In 2022, more than 109,000 people in the united states died or were hospitalized due to accidental fentanyl consumption, with a vast majority of incidents due to non-opioid drugs being contaminated or intentionally mixed with fentanyl by the supplier.
O.P.A. was conceived as a harm-reduction device designed to streamline the process of checking crystalline, powdered, and blotted substances for fentanyl contamination using reliable and proven fentanyl test strips. The goal is to make testing for contamination so easy and accessible that there is simply no excuse not to, regardless of the environment the user may find themselves in.
Front
Back (positive result shown)
Scale / Smartphone
Scale / Hand
The physical design of OPA was a unique challenge - the device needed to be intuitive and easily identified, yet compact and discreet enough to take anywhere it may be needed without drawing attention. Over 30 iterations across 6 distinct variants were completed to deliberately refine the mechanism, form, and functionality of OPA without compromising on the end goal of eliminating sources of error in the testing process.
Incorrect measurements are the #1 source of error in the typical testing process, so OPA takes care of them for you. Once the water basin is full, you have the correct amount of water, and once the sample basin is full you have the correct amount of material to perform the test accurately, no weighing or measurement necessary.
Opa is watertight, isolating the potentially contaminated water from the user, and allowing for an easy cleaning and reset - just open the valve and rinse the basin to flush the device. Once opa is refilled and a fresh test strip is inserted into the body, it is ready to be used at a moment's notice.
User Process:
Rinse
Fill Water Basin
Replace Test Strip
Replace Test Strip
Fill Sample Basin
Slide forward to deposit sample into water
Release slide to seal & shake to mix
Slide back for 10 seconds to release solution onto test strip
Wait 60 Seconds for result to develop
Interpreting the result of a test can be confusing using typical test strips. OPA eliminates this source of error by showing the result clearly as a plus or minus symbol, with a positive (+) result indicating the presence of fentanyl in the sample.
OPA is not just a potentially impactful concept, but also a highly realistic device in terms of manufacturability. Comprised of only a few materials and using pull-manufactured components wherever possible, OPA could feasibly retail for less than $50 USD when packaged with the consumable test strips.
Disclaimer: This conceptual device is a preventative medicine/harm reduction tool, and is not meant to endorse or encourage the consumption of illicit substances, nor diagnose, treat, or prevent any illness or disease. Regardless of your personal opinion on recreational narcotics, the fact is that people are consuming them - for a myriad of reasons in a variety of contexts. Taking drugs is inherently dangerous, but with the right tools and education, the hope is that fewer people are harmed as a result. Be kind, look out for one another, and use responsibly. For more information on substances, drug testing, and other harm reduction resources, please visit Dancesafe.org.
~ For M. and P. ~
