{"id":12482,"date":"2024-02-02T13:26:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T12:26:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/?p=12482"},"modified":"2026-03-16T11:58:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T10:58:00","slug":"fentanyl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sidekicks.berlin\/en\/fentanyl\/","title":{"rendered":"Fact Check: Fentanyl in party drugs in Berlin?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Fentanyl?<\/a>
This content on Instagram<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Fact Check<\/h4>\n\n
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Is there reason to worry about fentanyl in party drugs in Berlin?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Last updated: March 16, 2026\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

Drug checking has found no fentanyl in other substances in Berlin so far<\/h5>\n\n

Among more than 3,500 samples analyzed by Drug Checking Berlin<\/a>, fentanyl has been identified only once: In a sample explicitly submitted as fentanyl. There has been no case of it turning up in any other substance.<\/p>\n\n

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Test strips may sometimes produce false positives<\/h5>\n\n

Drug Checking Berlin detected no fentanyl<\/strong> in a sample where a test strip had raised suspicions.<\/p>\n\n

Fentanyl test strips, originally developed for urine testing, can unfortunately produce false positives<\/a> under certain circumstances, such as when testing stimulants without sufficiently diluting them (for crystal meth, MDMA, etc. a dilution of 2 mg\/mL<\/a> is recommended). Therefore, individual reports of test strip indications aren\u2019t a reliable determination that fentanyl is present in party drugs in Berlin. Therefore, individual reports of test strip indications aren’t a reliable determination that fentanyl is present in party drugs in Berlin.<\/p>\n\n

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In Berlin, Fentanyl isn\u2019t yet turning up where we\u2019d most expect it<\/h5>\n\n

In regions where fentanyl causes widespread problems, it is commonly found among other opioids on the black market. In Germany, the main opioid of concern remains heroin. When heroin samples were systematically screened for fentanyl in drug consumption rooms nationwide in 2023, 2,700 tests turned up only \u201cisolated positive results\u201d in certain regional clusters. \u201cIn Berlin, fentanyl doesn\u2019t seem to be a thing at all so far,\u201d<\/em> the project lead was quoted<\/a> in Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n

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Rumors to the contrary seem to originate in the USA<\/h5>\n\n

Of course, it can\u2019t be ruled out that issues mostly prevalent elsewhere might be imported in singular, exceptional cases \u2013 or in the future. However, absent concrete evidence, rumors of fentanyl suddenly showing up in Berlin in various party drugs seem rather implausible.<\/p>\n\n

In early 2024, warnings widely circulated on social media after a tragic event in Los Angeles<\/strong>, first reported on Jan 19, involving the deaths of two artists who also had connections to Berlin\u2019s scene. According to the L.A. Times<\/a>, investigators are looking into a possible involvement of fentanyl. However, this event bears no material connection to Berlin. However, this event bears no material connection to Berlin.<\/p>\n\n

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The situation might change in the future<\/h5>\n\n

There are valid concerns<\/a> that the local heroin supply might dry up in the near future due to the disruption of opium cultivation in Afghanistan. When this happens, a demand for replacements could arise. If this leads to the local availability of fentanyl, potential mix-ups or contaminations would become more likely.<\/p>\n\n

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Let’s stay vigilant<\/h5>\n\n

Whenever possible, use drug checking \u2013 here’s how<\/a>. Otherwise, here’s how you can reduce your risk of accidentally consuming dangerous amounts of unexpected substances:<\/p>\n\n

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  1. Finely crush any new powders first and mix them up well<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Initially try a smaller dose, e.g. a third of a usual line<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Wait at least 10 minutes to see if the effect is as expected <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Drug checking currently notably shows that samples purchased as \u201cmephedrone\u201d or \u201c3-MMC\u201d<\/a> overwhelmingly test as assorted experimental variants instead<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

    Dangerous drug overdoses in Berlin\u2019s party and chemsex<\/a> scenes are currently mostly caused by GBL \u2013 see our G harm reduction guide<\/a> for a list of typical mistakes that may lead to overdose<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

    You can follow us on Instagram<\/a> for updates!<\/p>\n\n

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    Do you have additional information?<\/h5>\n\n

    Should you know of specific people who came in contact with fentanyl in Berlin in connection with party drug use, and this was verified e.g. in a hospital, please let us know<\/a>! (You’re welcome to leave out any identifying details until we\u2019ve switched to a more secure channel.)<\/p>\n\n