SPRINGFIELD – Enhancing mitigation efforts for the opioid crisis, State Senator Laura Ellman spearheaded a law to expand access to free fentanyl test strips.

“Opioids, including fentanyl, are responsible for a majority of overdose-related deaths across the state, and it is our responsibility to ensure residents have resources to protect themselves,” said Ellman (D-Naperville). “This law will help prevent unexpected overdoses due to fentanyl-laced substances.”

The new law establishes and authorizes programs to distribute fentanyl test strips to promote harm reduction efforts and prevent overdoses. Fentanyl test strips can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in a variety of substances, as fentanyl can be easily disguised and difficult to see with the naked eye.

“The rise in fentanyl overdoses is a reminder that harm reduction efforts must continue,” said Ellman. “We cannot allow the death toll to rise because people lack access to protective resources.”

Senate Bill 3350 was signed into law on Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.