Last Updated: February 13, 2023

By: Lucille L., Communications & Social Media Intern, DanceSafe

A community member provided DanceSafe with information about an incident involving an individual in Louisville, KY who was recently hospitalized for symptoms related to a drug overdose. According to the patient, they were only using cocaine and ketamine, but fentanyl was found in their system. We were informed that the hospital tested the drugs consumed by the patient with fentanyl testing strips and the ketamine tested positive for fentanyl. The cocaine was also tested but fentanyl was not found. No reagent testing was done on either substance before consumption.

Fentanyl and various fentanyl analogs are highly potent synthetic opioids between fifty and many hundreds of times stronger than heroin. Many people have died from overdose after consuming counterfeit pharmaceutical pills containing fentanyl, and more recently, fentanyl-laced cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, and other drugs.

We urge our community to keep in mind that drug markets are expansive and these substances may appear in locations other than the submission’s origins. Always test before you ingest!

This instance demonstrates the importance of using both reagents and fentanyl test strips when conducting drug checking for all substances. This also serves as a reminder of the importance of carrying naloxone, which can save lives by reversing opiate-related overdoses. Remember, fentanyl and its analogues are lethal at small doses. Learn more about how to use fentanyl test strips and purchase them here.

If you test a misrepresented substance, please submit it to testit@dancesafe.org to be featured in a #TestIt Alert.

Since 1998, DanceSafe has been keeping the electronic music and nightlife communities safe. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide free harm reduction services at music festivals and nightlife events across the nation. All proceeds from the sales of our drug checking kits go back into the organization so we can continue to provide our services in our communities for free. By purchasing a kit, you are not only helping keep you and your friends safe, you are also contributing to the harm reduction movement. Thank you for your support!