Fentanyl self-testing outside supervised injection settings to prevent opioid overdose: Do we know enough to promote it?

The International Journal on Drug Policy
Catherine R McGowanTim Rhodes

Abstract

Since 2013, North America has experienced a sharp increase in unintentional fatal overdoses: fentanyl, and its analogues, are believed to be primarily responsible. Currently, the most practical means for people who use drugs (PWUD) to avoid or mitigate risk of fentanyl-related overdose is to use drugs in the presence of someone who is in possession of, and experienced using, naloxone. Self-test strips which detect fentanyl, and some of its analogues, have been developed for off-label use allowing PWUD to test their drugs prior to consumption. We review the evidence on the off-label sensitivity and specificity of fentanyl test strips, and query whether the accuracy of fentanyl test strips might be mediated according to situated practices of use. We draw attention to the weak research evidence informing the use of fentanyl self-testing strips.

Citations

Dec 5, 2018·Addiction·Sarah G MarsDaniel Ciccarone
Dec 13, 2018·International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology·Kent R KerleyHeith Copes
Jan 25, 2019·Substance Use & Misuse·Katherine McLeanAshton Verdery
Nov 15, 2019·American Journal of Public Health·Elizabeth D NesoffSilvia S Martins
Mar 19, 2020·Current Opinion in Psychiatry·Joseph J PalamarMonica J Barratt
Apr 28, 2020·Substance Use & Misuse·Sean T AllenSuzanne M Grieb
Aug 10, 2020·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Noelle P WeickerSusan G Sherman
Feb 16, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Megan K ReedStephen E Lankenau
Dec 16, 2020·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Anna KlineSuzanne Borys
Dec 18, 2020·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Marianne Skov-Skov BerghInger Lise Bogen
Aug 8, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Ralph FogliaAnna Kline

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