Thanks to our partnership with the New York State Office of Addiction Services & Supports (NYSOASAS), the MATTERS team is proud to announce its new service: distribution of fentanyl test strips!
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100x more potent than other opioids like heroin or morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths involving fentanyl have quadrupled in recent years. In response to this pressing issue, the MATTERS Network is distributing packs of fentanyl test strips to participating hospital locations!
Participating hospitals need only submit a form on the MATTERS website to order up-to 500 test strips at a time. Each MATTERS-distributed fentanyl test strip will have a QR-code linking to an instructional video on how to use the test strips. This will promote safer use with patients and support individuals at all reading levels.
For non-participating agencies interested in distributing fentanyl test strips, naloxone kits, or other harm-reduction resources, text your request to the Erie County Department of Health at 716-225-5473.
The distribution of fentanyl test strips is an important harm reduction and overdose prevention strategy. MATTERS looks forward to expanding its harm reduction services.