This article discusses substance abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can call the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline at 211 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.

WISCONSIN — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said it is making a new push to combat drug overdose deaths in the state.

Wisconsin DHS announced Thursday that 120,600 fentanyl test strips were distributed to organizations around the state in hopes of preventing drug overdose deaths.

“Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin,” Wisconsin DHS said in a statement.

The test strips have been sent directly from manufacturers to Wisconsin organizations, including tribal nation health clinics, county health and human services departments, county and municipal health departments and organizations that work with people who inject drugs.

Organizations in the program “have access to an unlimited supply of packages.” Wisconsin DHS said it expects more organizations to be eligible to take part in the distribution program in the future.

Each individual package includes a fentanyl test strip and instructions. Packages will be handed out for free and there is no limit on how many strips Wisconsinites can get.

First, fentanyl test strips are dipped into a drug residue that’s dissolved in water. Within a few minutes, the strip will show if fentanyl has been detected.

Wisconsin DHS said even a small amount of fentanyl, “as little as two grains of salt,” can be deadly; the strips do not give information on the amount or strength of fentanyl in a drug.

The department said it hopes these strips will reduce overdose risks, as fentanyl can be present in drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, in addition to pills that look like prescriptions. While the test strips can find fentanyl, people cannot recognize it by sight, taste, smell or touch.

Wisconsin DHS said, “people taking drugs not purchased from a licensed pharmacy should always use fentanyl test strips.”

“Wisconsinites who use drugs are more likely to encounter fentanyl than ever before,” said Wisconsin DHS secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “Tragically, many people who use drugs have no idea they are ingesting fentanyl until it’s too late. That’s why we need to empower our family members, friends, and neighbors who use drugs to have as much information as possible to protect their safety. Fentanyl test strips are a critical tool in our efforts to save lives.”

In 2020, 812 Wisconsinites died from overdoses “where illegally manufactured fentanyl was considered to be probable or suspected in contributing cause of death,” according to the health department.

The $1.25 million distribution program was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. In March, Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that legalized fentanyl test strips in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin DHS said more test kits will be purchased and distributed using funds from the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement. Settlement money will also be used to purchase NARCAN.

NARCAN is an opioid overdose reversal drug. Wisconsin DHS said 134,280 doses of NARCAN have been distributed, for free, to organizations that work with people who use opioids or drugs that can be mixed with opioids. So far in 2022, more than 5,000 overdoses have been reversed with NARCAN through this program, according to Wisconsin DHS.

NARCAN can also be purchased at pharmacies. No prescription is necessary for NARCAN.