Bill > S09221

This bill directs the commissioner of the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to create a program that provides free drug test strips to individuals. These test strips will be used to detect the presence of dangerous contaminants like medetomidine, benzodiazepines, and nitazenes, which are potent synthetic opioids. The bill specifies that various facilities, including hospital emergency rooms, addiction treatment centers, homeless shelters, and other locations frequented by individuals with substance use disorders, can apply to distribute these test strips. Importantly, individuals obtaining these test strips at these designated facilities will not be targeted by law enforcement. Furthermore, the commissioner, in collaboration with the Department of Health, will launch a public awareness campaign to educate people about the dangers of these contaminants, where they might be found, and the availability of the free test strips.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S9221