Video encourages questions about fentanyl test strips
Commenters also discussed treatment for substance use disorder.
Commenters also discussed treatment for substance use disorder.
Last week, a TikTok video explaining how to use fentanyl test strips prompted questions about where to access them and how much of the drug should be tested. Plus, social media users discussed medication for substance use disorder in response to a video about an illegal psychedelic drug that has been shown to help treat SUD.
In response, communicators may recirculate information about fentanyl test strips and explain how medication for SUD works.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids
On June 20, End Overdose, an organization that aims to prevent overdose deaths, shared a TikTok video explaining how to use fentanyl test strips. The video received approximately 535,000 views, 76,000 likes, and 280 comments as of June 25. Many commenters expressed support for the video and also highlighted the importance of carrying naloxone. Others asked where to access fentanyl test strips, how much of the drug should be tested, and how frequently false positives occur. A few expressed stigmatizing attitudes toward people who use drugs.
On June 20, the Wall Street Journal shared a video on YouTube about ibogaine, a psychedelic drug that has been shown to help treat SUD. However, the drug is illegal in the U.S. The video garnered more than 2,000 comments as of June 25. Many commenters shared personal stories about treatment for SUD. Some said that ibogaine cured their loved ones’ SUD, while others noted that methadone and Suboxone—two medications that are approved to treat SUD in the U.S.—helped them live healthier lives. Several hoped that ibogaine would eventually become a legal treatment for SUD in the U.S.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about opioids.
Questions about fentanyl test strips provide an opportunity to explain that fentanyl test strips help people determine whether their drugs contain fentanyl so they can make educated decisions about drug use. However, they are not legal everywhere, so ensuring that any messaging reflects your state’s drug checking equipment laws is recommended. Fentanyl test strips are 96 to nearly 100 percent accurate in detecting fentanyl. However, the only way to know for sure if a drug contains fentanyl is to test the entire batch. Sometimes false positives occur when certain stimulants and added substances (cutting agents) are present in a drug. Communicators may explain that fentanyl test strips may be available through local harm reduction programs or online. Recirculating information about naloxone in any opioid-related messaging is recommended.
In response to ongoing conversations about SUD treatment, communicators may explain that a combination of medication and therapy has been shown to help people with SUD reestablish normal brain function, reduce substance cravings, and reduce or prevent drug use. Messaging may outline the types of medications that treat SUD and how they work. Communicators may also want to share information about local drug treatment centers, recovery groups, therapist directories, SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP), and local harm reduction programs, which offer tools that help people who use drugs live healthier lives and connect people to treatment when they are ready.