Drug test strips that detect the presence of fentanyl and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that often causes wounds that eat through a user’s skin and into the muscle, will soon be available for Delawareans who struggle with addiction.
On Wednesday, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long announced a pilot program to distribute combination fentanyl and xylazine test strips, the first of their kind nationwide. Currently, strips for fentanyl and xylazine − which is also known as “tranq dope” and is increasingly being cut into fentanyl − are only offered as two separate tests.
The program comes ahead of the July 4th holiday, which addiction specialists fear will cause a spike in overdoses. Dr. Sandra Gibney, a local doctor who has long worked to battle the state’s opioid epidemic, said medical professionals typically see an uptick in drug use around holidays.
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The test strip was developed by Bear-based SIVAD Diagnostic Medical Group, LLC. Validated by a U.S.-based, FDA-registered testing lab, it’s the “first harm reduction test strip to detect both fentanyl and xylazine in various substances including powders, pills, or residue from baggies or cookers,” a state news release said.
The goal, the release said, is to give users an idea of what they are putting into their bodies. Because the opioid reversal drug naloxone does not reverse the effects of xylazine − which can cause drowsiness, lethargy and in extreme cases, death − it’s important for those struggling with addiction to know what their drugs contain.
While addiction specialists previously told Delaware Online/The News Journal they don’t believe a positive result for xylazine would stop a user from taking a drug, the test strips may save lives.
“We know harm reduction strategies work, and this new test strip – conceptualized by Delaware’s own SIVAD Diagnostic Medical Group, LLC – is just another way we can protect residents from potential overdoses,” said Hall-Long, who serves as chair of Delaware’s Behavioral Health Consortium.
“This pilot program is the epitome of what Delaware does best – boots-on-the-ground outreach, homegrown innovation and collaborative partnerships.”
The test strips will be distributed at Brandywine Counseling’s clinic locations statewide and through the organization’s mobile syringe services vans. The tests also have a QR code on them that users can scan to locate local resources such as counseling, emergency services and free naloxone distribution locations.
According to the state medical examiner’s office, at least 537 Delaware residents died from drug overdoses in 2022, the most overdose deaths ever recorded in the First State. About 80% of these deaths involved fentanyl.
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Nationally, fentanyl accounts for numerous overdose deaths too. But xylazine is also becoming increasingly prevalent − between 2018 and 2021, deaths involving the sedative increased by 1,238%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Where to get Brandywine Counseling test strips
- Lancaster Avenue Treatment Center, 2713 Lancaster Ave., Wilmington, DE 19805
- Milford Treatment Center, 769 E. Masten Circle, Suite 113/115, Milford, DE 19963
- Georgetown Treatment Center, 10 N. Railroad Ave., Georgetown, DE 19947
For more information about the tests, call 302-358-6962.
How to find help
Delaware Hope Line: 833-9-HOPEDE for free 24/7 counseling, coaching and support, as well as links to mental health, addiction and crisis services. Resources also can be found on the Help is Here website.
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
SAMHSA National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357) for free 24/7 substance abuse disorder treatment referral services. Treatment service locators also are available online at findtreatment.samhsa.gov or via text message by sending your ZIP code to 435748.
Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_.
