Fentanyl test strips declassified as drug paraphernalia in new South Dakota law

PIERRE — Gov. Kristi Noem signed into law a bill that declassifies fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia Wednesday.

Fentanyl test strips are commonly used in harm reduction tactics to allow drug users to test any number of drugs for the presence of fentanyl.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Taylor Rehfeldt, R-Sioux Falls, and Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, is meant to allow harm reduction services to hand out the strips without fear of being penalized.

More:Fentanyl test strips may soon be declassified as drug paraphernalia in South Dakota

In the bill's prior hearings, Rehfeldt and proponents of the bill said fentanyl test strips are another way to get people toward seeking drug addiction treatment.

"We're trying to prevent overdoses for those people that are at high risk populations," said Rehfeldt.

Overdose rates in South Dakota have risen, according to Avoid Opioid SD, a program dedicated to raising awareness about opioid abuse in the state.

At least 104 people in South Dakota had a death related to drugs in 2021.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Fentanyl test strips declassified as drug paraphernalia in new SD law