explained Matt LaRocco, the community liaison for Louisville Metro’s Syringe Exchange program.
The strips work much like a pregnancy test. A person mixes water with the residue left over from a drug and places the strip in the mixture. Within seconds, one or two red lines will begin to appear on the strip. One line indicates the presence of fentanyl in the drug. Two lines means the drug does not contain fentanyl.
“By giving people this, it’s a tool for them to make an informed decision about their drug use,” LaRocco said.
The tests are meant to prevent overdoses and overdose deaths caused by fentanyl.
“People might be injecting heroin, or methamphetamine, or one of these other drugs, (and) if just a little bit gets contaminated with fentanyl, that can cause an overdose death,” said Dr. Martin Huecker, who works in the emergency room at University of Louisville Hospital.
Huecker said because fentanyl is so potent, even a tiny amount mixed in with another drug can be lethal.
“A deadly dose is something like 2 milligrams, which people have shown you can fit that amount of powder on Abraham Lincoln’s cheek on a penny,” Huecker said.
LaRocco said studies have shown that the majority of drug users who know fentanyl is present in their drugs will change their behavior to prevent overdosing.
“For some people, they said, ‘I wouldn’t use those drugs.’ Other people said, ‘I would use them more slowly.’ Other people said, ‘I would make sure somebody was around just in case something happened.'” LaRocco explained.
LaRocco believes the test strips can also save the city money. Each strip costs about 80 cents, compared to a $1,500 ambulance ride if a person overdoses.
But his primarily goal is simple.
“To keep people alive,” LaRocco said.
[ad_2]
Source link
No Comments