Second Place Winner
Policy Memo: Decriminalize Drug-Checking Technologies in Pennsylvania to Prevent Overdose Deaths
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Kyla Mace (1,5,7), Wisberty J. Gordián-Vélez (2,5,7), Aerin Wheeler (3,5-7), Victor Acero (2,5-7), Emily Cribas (4-7)
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Keywords: drug overdose; fentanyl test strips; drug-checking technologies (DCTs); people who use drugs (PWUD); Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act
Executive Summary: Drug-checking technologies (DCTs), such as fentanyl test strips, prevent fatal overdoses caused by the adulteration of drugs. DCTs are currently classified as illegal drug paraphernalia in Pennsylvania (PA), but the recent and significant rise in fentanyl-related overdoses has prompted the PA House and Senate to propose exempting fentanyl test strips from the definition of drug paraphernalia. While fentanyl is currently the leading drug adulterant, other substances may be used to alter drugs. Therefore, we argue that broader reform is required to protect Pennsylvanians against all potential drug adulterants. We recommend that the PA House and Senate Judiciary Committees work to amend the PA Controlled Substance, Drug, Device, and Cosmetic Act to exempt all DCTs from the definition of drug paraphernalia. This proactive intervention will save countless lives by preventing adulterant-related overdoses.
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Kyla Mace is a graduate student in the Pharmacology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania with a research background in the neurobiology of substance use disorders. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Wisberty J. Gordián-Vélez is a PhD candidate in the Bioengineering Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania studying neural tissue engineering approaches to treat neurodegenerative disease. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.
Aerin Wheeler is a graduating senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Public Health and Neuroscience. Her research interests include health disparities, healthcare delivery, and community medicine.
Victor Acero studies tissue engineering and traumatic brain injury as a PhD candidate in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Science from the Pennsylvania State University.
Emily S. Cribas is a PhD candidate in the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania studying host-pathogen interactions in the gut. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Psychology minor from Penn State.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the contributions of Shannon Wolfman, Jake Hoffman, Stephen Mell, and Erin Reagan from the University of Pennsylvania in preparing this manuscript.
Wisberty J. Gordián-Vélez is a PhD candidate in the Bioengineering Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania studying neural tissue engineering approaches to treat neurodegenerative disease. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.
Aerin Wheeler is a graduating senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Public Health and Neuroscience. Her research interests include health disparities, healthcare delivery, and community medicine.
Victor Acero studies tissue engineering and traumatic brain injury as a PhD candidate in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Science from the Pennsylvania State University.
Emily S. Cribas is a PhD candidate in the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania studying host-pathogen interactions in the gut. She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Psychology minor from Penn State.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful for the contributions of Shannon Wolfman, Jake Hoffman, Stephen Mell, and Erin Reagan from the University of Pennsylvania in preparing this manuscript.
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.
ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193