ASAP to distribute naloxone, fentanyl test strips at liquor stores, bars

Mike Wolanin | The Republic A fentanyl fact sheet and fentanyl test strips are displayed at the ASAP Hub in Columbus, Ind., Friday, July 22, 2022.

Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress (ASAP) officials plan to start distributing naloxone and fentanyl test strips at local bars, liquor stores and other locations throughout Bartholomew County.

The goal is to get “harm-reduction supplies closer to people who might use them,” said ASAP Executive Director Sherri Jewett.

Naloxone is a nasal spray that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It is often sold under the brand name Narcan.

Fentanyl test strips seek to help drug users determine whether a drug contains fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that officials say is a major contributor to a historic rise in overdose deaths in Bartholomew County.

The strips are about 3 inches long and work by dissolving a portion of the drug into water and then dipping the test strips into the water, according to instructions previously provided by local officials. Lines will appear on the strips to indicate whether fentanyl is present.

“We are going to give out 10 doses of Narcan and 10 fentanyl strips to every venue of that sort that will take them, with instructions on how to use them … and how to get more if they need them,” Jewett said.

The announcement from ASAP came roughly a week after ASAP received 1,500 doses of naloxone from the Bartholomew County Health Department.

ASAP has been distributing naloxone at the ASAP Hub, 1531 13th St., as well as in public plastic boxes available outside the Hub and at the Bartholomew County Public Library.

ASAP has distributed 2,143 doses of naloxone from January to November, said Richa Tandon, communications coordinator at ASAP. The organization also distributed 600 fentanyl tests strips from June to November.

Naloxone and fentanyl test strips are seen as hard-reduction tools, meaning that they focus on preventing overdoses and deaths in drug users. The American Medical Association has advocated for naloxone to be made available over the counter.

The announcement from ASAP also comes as local officials fear that overdoses may increase during the holidays.

As of Tuesday, 37 people had died from overdoses in Bartholomew County so far this year — the highest yearly total on record, according to the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office. At least 190 people have died from drug overdoses in the county since 2015.

“During the holiday season, for a number of reasons, there’s always the potential for overdoses to increase,” Jewett said. “We would like for people that have family members, loved ones that they know are using … (to) make sure they have Narcan available and test strips also available.”

“Our recommendation is if you have someone that you think is using, then come get some Narcan and keep it available,” Jewett added. “Keep it in your home first aid box, because it can save lives.”