Using testing strips to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl or other contaminants; also, using a machine, known as a spectrometer, to test samples for drug contents, contaminants, and fentanyl amounts.

A synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Legally prescribed fentanyl is used to control pain. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (see below) is often mixed into street drugs.

A public health strategy and a movement for social justice to reduce harm associated with criminalized activities, such as using drugs or engaging in sex work, by providing education, safe supplies, and nonjudgmental environments. The strategy focuses on the prevention of drug-related harm rather than the prevention of drug use. Using evidence-based strategies, harm reduction practices are proven to reduce the number of overdose deaths, the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, public drug use, disorder, and discarded paraphernalia. The strategy also boosts referrals to housing, healthcare, treatment, and legal services.

A highly potent synthetic opioid or an analog developed in clandestine laboratories.

A medication, which works to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose

Brand name of one form of nasal naloxone

A category of drugs that can include plant-derived opiates; semi-synthetic opioids such as oxycodone, which have compounds from plant sources; and those that are made in laboratories. Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), and fentanyl are all opioids.

Although in present day, the term refers to both plant-derived and synthetic opioids, in classical pharmacology, opiates are specifically substances made from several species of the opium poppy plant that help relieve pain. These plants have been cultivated and used by humans for medicinal and recreational purposes over thousands of years. Opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin are examples of opiates.

Also known as overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the United States, and globally as safe consumption sites (SCSs), drug consumption rooms (DCRs), and safe injection facilities (SIFs). Some are run by community members, including active and former drug users, and some are staffed with medical professionals. Most are for injection drug users, but some offer safe rooms for smoking crack and/or meth, as fentanyl is making its way into all street drugs.

Evidence-based treatment that provides free pharmaceutical heroin or opioids for chronic injection drug users to reduce the risk of overdose and risky behaviors to obtain drugs.

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Refers to providing regulated, tested, and/or prescribed medications as a safer alternative to the unregulated toxic drug supply for people who are at high risk of overdose.

Unregulated drug supply with unknown contaminants and/or amounts.

A government-led initiative whose purported purpose was to stop illegal drug use, distribution, and trade by increasing prison sentences for drug dealers and users. The war on drugs began in 1971 and is still going on today, however with many critics calling out its racist and discriminatory objectives.