Substance Use: Drug Checking Technologies
Drug checking technologies provide information about what substances are in a drug supply, allowing people who use drugs to make better-informed decisions and use more safely.
Two forms of drug checking technology are widely available in Wisconsin:
Drug checking technologies should be used on all drugs not purchased from a licensed pharmacy. Unexpected and dangerous substances may still be present in a drug supply even if they came from a trusted source.
CAUTION: The accuracy of drug checking technologies is not guaranteed. People can overdose or experience other harm like infections or diseases even if the drug checking technology says the drug of concern is not present in the drug supply. The safest practice is to avoid using drugs altogether.
It’s dangerous to use drugs when alone. If a trusted family member or friend is around and alert, they can look for the signs of a drug overdose and help if needed. If a trusted family member or friend is not available, call Never Use Alone or SafeSpot.
Get free fentanyl test strips
Fentanyl is a potent opioid that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a pain reliever. It can also be produced illegally and added to other drugs to make them more powerful and less expensive to make. Due to its potency, users have a high risk of overdose and death. The use of illegal fentanyl is the primary cause of most drug overdoses in Wisconsin.
Our Dose of Reality campaign has more information on fentanyl: Dose of Reality: Get the Facts.
Use this map to find an organization or vending machine offering free fentanyl test strips near you.
- View the map of locations with free fentanyl test strips in full screen format.
- View a spreadsheet of all locations offering free fentanyl test strips (Excel).
Report map errors or updates to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Wisconsin residents can request free fentanyl test strips by mail through NEXT Distro. Submit a request for fentanyl test strips to be shipped to you at no cost.
Promote the use of fentanyl test strips: Visit the Dose of Reality: Partner Resources section for social media posts and more.
Follow these steps when using fentanyl test strips
Fentanyl test strips are easy to use.
Before testing, make sure the drugs are well mixed as fentanyl can clump in one part of the sample, which can give inaccurate test results.
- Place a small amount of the drug supply in crushed, crystal, or powdered form in a container. A container with the residue of the drug supply can also be used.
- Add a teaspoon of water to the container and mix well.
- Insert the end of the fentanyl test strip with wavy lines in the water for 15 seconds.
- Take the fentanyl test strip out of the water and lay it flat for three minutes.
- Read the fentanyl test strip. Do not read the results before 3 minutes or after 10 minutes.
- One red line near the top (positive result): Fentanyl or a similar opioid has been detected in the drug supply. Avoid using this drug supply.
- Two red lines (negative result): Fentanyl or a similar opioid has not been detected in the drug supply. Remember, no test is 100% accurate and the drug supply may still contain fentanyl or another deadly drug.
- No red line or one red line near the bottom: This means the test is invalid. This typically happens because the liquid did not travel far enough up the fentanyl test strip. Retest the drugs using a new fentanyl test strip.
Fentanyl test strips should only be used once and thrown away.
These instructions are available in a print friendly format: Fentanyl Test Strip Instructions, P-03360A (PDF)
Get free xylazine test strips
Xylazine is a not-safe-for-humans veterinary tranquilizer. It has been found in fentanyl and heroin and mixed with cocaine and meth. Our xylazine fact sheet has more information on this drug: Xylazine, P-03490 (PDF).
Xylazine test strips should only be used to test for the presence of xylazine in opioids like fentanyl or heroin. They can give a false positive result if you use them to test cocaine or meth.
Use this map to find an organization offering free xylazine test strips near you.
- View the map of locations with free xylazine test strips in full screen format.
- View a spreadsheet of all locations offering free xylazine test strips (Excel).
Report map errors or updates to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Follow these steps when using xylazine test strips
Xylazine test strips are easy to use.
Before testing, make sure the drugs are well mixed as xylazine can clump in one part of the sample, which can give inaccurate test results.
- Place a small amount of the drug supply in crushed, crystal, or powdered form in a container. A container with the residue of the drug supply can also be used.
- Add a teaspoon of water to the container and mix well.
- Insert the end of the xylazine test strip with wavy lines in the water for 15 seconds.
- Take the xylazine test strip out of the water and lay it flat for three minutes.
- Read the xylazine test strip. Do not read the results before 3 minutes or after 10 minutes.
- One red line near the top (positive result): Xylazine has been detected in the drug supply. Avoid using this drug supply.
- Two red lines (negative result): Xylazine has not been detected in the drug supply. Remember, no test is 100% accurate and the drug supply may still contain xylazine or another deadly drug.
- No red line or one red line near the bottom: This means the test is invalid. This typically happens because the liquid did not travel far enough up the xylazine test strip. Retest the drugs using a new xylazine test strip.
Xylazine test strips should only be used once and thrown away.
These instructions are available in a print friendly format: Xylazine Test Strip Instructions, P-03534 (PDF)