New controversial tool aims to curb fentanyl deaths

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11) - Fentanyl deaths are at an all-time high and rising. Now, there's a new controversial tool designed to try to save lives but not everyone is happy about it.

If you were choosing to engage in risky behavior that might kill you, such as taking illegal drugs or abusing opiates , and you had some information that would let you continue that behavior but maybe in a safer way would you use it ?

Should it be out there?

Is it smart public policy to encourage that so called safer behavior, or does it send the wrong message? Wouldn't it make more sense to try to get people to stop their illicit drug use in the first place ? Are they mutually exclusive ?

These are complex issues with no easy answers surrounding a relatively new product out there referred to in general as 'fentanyl test strips.'

We've heard that fentanyl is killing people in increasing numbers, which prompted the introduction of this product, which basically lets you test your drugs for the presence of this ultra powerful synthetic painkiller.

If it could save a life, why not ? But what if it's a false sense of security.