Utah’s Rare Drug-Related Legislature Win

It’s not often Utah has what could be considered a win or step forward when it comes to drug policy and harm reduction - but in this last session of the legislature we did.

Fentanyl is a growing problem and it is deadly. Many substances can be laced with fentanyl including heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and more. Now, folks in Utah will be able to more easily test drugs for this powerful opiate because fentanyl test strips will be decriminalized in the Beehive State.

Signed into law in March, SB86 intends to reduce overdose deaths by removing fentanyl test strips from laws that ban the use of certain “drug paraphernalia”. The bill passed the House unanimously and only had one nay vote in the Senate.

"As a freshman senator, you hope that you come in and learn some things and, maybe if you're lucky, have a bill or two that gets some traction," Sen. Jen Plumb, sponsor of the bill, told reporters Wednesday. "Today I was lucky enough to have the first bill that passed for me, which was one that's really important to me. ... It'll do a lot to help not only save lives but help increase the messaging around knowledge and prevention."

Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid that is becoming more widespread year by year. It is intended to be used in hospitals for treating severe pain, like pain that comes with advanced cancer and some surgeries. It is incredibly strong and can quickly and easily cause an overdose. Naloxone can save someone from a fentanyl overdose. Here’s how you can get Naloxone in Utah.

The bill, championed by a co-founder of Utah Naloxone and advocacy group, would make it easier for both clinics and just people to get test strips to ensure whatever they intend to ingest is fentanyl free, therefore, much safer.

In 2022, 622 people in Utah died from an overdose, a large percentage of those likely related to fentanyl.

These test strips can be an essential tool for all kinds of people, from those struggling with addiction to more recreational users. Everyone deserves access to tools that prevent overdose deaths. Harm reduction is compassion and turning a blind eye to the issues facing our society is ignorance.

While Utah still has a long way to go when it comes to compassionate drug policy, it is important to celebrate small wins. It is also essential to spread the word on this bill and make sure everyone knows they can now get decriminalized fentanyl test strips.

Be safe, and ALWAYS test your drugs.