Legislation that could prevent fentanyl overdose deaths passed the House Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances committee unanimously Wednesday.

House Bill 1987, authored by Minority Whip Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma City, would allow Oklahomans to carry fentanyl test strips legally without the strips being considered drug paraphernalia.

“Fentanyl testing strips are an easy, smart way to give people at risk of fentanyl exposure more information to help keep them safe,” Dollens explained. “These strips are reliable and can be a real lifesaver, providing users with a simple way to check for the presence of fentanyl. By testing for the drug, people can take steps to protect themselves and reduce their risk of overdose and death.”

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, fentanyl is one of the leading substances involved in the drug overdose crisis in Oklahoma. In 2019, there were 47 fentanyl overdose deaths. In 2022, the number of deaths ballooned to 300 according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.

“Oklahoma is facing a serious addiction crisis and synthetic fentanyl is extremely deadly. The hope of this bill is to save vulnerable Oklahomans who are struggling with addiction,” Dollens added.

The bill is headed to the House floor.

Fentanyl Awareness A free event will be held in Seminole on Feb. 23 to bring awareness to fentanyl overdoses. The event wil be held in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Center at Seminole State College.

Facts About Fentanyl Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that has been used in clinical settings for decades and is often described as 80-100 times stronger than morphine, or about 50 times stronger than heroin.

Fentanyl moving through the street market comes in the form of a white, gray or tan powder and can be injected, smoked, or snorted.

It has also been found in other drugs, like heroin, meth, cocaine, and pressed pills.

Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone in the event of an overdose.

You cannot overdose simply by touching powdered fentanyl. This is a common myth, but fentanyl must be introduced into the bloodstream or a mucus membrane in order for someone to feel the effects. Transdermal fentanyl patches exist and are used primarily in medical settings, but are uniquely formulated to be absorbed by the skin.