Pulaski County sheriff warns fentanyl test strips not foolproof

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PULASKI COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that fentanyl test strips should not be relied on as a sole safety measure when it comes to illicit drugs.

In a public service announcement, Sheriff Stacy L. Ball said while test strips can help detect the presence of fentanyl, they are not foolproof and may give users a false sense of security.

Officials warned that fentanyl is commonly found in counterfeit pills and street drugs, including fake prescription medications such as Percocet, Xanax and Adderall.

Authorities said drugs obtained through social media, acquaintances or other unofficial sources should be assumed to potentially contain fentanyl.

The sheriff’s office is urging parents to talk with their children about the risks, emphasizing that even a single exposure to a fentanyl-laced substance can be fatal.

Officials said education and awareness are critical, noting that the safest way to avoid fentanyl exposure is to avoid taking non-prescribed or illegal drugs altogether.