Law Enforcement and Community Provision of Fentanyl Test Strips to People Who Use Drugs for Engagement and Referral to Services.

J Public Health Manag Pract

The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts (Ms Olson and Dr Green); The Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Green); Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Case); School of Criminology & Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts (Dr Palacios); Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative, Boston, Massachusetts (Mss Hunter and Lopes-McCoy).

Published: October 2022

Use of fentanyl test strips (FTS) to test illicit drugs has been shown to be an effective harm-reduction tool for raising awareness of fentanyl risks, increased self-efficacy to prevent overdose, and safer use behavior changes. From March to June 2020, a total of 6 Massachusetts municipal police departments piloted FTS kit distribution during post-overdose outreach visits, community outreach, and related programming. The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative developed the kits, trained departments, and oversaw implementation. The pilot evaluation involved site observations, process measures, and interviews with staff and kit recipients. For every kit distributed, there was approximately 1 health or support service or referral provided; 320 kits were distributed. Key themes from interviews were conceptualizing FTS as a tool, collaborations, and adaptations. Police departments that partnered with community programs amplified project reach. FTS distribution is a simple yet powerful tool that community providers and police can offer alongside linkage to care services and engagement with people who use drugs and their family and friends.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9531966PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001576DOI Listing

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