Gov. Greg Abbott Says He Supports Legalizing Fentanyl Test Strips in Texas

Tablets believed to be laced with fentanyl are displayed at the Drug Enforcement Administration Northeast Regional Laboratory in New York on Oct. 8, 2019. (Don Emmert/AFP via Getty Images)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters he would support legislation to legalize fentanyl testing strips in the state of Texas, a reversal from his previous position during the last legislative session.

The Republican governor on Thursday made the statement following a tour at the University of Houston lab where researchers recently developed a fentanyl vaccine they say could potentially save lives.

The vaccine “targeting the dangerous synthetic opioid could block its ability to enter the brain, thus eliminating the drug’s ‘high,’” according to a university press release. Researchers said the vaccine could potentially be used to help prevent relapses in those trying to quit using opioids.

“Fentanyl remains the single deadliest drug threat our state and nation has ever encountered, and Texas continues leading the fight against this clandestine killer,” he said during a press conference with university officials.

“This incredible, groundbreaking new therapy has the potential to revolutionize how we combat fentanyl deaths in our communities and end the afflictions of addiction that burden so many innocent Texans and Americans across the country. I look forward to working alongside the University of Houston and Dr. Haile in Texas in continued efforts to save innocent lives from being lost to this deadly drug,” he continued, referring to associate professor Dr. Colin Haile.

Abbott shared his plans to consider new legislation, including classifying fentanyl deaths as poisonings and allowing murder charges to be brought against individuals who distribute fentanyl or drugs laced with fentanyl that cause a person’s death.

“We also need to legalize fentanyl strips in the state of Texas so that people will be able to test drugs at home to know whether or not it might be laced with fentanyl,” he said.

Test Strips Considered ‘Paraphernalia’

Under current Texas laws, fentanyl testing strips are classified as drug paraphernalia, making them illegal to possess. The small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in various drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.

Several lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have filed bills to legalize the test strips.

Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Abbott highlighted several other actions his office has taken to combat the nation’s growing fentanyl crisis.

In September, the governor issued an executive order designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. He also recently launched the “One Pill Kills” campaign in October to raise awareness of the deadly fentanyl crisis.

In 2021, 1,692 Texans died from opioid drug overdoses. Of those deaths, 1,612 were fentanyl-related, according to a Texas Health and Human Services report (pdf).