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Do State and Local Policies Surrounding Fentanyl Test Strips Impact Overdose Deaths?

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Abstract

We examine the effects of legalizing fentanyl test strips (FTS), which identify the presence of fentanyl in recreational drugs, on overdose deaths. Using difference-in-differences methods, we find that purely increasing de jure access to fentanyl test strips (FTS), which can reduce information asymmetries regarding drug contents, had little effect on overdose mortality. We then examine the effects of multi-dimensional community-based interventions aimed at increasing de facto access to FTS and other harm reduction resources. These hands-on approaches were more effective in reducing overdose deaths. Together, these findings suggest that FTS are used at sub-optimal levels, and more active efforts to distribute them could reduce overdoses.

Suggested Citation

  • Linnea J. Endersby & Matthew C. Harris & Lawrence M. Kessler, 2026. "Do State and Local Policies Surrounding Fentanyl Test Strips Impact Overdose Deaths?," Working Papers 2026-01, University of Tennessee, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ten:wpaper:2026-01
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    File URL: https://university-of-tennessee-econ.github.io/repec/pdf/2026-01.pdf
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    1. William N. Evans & Ethan M. J. Lieber & Patrick Power, 2019. "How the Reformulation of OxyContin Ignited the Heroin Epidemic," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 101(1), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Kim, Bokyung, 2021. "Must-access prescription drug monitoring programs and the opioid overdose epidemic: The unintended consequences," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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