Understanding the Risks of Buying Fentanyl
Though, to shield against being labeled a narco-state, the Chinese central government has been ramping up efforts to reduce China’s production of illicit fentanyl precursors and their analogs. Chinese manufacturers and distributers can see the writing on the wall and are slowly shifting the production of IMF and FRS to India (2). This creates an environment where people become addicted to opioids through legal and quasilegal pain management channels. Once dependent and less capable of affording strong medicinal opioids, or losing the capacity to legally obtain these opioids, people will then switch to cheap and potent IMF or its analogs. Increased Indian opioid addiction, combined with an upsurge of IMF production in India, portends a major Indian public health crisis. Ambekar et al. (22) describes how this concern is building, “In as many as 13 states in the country (India), the prevalence of opioid use disorders is more than one percent (indicating a major public health concern)” (37).
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often prescribed for pain management. However, its potency also makes it a substance of concern, particularly when it comes to purchasing it illicitly.
Before considering how to buy fentanyl from China, it is crucial to understand the associated risks:
However, after the economic reform of China’s trade policy in the 1980s, the supply route for illicit drug trafficking reopened. And by 2016, the number of officially registered drug addicts in China totaled about 2.5 million, having increased every year since the government’s first annual drug enforcement report in 1998. According to the indictment, Guanlang openly advertises online and sells an array of chemicals, including methamphetamine precursors like methylamine HCL, to customers in the United States and Mexico. Methylamine HCL is an essential precursor chemical that Mexican cartels use to manufacture highly pure and potent methamphetamine. Currently, most of the methamphetamine supply in the United States is produced by drug trafficking cartels in Mexico.
- Legality: Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many countries, including the United States.
- Quality Control: Illicitly sourced fentanyl may be mixed with harmful substances, leading to dangerous consequences.
- Health Risks: Misuse of fentanyl can result in overdose, addiction, and even death.
Two of the eight people charged have been arrested in the Drug Enforcement Administration investigation into four companies, which also seized more than 200 kilograms of precursor chemicals needed to make fentanyl. The synthetic opioid is considered exponentially more addictive than heroin and is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49. But the implementation of such measures and the obstacles to their effectiveness are far greater than in the case of anti-money laundering standards in the banking sector. Similar to methamphetamine, the illicit manufacture and distribution of fentanyl is lucrative for the Mexican cartels.
High legal fragmentation and pluralism in the regulatory framework, ambiguous power sharing, and the involvement of multiple state and central agencies make the regulatory framework highly ineffective. This approach to power sharing creates a large gap between resource expenditure and the benefits obtained. Insufficiently qualified human capital also leads to inefficient law enforcement. Furthermore, legislative acts extend less focus on the digital methods of distribution and procurement of fentanyl and its related substances. China implemented class scheduling for fentanyl and all future fentanyl-like substances controlled under the Regulation on the Administration of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs (RANDPD) for non-medical use. In the case of medical use, fentanyl analogues can be rescheduled under RANDPD, which can be produced and sold under surveillance.
China has not been blind to the key role its chemists play in the global opioid supply chain. Most synthetic drugs that end up in the United In States come from China, either directly or by way of Mexico, according to the DEA. Adding carfentanil to that list is likely to only diminish, not eliminate, global supply. Those countries have expressed a willingness to cooperate on combating the fentanyl trade.
Sepsis, a complication caused by bacterial infections, often results from unhygienic needle use, and, left untreated, has a high mortality rate. Extended time in the ICU and premature death, resulting from severe sepsis, exerts considerable economic losses (83, 84). PWID are also more likely to be homeless or experience unstable living conditions (85). Female intravenous drug users in India are particularly impacted by housing and other living insecurities (86). Increased IMF and FRS use in India will have detrimental consequences for all levels of society, from common drug users to the politicians responsible for social stability and economic output. Young-adult male PWID in India, compared to older adult male PWID, are more likely to engage in needle sharing, have unprotected sex2, and have more sexual partners (80).
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. In a press conference in April, Liu Yuejin, head of China’s National Narcotics Control Commission denied that it is the main source of fentanyl flowing into the United States, and blamed the problem on addiction here. But as Lopez has detailed time and again, cracking down on supply — as the Portman bill would — doesn’t do anything to address demand or treatment, which many experts name as the bigger issues.
The Process of Buying Fentanyl
Although exploring how to buy fentanyl from China may appear straightforward, it involves several intricate steps. Here’s a brief outline of the process:
- Research Suppliers: Conduct thorough research to identify suppliers that offer fentanyl.
- Verify Legitimacy: Check the legality and reviews of the supplier to ensure they are credible.
- Understand Payment Methods: Familiarize yourself with the payment options available, which may include cryptocurrencies for anonymity.
- Consider Shipping Risks: Be aware that packages may be intercepted by customs, leading to legal issues.
- Practice Caution: Always consider the potential consequences of your actions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I buy fentanyl legally?
No, purchasing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in most jurisdictions.
Combating Illicit Fentanyl: Will Increased Chinese Regulation Generate A Public Health Crisis In India?
What are the risks of buying fentanyl online?
- Significant legal and institutional changes in India are necessary to control this problem.
- U.S. authorities say that China remains the primary source of the precursor chemicals, which are then processed and manufactured into synthetic opioids by Mexican drug cartels to bring into the United States.
- The indictments complement actions taken today by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to designate 28 individuals and entities involved with the international proliferation of illicit drugs.
- U.S. counternarcotics and law enforcement bargaining with Mexico is also constrained by the U.S. reliance on Mexico to stop migrant flows to the United States.
- Fentanyl smuggling networks have powerful protectors among corrupt government officials worldwide.
- There are also fentanyl production industries in other countries, including India that could fill the gap of U.S. supply if the flow was stemmed from China.
There are significant risks, including exposure to contaminated products, legal repercussions, and the potential for overdose.
How can I ensure quality if I decide to buy fentanyl?
There is no guaranteed way to ensure the quality of illicitly purchased substances; therefore, it is advised to avoid such purchases altogether.
What should I do if I or someone I know is addicted to fentanyl?
Seek professional help immediately. There are resources and treatment programs available for addiction recovery.
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy fentanyl from China involves navigating a maze of legal, ethical, and health-related questions. Prioritizing safety and legality is paramount. Instead of seeking illicit substances, consider reaching out to healthcare professionals for support and guidance on pain management options.
