Jack MacDonald is a Boston-based writer and overdose prevention advocate. He is a master’s student at Harvard Medical School in the Media, Medicine, and Health program. Jack graduated from Boston College and has been published in the New York Times, Out Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal.
Warmer weather is here. With it comes all-inclusives, music festivals, and a whole lot of partying. As you make plans with friends, there’s one party essential you should include alongside solo cups and throwback Britney Spears: fentanyl test strips.
You’ve probably heard of fentanyl. You might not know how it could impact you.
Fentanyl is an opioid, found both in medical settings and the illicit drug market. It snuck its way into the party drug supply due to its high potency and addictive nature, and a very small amount of fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose.
Party drug consumers are often unaware of fentanyl’s presence in powders and pills, including those popular in queer party spaces. In 2023 alone, about 70% of drug overdose deaths in the US involved fentanyl. This crisis has disproportionately impacted marginalized communities and is rearing its ugly head in festivals, clubs, and queer nightlife spaces that may otherwise appear on your spring break agenda.
Luckily, a simple tool can help you detect and avoid fentanyl.
Fentanyl test strips allow party drug consumers to detect fentanyl in a powdered or crushed substance. Testing takes just a few minutes, and if fentanyl is detected, a potentially-fatal opioid overdose can be avoided by choosing not to consume the tested substance.
The purpose of fentanyl test strips isn’t to promote drug use; it’s a precautionary tool to save lives. Stocking fentanyl test strips at pregames or carrying them with you on nights out can be a convenient and actionable way to prioritize community safety using freely available resources.
I’ve seen how impactful test strips can be as a volunteer educator for a Boston-based overdose prevention group. Last year, social media followers notified us that party drugs purchased for a popular queer nightlife series tested positive for fentanyl. Identifying fentanyl’s presence with test strips allowed partygoers to acknowledge a threat and avoid a dangerous situation that night.
Don’t use party drugs? Having fentanyl test strips with you at parties or pregame is still impactful. You might have a friend or meet someone planning to use party drugs that night who could benefit from having test strips available, either on hand or placed in a common space like a bathroom countertop.
It’s important to note that fentanyl is also showing up in drugs like non-prescription stimulants, which consumers might otherwise not think to test.
Fentanyl test strips can create an opportunity for your friends to talk about drugs. This might be especially impactful in queer party spaces, as queer adults are estimated 2–3x likely to consume or misuse drugs compared to their heterosexual counterparts.
Simultaneously, elevated medical distrust among queer people is a barrier that can inhibit open conversations with medical providers about substance use.
Talking to friends about fentanyl testing can promote risk reducing behaviors and normalize taking precautions for a safer night out. Peer education can also help counteract stigma. If your friend is aware of the need to test party drugs for fentanyl, they might think twice before using an untested substance. Keeping friends in the loop also means they have context for medical dispatch if an overdose occurs.
Luckily, fentanyl test strips are increasingly accessible and affordable.
Many pharmacies sell fentanyl test strips over the counter in 37 states, with brands like DrugCheck retailing for about $1 per test. Don’t want to pay anything? Many sexual health clinics and community centers offer test strips for free. Some harm reduction organizations bring overdose prevention resources directly to nightclubs (in addition to other lifesaving resources like Narcan which can reverse an opioid overdose).
Not to mention, test strips are easy to use. Many brands feature a QR code linking to step-by-step instructions, therefore reducing margin of error and making testing more convenient. This is especially important when loud music or limited space may otherwise necessitate convenience.
It’s important to note that some states still classify fentanyl test strips as illegal drug paraphernalia. This is the exception, however. Fentanyl test strips are currently legal in Canada and most US states, including top spring break destinations like Florida. Some public health groups bring overdose prevention resources directly to partiers.
Nonetheless, it’s important to research local guidelines and know how they might impact you. It’s also important to ask a trusted healthcare provider about substance use.
Party drugs and spring break often go hand in hand. Adding fentanyl test strips to your spring break packing list is a proactive way to protect friends and start important conversations about substance use. Let’s reframe spring break partying around education and community wellbeing, not fear.
