Ohio decriminalizes fentanyl test strips to combat overdose crisis

COLUMBUS— Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order Wednesday allowing the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to legalize drug testing tools aimed at preventing overdoses.

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.”

Drug test strips aid in harm reduction efforts and allow users to test substances for the presen