Ohio decriminalizes fentanyl test strips in effort to curb overdoses

Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order Wednesday allowing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to legalize drug testing tools aimed at preventing overdoses (Source: “Ohio decriminalizes fentanyl test strips to combat overdose crisis,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Oct. 2).
 
The emergency rule exempts test strips and reagent kits from the state’s drug paraphernalia definition. The tools can detect fentanyl, xylazine, medetomidine, benzimidazole-opioids — commonly known as nitazenes — and benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-related compounds.
 
“Items such as test strips have been shown to reduce the risk of overdose, and these items are important in Ohio’s overall strategy to lower overdose deaths,” DeWine said. “We are removing barriers for communities to access tools that prevent overdose and save lives.”
 
The change follows legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by DeWine earlier this year. The law permits the Board of Pharmacy to exempt certain instruments from paraphernalia laws if they demonstrate efficacy in reducing drug poisoning by determining the presence of specific compounds.