Mother, legislator work to legalize fentanyl test strips in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. — A device that may detect fentanyl in a drug is gaining traction within the Kansas legislature.

The laws to legalize fentanyl check strips handed the Kansas Home of Representatives and is now being debated within the Kansas Senate.

The hassle to go the brand new laws is as a result of fentanyl check strips are at present unlawful in Kansas. They’re thought of drug paraphernalia.

The Community for Public Well being Regulation stated it’s authorized to have fentanyl check strips in at the least 30 states and the District of Columbia. Missouri and Kansas aren’t a part of that record.

The KSHB 41 I-Crew spoke with Libby Davis who misplaced her son, Cooper, to a fentanyl poisoning in August of 2021.

Greater than a yr later, his image nonetheless brings unhappiness, however it additionally reminds her of what she’s been referred to as to do.

“My mission is to ensure that his story lives on and is used for good,” Davis stated.

Davis stated her son took half of what he thought was a Percocet capsule. It turned out to be pretend and contained fentanyl.

“Our primary precedence from the second we misplaced Cooper is saving lives,” Davis stated.

In Might of 2022, Davis wrote a letter to Kansas lawmakers supporting fentanyl check strips.

“It’s a strong epidemic and getting worse each day,” Davis says. “The magnitude of the issue is rising each day and our response to it wants to regulate.”

On this yr’s State of the State speech, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly stated she needed fentanyl check strips to be decriminalized.

State Rep. Jason Probst (D – Hutchinson) believes that helped give the laws some momentum.

“I believe it’s drawn extra consideration to it,” Probst stated. “It’s elevated to a stage as a substitute of a single legislator form of pushing for this.”

Probst has been attempting to get the invoice handed for 3 years. He is used the earlier makes an attempt to hone his message for critics of the concept.

“If we’re within the enterprise of attempting to make the state higher, if we’re within the enterprise of attempting to avoid wasting lives, if we’re within the enterprise of attempting to assist folks, that is one thing that we are able to try this’s a extremely easy device,” Probst stated. “The state doesn’t actually need to do something aside from to make a declaration that these are now not unlawful.”

To get a greater understanding of how fentanyl check strips work, the I-Crew went to First Name in Kansas Metropolis. It’s a company that gives providers to these impacted by substance use issues.

First Name’s Margaux Guignon stated they will solely have the check strips for purchasers post-consumption.

“Put up consumption means that you’d check principally urine after use to see if fentanyl is exhibiting up in your system,” Guignon stated.

Guignon stated the group has solely had the fentanyl check strips because the finish of final yr. With that comes a number of questions from our group.

“They’re asking form of the identical questions that you’re. ‘Is it authorized to have? How do you employ them? Who ought to have them?’” Guignon says.

“Somebody makes use of medication then they go to the toilet right into a cup after which what they might do is stick this little check strip within the cup with the blue half up,” Guignon stated in describing how the check strips are used. “Then you definitely dip it into the urine after which you’re going to get your check outcome again on the precise strip.”

One line means constructive for fentanyl. Two traces imply damaging.

Native legislation enforcement companies just like the Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, Police Division have heard concerning the laws. They’re staying impartial on the concept.

“I believe something that’s going to avoid wasting lives, we have now to actually take a look at it and consider it,” KCKPD Chief of Police Karl Oakman stated.

Oakman sees it as a double-edged sword.

“If they’ve the check strips then it could cut back the quantity of overdoses. Sadly, fentanyl has precipitated younger folks to rethink Percocets, Dilaudid, hydrocodone, abusing these pharmaceuticals,” Oakman stated. “My concern is that if they obtained the check strip then they’ll go proper again to doing it as a result of they will check it. ‘Oh there’s no fentanyl, let me go forward and pop this capsule,’ and that’s what we wish to keep away from.”

Davis hopes talking up will change the minds of lawmakers on the fence.

“I simply hope it’ll open their minds to the thought that each life is value saving,” she stated.

Comparable laws has additionally been filed in Missouri.

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