Frequently Asked Questions

The Free DEFENT ONE Program is a City of Los Angeles initiative that provides every eligible L.A. resident with free access to the DEFENT ONE fentanyl detection device. The program is part of a broader public-health effort to reduce overdose deaths by making life-saving harm-reduction tools easy to access — at no cost.

Adults 18 years or older who reside in the City of Los Angeles are eligible to order a (5) free DEFENT ONE devices per month. You will be asked to confirm your age and residency during checkout.

1. Visit defentla.com and click Claim Your Free Device.
2. Confirm you’re 18+ and an L.A. City resident.
3. Enter your shipping address.
4. Submit. Your device ships free to your door.

Yes — completely free. No payment, no credit card, no shipping fee. The program is funded as part of the City’s overdose prevention efforts.

Each eligible resident household may claim (5) free devices per order per month. If you need devices for a community organization, school, shelter, or other group, please reach out to us at partners@defent.com to learn about our community distribution partnerships.

Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days and ship via standard mail. Most L.A. residents receive their device within 2–5 days of ordering.

The program will partner with libraries, clinics, community organizations, and other trusted local institutions across L.A. that will distribute DEFENT ONE devices in person. Check back for a list of partners near you.

The free program is currently limited to City of L.A. residents. Residents outside the city limits can purchase DEFENT ONE directly at defent.com.

DEFENT ONE is a pocket-sized, single-use device that detects the presence of fentanyl in powders and pills. Built around a controlled testing chamber with a measured scoop and clean-water reagent, it’s engineered for accuracy and ease of use — no science experiment required.

Scoop a small sample, insert into the device, shake, pull, and push. In about 3 minutes, the result tells you whether fentanyl was detected.

For a step-by-step demonstration, see this video.

DEFENT ONE detects fentanyl at concentrations as low as 15 nanograms — one of the most sensitive thresholds available in any consumer-facing detection product. Like all detection tools, it’s not a guarantee of safety, but it dramatically reduces the risk of unintentional exposure.

Most counterfeit pills, powders, and street substances. It is not designed to test foods, beverages, or pharmaceuticals obtained from a licensed pharmacy.

No. DEFENT ONE is single-use. Each test uses a fresh, sealed device to ensure clean, accurate results — no cross-contamination.

Place the used device back into its resealable package and dispose of it in regular household trash. No special disposal is required.

DEFENT ONE is manufactured in an ISO 13485-certified facility — an internationally recognized quality standard for medical devices.

• Two lines — No fentanyl detected (even if one line appears faint).
• One line — Fentanyl detected. Do not use the substance.
• No lines — Invalid test. Discard and try again with a new device.

About 3 minutes from start to finish.

If no lines appear, the test is invalid. Discard the device and run the test again with a fresh DEFENT ONE, carefully following the instructions. If you continue to get invalid results, contact us at info@defentla.com.

Do not use the substance. Carefully dispose of both the substance and the used device. We also strongly encourage you to anonymously report the positive result at the DEFENT Positive Reporting Tool — this helps alert your community to dangerous substances circulating in the area. Reporting is private and does not identify you.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin or morphine. While it has legitimate medical uses, it is also illegally manufactured and increasingly found in counterfeit pills and street substances — often in deadly amounts.

Because of its potency, even a tiny amount — invisible to the naked eye — can cause fatal overdose. Fentanyl is the leading driver of the ongoing opioid crisis, which claims more than 150 lives every day in the United States.

Any substance not obtained from a licensed pharmacy carries some risk of fentanyl contamination — including counterfeit prescription pills, powders, and street drugs.

Call 9-1-1 immediately. If naloxone (Narcan) is available, administer it right away. California’s Good Samaritan law provides legal protection for those who call for help during an overdose. Stay with the person until emergency responders arrive.

Yes. Your order is private. We use your information only to verify eligibility and ship your device. We do not share order information with law enforcement, employers, or any third party except as required to fulfill your order.

No. Orders placed through defentla.com are not part of any public record.

Your DEFENT ONE ships in discreet packaging with no external branding indicating the contents.

Yes. In California, fentanyl test strips and detection devices are legal harm-reduction tools. The Free DEFENT ONE Program is a public-health initiative supported by the City of Los Angeles.