Ohio & Mahoning Valley - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced on Tuesday that the State of Ohio has distributed 1 million fentanyl test strips across the state in order to help combat the statewide opioid crisis.

These strips allow for the testing of substances for the presence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is an opioid that has increasingly been found laced in various street drugs, which in turn significantly contributes to fatal overdoses.

According to a press release, unintentional overdose fatalities in Ohio decreased by 5% in 2022. Meanwhile, there was a marginal 1% rise in overdose deaths nationwide during that same period.

Fentanyl was involved in 81% of those deaths, often in combination with other drugs.

Since April of 2023, RecoveryOhio, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services have been working in cooperation to distribute fentanyl test strips.

Numerous resources are being utilized to ensure broad accessibility across the state including county health departments, harm reduction organizations, colleges, law enforcement, project DAWN sites and local outreach programs.

Ohioans can order free naloxone and fentanyl test strips to be delivered right to their doors by clicking here.