I’ll be giving out free drug testing strips at the Dark Side Burlesque show on April 19th at 8pm at Franky Bradleys. The show is bird-themed and features some of the most fun burlesque and drag performers in Philly. Get tickets here and come and find me for a Platia “goodie bag” filled with public health items.

This article explains why I think this is important right now. 

Narcan is becoming so well known that you can get it at fire stations across Philly. But fewer people know how to use drug testing strips, which have uses for a wider swath of people, are smaller to carry and very easy to use. 

These little strips allow you to test a small portion of drugs to make sure you know what you’re taking. They’re given out to people in harm reduction circles, but are also useful at parties, raves, festivals, or anyplace where people are doing drugs, because you can't be positive exactly what you’re taking unless you test it. 

Given the February 2026 death of cartel leader El Mencho, some sources say that the fentanyl supply chain could be impacted. Even though the pipeline is a well-oiled machine that can continue past the death of one person, it’s a good idea to take stock of the drug supply. Less fentanyl could mean adding animal tranquilizers like medetomidine, xylazine, and other chemicals used in plastics and adhesives, which are resistant to naloxone. You can also test if other drugs, like pills you thought were prescription medication, contain any fentanyl. 

Organizations like the PA Groundhogs offer free drug testing services where individuals can send a small amount of their supply to find out exactly what contains. But you can also get an idea of what’s in your drugs using test strips. By dipping a strip into a small dissolved amount of your drug, you’ll know the makeup of the product – although this might not show everything since you are testing a small sample size. Test strips are free through groups like The Everywhere Project and Punks with Lunch. 

Whether you’re a regular drug user or recreational, it’s good to understand what you’re putting into your body. When you know what’s in your supply you can make better choices and prepare yourself to party safely.