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Cuyahoga County offers free fentanyl test strips to drug users

The test strips can detect the presence of deadly fentanyl that may be hidden in many other drugs

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County health officials are encouraging drug users to pick up free test strips that can detect the presence of deadly fentanyl that may be hidden in many other drugs. 

It's a controversial approach to battling the opioid epidemic. While some see it as enabling drug users to continue their addiction, others see it as an opportunity to save lives, and in doing so, giving an addict a chance at rehabilitation.

The county's prompting follows a surge of 18 drug overdose deaths in a period of 8 days, from May 20-28, including 8 deaths over the Memorial Day weekend, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. Fentanyl-laced crack cocaine is believed to be to blame for many of the overdose deaths.

The test strips work by dipping one end in water that is mixed with drug residue. A one-line result indicates the presence of fentanyl, meanwhile, two lines indicate no presence of fentanyl in the drugs.

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Some drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, because a small amount of fentanyl can produce a high, thereby making it a cheaper option.

But deaths from overdoses of drugs laced with fentanyl are on the rise. In 2015, Cuyahoga county reported 92 fentanyl deaths. 2017 ended with 492 fentanyl-related deaths, according to the latest statistical report from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

15,000 free fentanyl test strips are available from county health centers and also distributed by Circle Health Services, at 12201 Euclid Avenue, as well as Care Alliance Clinic, at 2916 Central Avenue, both in Cleveland. County officials say people who pick up the test strips will not be reported to law enforcement authorities.

The test strips cost about a dollar each, and are funded by revenues generated from the county's two existing Health and Human Services taxes.

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