EMS Leave Behind Program: Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strip Kits

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is providing fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits kits to Wisconsin EMS agencies operating leave behind programs.

Applicants must be EMS providers that provide emergency medical services as an emergency medical responder service provider, non-transporting EMS provider, or ambulance service provider as defined by Wis. Stat. § 110.04(25) AND a DHS Naloxone Direct Program participant.

If your agency is not part of the 2025-2026 DHS Naloxone Direct Program, email DHSDCTSNaloxoneDirect@dhs.wisconsin.gov stating that your agency would like to be added to the program and that the agency has applied for the DHS EMS Leave Behind Program.

Drug checking technologies like fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits are an evidence-based method to prevent drug overdose deaths by educating people about the substances they are using.

Leave behind programs allow EMS professionals to share (“leave behind”) overdose prevention tools and resources with patients and/or their social networks (family, friends, roommates, etc.) at the scene of care or after a hospital transport. Leave behind programs also offer opportunities to provide connections to local treatment providers and overdose prevention organizations. This model presents an opportunity to provide the supplies and support people who use substances need to prevent and reduce health and safety complications.

EMS agencies interested in distributing fentanyl and/or xylazine test strip kits to community members as part of a leave behind program are invited to complete the application form linked in the "solicitation links" section to be considered for this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program.

Applicants accepted into this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program will receive test strip kits at no cost.

• Fentanyl test strip kits are individually packaged in plastic zip bags with each kit containing three fentanyl test strips, three mixing tins, three sterile waters, and three 10 mg scoops. Instructions for using fentanyl test strips should be printed from the DHS website and included with all fentanyl test strip kits: fentanyl test strip instructions
• Xylazine test strip kits are individually packaged in plastic zip bags with each kit containing three xylazine test strips, three mixing tins, three sterile waters, and three 10 mg scoops. Instructions for using xylazine test strips should be printed from the DHS website and included with all xylazine test strip kits: xylazine test strip instructions

Fentanyl test strips and xylazine test strips were decriminalized in Wisconsin through 2021 Wisconsin Act 180 and 2023 Wisconsin Act 217 .

The Division of Care and Treatment will notify applicants accepted into this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program. This notification will include the number of test strip kits awarded to the applicant and instructions on how to report information regarding training and distribution efforts. The approved supplies will ordered and shipped in full this spring. When applying for this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program, estimate the amount of supplies needed for one year.

• April 19, 2026: Applications due by 11:59 p.m.
• April 30, 2026: Approved applicants contacted
• May 2026 through July 2026: Approved applicants receive all the awarded supplies for distribution
• May 2026 through May 2027: Approved applicants submit monthly outcome reports to the Division of Care and Treatment Services

All applicants participating in the DHS EMS Leave Behind Program must:

• Have a designated point person to track and report program related data.
• Agree all fentanyl and/or xylazine strip test kits will be distributed to community members and not used for EMS activities.

Report monthly fentanyl and/or xylazine test strip kit distribution within the REDCap system through May 2027, including:

• Number of people served (given test strip kits)
• Number of fentanyl test strip kits distributed
• Number of xylazine test strip kits distributed

Send questions about the DHS EMS Leave Behind Program and the application process to DHSDCTSNaloxoneDirect@dhs.wisconsin.gov .