Why It’s Essential To Implement Fentanyl Testing In Schools

Is Fentanyl Testing Essential In Schools?

Pause, and for a moment, think about the 56,516 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2020. Fentanyl has become a nightmare to society, contributing to deaths, respiratory depression, sedation, comas, and addiction.

This opioid is similar to morphine. However, it is up to 100 times more potent than the latter, gradually attracting abusers. It is often added to heroin to boost its potency or disguised as highly potent heroin.

Various studies show that fentanyl is among the most abused drugs in the US. But is its testing necessary in schools? The following insights will help you understand why and how fentanyl testing is vital in schools.

 Is Fentanyl Testing Necessary In Schools?

While fentanyl was meant for pain management and cancer, many people, including students and teachers, abuse it. Testing learners for this drug provides insights into their wellness, allowing authorities to take remedial measures.

When done correctly, fentanyl testing can act as a drug abuse deterrent and detect its presence in the bloodstream. You’ll also be sure of the following benefits:

Offender Monitoring

Fentanyl testing allows authorities to identify and monitor drug abusers. Establishing substance abuse makes identifying the offender and initiating the necessary remedial actions easy. If the student is a repeat offender, the authorities could take stricter measures to curtail the problem.

Most often, students and teachers get drugs from outsiders. Once you establish that one is using fentanyl, you could use that as an avenue to locate the seller and take legal action. Gradually, it ensures the community is free from the menace.

Substance Abuse Deterrence

Students and teachers will likely refrain from fentanyl and substance abuse if subjected to frequent fentanyl testing. It encourages self-discipline and instils fear. Also, students subjected to random tests will likely say no to substance abuse.

Encourages Safety

Fentanyl testing reduces the risk of having substance abusers in school. Most fentanyl abusers are moody, unable to fulfill responsibilities, and have poor coordination. These symptoms contribute to safety issues, particularly for other students and teachers. By reducing the number of abusers, schools will effortlessly boost the safety of their students and teachers.

At the same time, fentanyl poses various health issues to the user. Regular tests can help deter these issues. Besides, prevention saves lives.

Create Awareness

Various institutions, including Wolfe Inc., use fentanyl testing to create awareness. Investing in sufficient information will significantly lower the rate of substance abuse and addiction. Inculcating a culture of random fentanyl tests contributes to information, particularly on the effects of the substance.

Devise Remedial Measures

An excellent remedial strategy will cushion students and teachers against fentanyl-related complications, including comas and death.

This drug is addictive and intense, meaning an individual must undergo a medically-supervised detox. The medical staff and therapist will devise a personalized to suit your lifestyle, medical status, and genetic predisposition.

Besides a comprehensive detox, inpatient rehab is inevitable. An intensive outpatient rehab program could also suffice. Professionals in these centers will customize treatment plans, guaranteeing an efficient recovery process.

Methods Used to Test Fentanyl

Schools can use two methods to test fentanyl’s presence in the blood, urine, saliva, or drug residue: rapid fentanyl testing strips or laboratory tests.

Fentanyl Testing Strips

Fentanyl testing strips are gradually becoming the mainstay of modern drug tests. This FTS technology detects the presence of fentanyl in different drugs before use. Understanding the quantity of fentanyl in these drug samples will help reduce the risk of an overdose.

Fentanyl testing strips are single-use, disposable, and excellent for immunoassay tests with a detection level of 20mg/ml. You can also use them to test fentanyl’s presence in urine and blood samples.

These strips are essential for students who could be exposed to fentanyl. You’ll dip them into the drug residue to determine how much substance is in it. Here are the three steps to follow:

•       Dissolve a sample of the drug in water and dip the strip in it
•       Put the test strip on a flat surface and leave it for approximately five minutes  
•       Confirm the results. While a single line highlights the presence of fentanyl in the substance, two lines prove a negative result. You can repeat the process for certainty.

Laboratory Tests

Schools can outsource laboratory services to confirm the presence of fentanyl in body fluids. These labs have various technologies that could help detect the amount of the substance in the body. They also guarantee extensive analytics and accuracy, minimizing the chances of false positives or negatives.

Who Is Likely to Abuse Fentanyl?

Before testing for fentanyl, it would be best to understand the most vulnerable group. Unfortunately, the most affected group entails adults aged 18 to 25.

You’ll likely be dependent on fentanyl after using it as a prescription for pain management. Its unmatched potency contributes to effortless habit formation. Most abusers are tempted to use this drug every time they experience pain.

Besides, you’ll likely experience severe or painful withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms worsen when you skip or miss a dose.

Various factors could increase the risk of fentanyl addiction, including the following:

Psychological Factors

Suppose co-occurring disorders are left untreated. Then, expect an increased risk of addiction to fentanyl. Various conditions, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression, could force students to use this drug, gradually becoming dependent on it.

Social Environment

Students exposed to fentanyl at home will likely abuse this drug. The risk increases if their peers use this substance for prescription or recreational purposes.

Self-Medication

Fentanyl, like other opioid-derivative drugs, causes euphoric feelings. This drug alleviates pain, sadness, and stress. A student could turn to fentanyl for the desire for such intense euphoric feelings.

Genetic Predispositions

You could be genetically predisposed to fentanyl addiction. Students with addicts in the family or social circles might have internalised fentanyl addiction as part of life. An individual’s genetic makeup could also contribute to the risk of drug addiction.

Redefine Fentanyl Testing

Fentanyl testing is essential in schools, ensuring children are safe and free from substance abuse. While random tests provide better insights, ensure they are done by a professional. 

Contact Wolfe Inc. Today

Wolfe Inc. is here to help employers and medical providers combat the fentanyl overdose epidemic by offering the most comprehensive employment drug testing services available. Our Team of employment toxicology testing experts are here to assist your practice, company or school system with any questions you might have!