Ohio Governor DeWine Expands Legal Access to Drug Overdose Prevention Tools

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed an executive order that allows the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to adopt an emergency rule expanding access to drug overdose prevention tools, including test strips and reagent kits for fentanyl and several emerging synthetic drugs such as xylazine, medetomidine, benzimidazole-opioids (nitazenes), and benzodiazepine compounds. This rule exempts these testing tools from Ohio's definition of drug paraphernalia, making them legally accessible to the public, which is anticipated to reduce overdose deaths by enabling users to detect dangerous substances in street drugs. The move follows recent legislative changes empowering the Board of Pharmacy to decriminalize such tools based on their efficacy in preventing drug poisonings. Governor DeWine emphasized that removing barriers to these harm reduction tools is crucial in Ohio's overall strategy to lower overdose fatalities and save lives. Officials highlighted that these tools support harm reduction by providing individuals with the means to test substances, increasing the chances of survival and recovery. This initiative aligns with the ongoing efforts of DeWine's RecoveryOhio program to enhance access to lifesaving interventions for those at risk of overdose.