What to Know
- Nonprofit in central NY is handing out test strips at needle exchange sites so heroin users can test drugs for fentanyl to avoid overdoses
- ACR Health tells Syracuse.com it distributed fentanyl test strips to about 150 clients at needle exchanges in Syracuse, Utica and Waterttown
- Fentanyl is a major cause of overdoses because it's far more powerful than heroin
A nonprofit health organization in central New York is handing out test strips at needle exchange sites so heroin users can test their drugs for fentanyl to avoid overdoses.
ACR Health tells Syracuse.com it has distributed fentanyl test strips to about 150 clients at needle exchanges in Syracuse, Utica and Watertown since January.
Fentanyl is a major cause of overdoses because it's far more powerful than heroin. ACR's program coordinator says most drug users reduce their dose if fentanyl is detected.
The organization received a $2,000 grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to buy the strips, which cost about $1 each. Some state health departments pay for the test strips.
A spokesman for the New York State Health Department says the agency is developing guidance on fentanyl test strip use.
