Senate committee backs bill allowing drug-test strips and reagent kits to detect fentanyl and other adulterants

Senate Bill 646, which would permit use of basic drug-testing tools such as fentanyl test strips and reagent kits, was presented and unanimously reported favorably by the Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Jan. 27.

Sponsor Senator Gates said the measure ‘‘doesn't change any Florida drug law’’ but would allow rehabilitation clinics, community health organizations, individuals and law enforcement to use inexpensive testing tools to identify dangerous adulterants that increasingly turn otherwise familiar drugs lethal. Gates cited medical examiner reports that fentanyl and other contaminants are appearing frequently in overdose autopsies.

Advocates told the committee the tools save lives and can prompt immediate treatment. Brad Bishop, who testified in favor, said he founded a nonprofit after losing his brother to what appeared to be a counterfeit Xanax pill laced with fentanyl and described sharp increases in deaths involving fentanyl and synthetic cathinones. ‘‘When we tested in the field … 43 percent of the people we tested showed something that was not supposed to be there,’’ Bishop said, adding many entered treatment after learning results.

Committee members voiced support and Senator Pizzo said the effort ‘‘has been trying for several years’’ and welcomed the bill’s bipartisan backing. No amendments were offered in committee.

The committee called roll and recorded unanimous support; the clerk reported SB 646 "reported favorably." The bill will proceed to its next committee of reference.

Votes at a glance: Committee roll call recorded unanimous "yes" votes from members present; no recorded dissents at this hearing.