Drug Checking Technologies Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is providing drug checking technologies to organizations to prevent drug overdose deaths and health complications among people who use substances. Complete the application linked below by 11:59 p.m. May 2, 2025, to apply for supplies.

The following supplies are available through this opportunity:

• Fentanyl test strips (only packages of strips)
• Fentanyl test strip kits (a plastic zip bag with a test strip, mixing cup, sterile water, and 10 mg scoop)
• Xylazine test strips (only packages of strips)
• Xylazine test strip kits (a plastic zip bag with a test strip, mixing cup, sterile water, and 10 mg scoop)

Overview

The purpose of this one-time opportunity is to request applications from organizations interested in obtaining free drug checking technologies for community distribution. Successful applicants will receive one shipment of all awarded supplies. Request what is needed for the community for a period of one year.

Fentanyl a synthetic opioid that can be 100 times stronger than morphine, and other substances added to the drug supply have led to rising overdose rates among users of almost all illicit drugs. In 2023, synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were identified in 92% of opioid overdose deaths in Wisconsin. The number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Wisconsin grew by over 100% from 2019 (651) to 2023 (1,307). Based on a research article published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, reports of fentanyl overdose among people who use substances other than opioids, such as cocaine, counterfeit Xanax, and counterfeit hydrocodone have significantly increased since 2016. The increase in fentanyl in the illicit drug supply puts people who use non-opioid substances at a higher risk for overdose as they do not have a tolerance for opioids. In a 2018 bulletin, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration noted a 112% increase in the number of cocaine samples in Pennsylvania that also contained fentanyl. 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 a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer that has 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 cause severe skin lesions, cardiovascular effects, and death. It is typically added to opioids to extend the strength and duration of their effects. Toxicology reports demonstrate xylazine’s presence in parts of Wisconsin, specifically in the southeast and northeast regions. Xylazine was detected in at least one post-mortem toxicology report in 2023 in Brown, Dane, Fond du Lac, Grant, Kenosha, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood counties. Distribution of xylazine test strips should focus on people who use fentanyl or other opioids.

Fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips are legal to possess, distribute, and use in Wisconsin. See Wis. Stat. § 961.571(1)(b) .

Eligible applicants

Organizations that meet all of the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Drug Checking Technologies Program.

• Applicant is a current and compliant participant in the Naloxone Direct Program. Compliant participants in the Naloxone Direct Program are agencies that have submitted all monthly Naloxone Direct Program reports.
• Applicant has a designated person to track and report program-related data, including data on the distribution of the supplies received through this program.
• Applicant agrees the supplies received through this program will be distributed to people at risk for a drug overdose or other drug-involved health complication or their family and friends in the community.

Program timeline

• May 2, 2025: Applications due
• May 23, 2025 (estimated): Applicants accepted into the program will be notified by the Bureau of Prevention Treatment and Recovery. This notification will include the amount of supplies awarded to the accepted applicant, and instructions on how to report information regarding training and distribution efforts.
• June through July 2025 (estimated): All approved supplies will be ordered and mailed at one time to all accepted applicants.
• June 2025 through June 2026: Accepted applicants submit monthly outcome reports

Program requirements

All agencies participating in the Drug Checking Technologies Program must:

• Have at least one staff member attend a state-sponsored virtual course on how to use and train others on how to use fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips. This course also includes information on the current substance supply and overdose epidemic. Information on what is meant by drug checking versus drug testing is also shared. The dates and times for this course are posted on the DHS website . People who attend the training will receive materials to use to train others.
• Distribute supplies received through this program directly or through partner agencies at no cost to people using substance or their support networks.
• Establish a tracking system for the data reporting requirements.
• Complete monthly data reports.
• Notify the Bureau of Prevention Treatment and Recovery of any changes in the agency contact and/or the data and reporting contact within two weeks of the change.

Data reporting requirements

All agencies participating in the Drug Checking Technologies Program must collect the following data and report it monthly through the REDCap system through June 2026:

• Number of people served (given test strips and/or test strip kits)
• Number of fentanyl test strips distributed
• Number of fentanyl test strip kits distributed
• Number of xylazine test strips distributed
• Number of xylazine test strip kits distributed
• Names of partner agencies that received supplies for distribution in the past month

Questions

If you have any questions about this program or application, please contact DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov .