As fentanyl-related overdose deaths remain high in Clark County the Southern Nevada Health District is offering free harm reduction tools, including testing strips.

Fentanyl can be lethal in small amounts and is sometimes mixed with other stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine without the user knowing. Health officials warn that for people who do not use opioids regularly, using stimulants that are laced with fentanyl puts them at a higher risk of overdose.

Fentanyl test trips can detect trace amounts of the substance. Nasal naloxone – often known by the brand name Narcan – can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Both are available for free at the Southern Nevada Health District, 280 S. Decatur Blvd.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes the synthetic opioid known as fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Clark County has experienced a 97% increase in deaths from mixing fentanyl with methamphetamine or cocaine from 2020 to 2023, according to the SNHD. There were 144 deaths in Clark County last year, compared to 73 in 2020. 

Nationally, there have been similar trends. 

Drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased nationwide nearly 300% between 2016 and 2021, the health district said.

Of the 108,000 people who died of a drug overdose between August 2021 and August 2022, 70% involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

The Nevada State Opioid Response also distributes testing strips throughout Nevada.

Along with nasal naloxone, an injectable version of the medication can also be obtained for free for people 18 or older at the Trac-B Impact Exchange Harm Reduction program storefront and public health vending machines throughout Southern Nevada:

• TIM CARE, 916 Owens Ave;
• The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada, 401 S. Maryland Parkway;
• The Center for Behavioral Health; 3050 E. Desert Inn Road;
• Center for Behavioral Health; 3470 W. Cheyenne