Harm Reduction with Fentanyl Test Strips
The Fulton County Board of Health | Medical and Preventive Services is a government agency responsible for promoting and protecting the health of residents in Fulton County, Georgia. One of the ways the board is working to improve the health of the community is through their efforts to reduce harm related to drug use, particularly the use of fentanyl, a powerful and highly addictive opioid.
For more information about the Fulton County Board of Health | Medical and Preventive Services, visit their website at https://fultoncountyga.gov/health-services.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, to increase their potency. However, this also increases the risk of overdose, as people may not be aware they are taking a drug that contains fentanyl. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), "Fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent" (DEA, 2021). This high potency makes fentanyl particularly dangerous, as even a small amount can lead to overdose and death. In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that fentanyl was involved in over 31,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2018, making it one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in the country (CDC, 2020).
To help prevent overdose and other harm related to fentanyl, the Fulton County Board of Health has partnered with TN Scientific, a vendor that supplies fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl test strips are a simple and effective tool for detecting the presence of fentanyl in a substance. The strips work by providing a visual indication of whether or not a sample contains the drug. This allows people who use drugs to test their substances before using them, and to make informed decisions about whether or not to use them based on the results of the test.
The use of fentanyl test strips can be an important harm reduction strategy, as it allows people who use drugs to take steps to protect themselves and
reduce their risk of overdose. According to the CDC, "Testing drugs before using them is an effective way to reduce overdose deaths" (CDC, 2020). The strips can also help reduce the spread of disease, as people who use drugs are more likely to share needles and other injection equipment if they are unaware that the substance they are using contains fentanyl.
To learn more about TN Scientific and their fentanyl test strips, visit their website at https://tnscientific.com/.
Other Services and Programs Offered by the Fulton County Board of Health
In addition to providing access to fentanyl test strips, the Fulton County Board of Health also offers a variety of other services and programs to support the health and well-being of residents in Fulton County.
Some of the other services and programs offered by the Fulton County Board of Health include:
Disease prevention and control: The board works to prevent the spread of diseases in the community through a variety of efforts, including vaccination campaigns, disease outbreak investigations, and public education campaigns.
Environmental health: The board monitors and regulates environmental factors that can impact public health, such as air and water quality, and works to protect the community from environmental hazards.
Clinical services: The board operates a number of clinics that provide medical care to residents in Fulton County, including primary care, dental care, and mental health services.
Health education and promotion: The board works to educate the community about healthy behaviors and lifestyles, and promotes the adoption of healthy behaviors through a variety of programs and initiatives.
Overall, the Fulton County Board of Health | Medical and Preventive Services is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health of the community through a wide range of programs and services. The board's partnership with TN Scientific and the use of fentanyl test strips is just one example of their commitment to reducing harm related to drug use and improving the health and well-being of residents in Fulton County.