Drug Checking Technologies Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services invites agencies currently participating in the DHS Naloxone Direct Program to apply to receive drug checking technologies at no cost for community distribution. The drug checking technologies available through this program include fentanyl test strips, fentanyl test strip kits, xylazine test strips, and xylazine test strip kits. 

Agencies interested in joining this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program must complete the application linked in the "solicitation links" section. 

Eligible agencies

Only agencies currently participating in the DHS Naloxone Direct Program are eligible to be accepted into this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program. 

Applicants must:

• Be current with all DHS Naloxone Direct Program monthly reporting requirements.
• Designate a point of contact who is responsible for attending a DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program Train-the-Trainer Event.
• Have a designated person to track and report test strips/test strip kit distribution and program-related data.
• Agree that test strips/test strip kits will be distributed to people who use drugs and those around them to prevent overdose and other health complications.

Law enforcement agencies are not eligible to be accepted to into this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program. Law enforcement agencies interested in receiving drug checking technologies for community distribution should apply for DHS Law Enforcement Overdose Prevention Program. 

Background

Drug checking technologies are an evidence-based method to prevent overdose deaths by educating people about the substances they are using.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be 100 times stronger than morphine, has largely replaced heroin in the illicit opioid supply due to its low cost and potency. The increase in fentanyl in the illicit drug supply puts people who use non-opioid substances at a higher risk for an overdose as they do not have a tolerance for opioids. Distributing fentanyl test strips for the purpose of checking non-opioids, including cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and non-prescription pressed pills, for the presence of fentanyl should be prioritized.

Xylazine is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not been approved for human use. It was first detected in illicit drug samples in 2006 in Philadelphia but has been found mixed with fentanyl throughout the United States in recent years. Xylazine is a central nervous system depressant that can have harmful effects, such as severe skin lesions, cardiovascular effects, and death. It is typically added to opioids to extend the strength and duration of their effects. Xylazine has made its way into parts of Wisconsin, specifically in the southeast and northeast regions. Distribution of xylazine test strips should focus on people who use fentanyl or other opioids.

Fentanyl and xylazine test strips were decriminalized in Wisconsin through 2021 Wisconsin Act 180 and 2023 Wisconsin Act 217. 

Program overview

This DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program will provide:

• Test strips packaged in boxes of 100.
• Test strip kits individually packaged in a plastic zip bag with three fentanyl test strips or xylazine test strips, three mixing cups, three sterile waters, and three 10 mg scoops. 

Agencies may order only what is desired. In other words, agencies only can order fentanyl test strips and/or fentanyl test strip kits. Likewise, agencies only can order xylazine test strips and/or xylazine test strip kits. Agencies also can order both types of test strips and/or test strip kits.

Only request what is needed for community distribution for a one-year period.

The Division of Care and Treatment Services will hold monthly train-the-trainer events. Agencies participating in this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program must have one staff member attend one of these events, if they have not already participated. Additional staff also may attend one of these events. Only one person per agency is required to attend. The train-the-trainer event helps individuals to understand the drug supply, the nonmedical use of opioids/opioids misuse, drug checking versus drug testing, and how to use test strips. Agencies will have access to the slide deck used in the train-the-trainer events and can use the slide deck to train others.

View dates and times of each train-the-trainer events.

The Division of Care and Treatment Services will notify agencies accepted into the program. This notification will include the number of test strip boxes and/or kits awarded to the agency, information about how and when the supplies will be shipped, and instructions on how to report information regarding training and distribution efforts. The awarded allotment of supplies will be shipped in one shipment.

Instructions for using fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips should be printed from the DHS website and included when distributing test strip kits. 

Accepted agencies are encouraged to partner with other community agencies to expand distribution of these lifesaving tools.

Test strips obtained through this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program are not to be used for urine drug testing. 

Program data reporting requirements

Agencies accepted into this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program must report data on test strip/test strip kit distribution within the REDCap system. Each month, participating agencies must report the:

• Number of people provided test strips/kits during the month of the report
• Number of fentanyl test strips distributed (only strips, not kits)
• Number of fentanyl test strip kits distributed
• Number of xylazine test strip kits distributed (only strips, not kits)
• Number of xylazine test strip kits distributed

The monthly report also requests that participating agencies describe types of training completed during the month of the report. 

There also is an opportunity in the monthly report for participating agencies to provide information on successes and challenges in distributing test strips/test strip kits. 

Program timeline

• April 19, 2026: Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
• April 30, 2026: Approved agencies contacted
• May 2026-July 2026: Orders shipped to approved agencies
• May 2026-May 2027: Approved agencies submit monthly outcome reports to the Division of Care and Treatment Services

Send questions about this DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program and the application process to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.