Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Fentanyl Deaths With Testing Strips

The Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Act, aims to reduce fentanyl poisoning deaths by decriminalizing access to testing strips and addressing the nationwide crisis through prevention measures.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) speaks to the media in Mission, Texas, on March 26, 2021. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A handful of U.S. senators have introduced legislation to increase access to fentanyl testing strips in an effort to prevent poisoning deaths from the powerful opioid.

The proposal, known as the Fentanyl Safe Testing and Overdose Act, would amend the Controlled Substances Act to decriminalize the possession and use of testing strips, which are currently classified as drug paraphernalia.