"Drug Dealers Use Fentanyl Test Strips to Market 'Clean' Pills"

Fentanyl test strips, intended to help users detect the presence of the deadly synthetic opioid in drugs, are being misused by drug dealers to falsely advertise "clean" pills on social media. This misuse creates a dangerous false sense of security among users, as the strips are not reliable unless an entire pill or batch is tested. The DEA reports a rise in the potency of fentanyl pills, with 7 out of 10 pills tested in 2023 containing potentially lethal doses. The issue is exacerbated by the lack of quality control in counterfeit pills, leading to inconsistent fentanyl levels.