Federal funding ends for fentanyl test strips as Ohio public health agency supplies run low

June 5, 2026 - 20:32

The Trump administration has moved to block the use of federal money for buying fentanyl test strips, a key tool in the fight against opioid overdoses. Columbus Public Health officials say that once their existing stock of the strips is gone, getting more will be a serious challenge. The strips are considered a harm reduction measure, allowing users to check if their drugs contain the powerful synthetic opioid before taking them.

Health advocates argue the ban could lead to more fatal overdoses, as fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs without the user's knowledge. The strips are cheap and easy to use, and public health agencies across Ohio have relied on federal grants to distribute them widely. Without that funding, local departments must either find state or private money or stop providing the strips altogether.

Columbus Public Health has not said exactly how many strips it has left, but officials confirm the supply is low. The agency is now looking for alternative funding sources, though no guarantees have been made. Critics of the ban say it ignores the reality of the drug crisis and removes a simple, proven way to save lives. Supporters of the policy argue that the strips enable drug use and do not address addiction treatment. For now, the immediate impact will be felt by people who depend on the strips as a last line of defense.