Understanding Fentanyl: A Guide
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically to treat severe pain, particularly for cancer patients or those recovering from surgery. However, its potency has also led to widespread abuse and addiction, raising serious public health concerns.
Illicit substances are highly unpredictable and can be mixed with lethal doses of fentanyl that can cause an overdose – even in very small amounts. Individuals who misuse stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines) may be unknowingly exposing themselves to fentanyl, and as a result, become especially vulnerable to overdosing. Counterfeit pills, such as “blue oxys” and fake Xanax, have become increasingly available and are commonly laced with fentanyl. It can be used to save the life of someone experiencing a fentanyl-related overdose. As part of our harm reduction plan at UCSC Student Health Services, SHOP and the Cove have partnered to provide Naloxone and Fentanyl Testing Strips (FTS) to our students.
Results are not generalizable to all other states, such as Texas, where the sales and distribution of FTS is illegal [27]. Further work should investigate whether PWUD would be willing to purchase FTS from pharmacies. Future work should explore construct validity of these measures. CNN was granted rare access to the secret lab where the DEA tests and analyzes seized illicit drugs in order to stay ahead of the opioid crisis and track what could be coming next.
Because fentanyl is so potent, its use in people who are naïve to fentanyl use can quickly lead to overdose and death. Our new, improved fentanyl test strips can quickly and reliably detect fentanyl and most of its known analogs in a drug sample. Unlike other strips on the market, they do not produce false positives with meth, MDMA, or cocaine. The fentanyl test strips given away were packaged into kits including 10 strips, each with instructions on how to use them, a pocket-sized set of instructions with pictures, and information on fentanyl.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl?
It may be laced into other illegal street drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, fake opioid pills, or methamphetamine (“meth”). It is relatively cheap to make and allows an illicit drug manufacturer to stretch their product, make it more powerful and addictive, and gain more money for themselves. In Philadelphia, fentanyl is often found in heroin and pressed pills (Xanax, oxys, percs) and could contaminate other drugs like cocaine, crack, and other stimulants. Since 2019, 134,280 doses of NARCAN® have been distributed at no cost through community agencies to people who use opioids or drugs that could be mixed with opioids, and their families and friends. So far this year, more than 5,000 overdoses have been reversed with NARCAN® distributed through this program.
Naloxone displaces the opioids from the opioid receptors in the brain which allows the person who is experiencing an opioid overdose to begin breathing normally. CSU Health Network provides resources to help students learn how to improve mental health, manage stress and minimize anxiety. These include online 24/7 tools, groups and workshops, multicultural counseling, one-on-one services and more. Opioid prescribing by physicians decreased for the 13th consecutive year, but overdose deaths related to illicitly manufactured substances continue to increase.
Anyone who uses drugs that may contain fentanyl, even occasionally, may be at risk of overdose. Certified providers can order up to 1,200 fentanyl test strips and up to 600 xylazine test strips or set up a naloxone ordering account using the provider and individual request form. You can’t see, smell or taste fentanyl when it’s mixed with other drugs.
When considering the question of where can I buy fentanyl, it is essential to prioritize safety and legality. Fentanyl is controlled and is only available through legal channels. Here are some of the appropriate ways to obtain it:
Fatal overdose rates among Hispanic and non-Hispanic black individuals rose last year, while at the same time fentanyl was increasingly detected across all categories of drug overdose deaths. The UW is participating in national and local efforts to address drug use and addiction. Even though research has confirmed that fentanyl test strips are an accurate, low-cost, and relatively easy method of testing drugs for the presence of fentanyl, they aren’t always a 100% guarantee. Ideally, it’s best to use them every time you use, but it may not be realistic for everyone.
- Prescription from a Licensed Medical Professional: Fentanyl is prescribed for specific medical conditions. Only a qualified healthcare provider can issue a prescription after assessing a patient’s need for the medication.
- Pharmacies: Once a prescription is obtained, fentanyl can be purchased from a licensed pharmacy. It is crucial to ensure that the pharmacy is legitimate and properly licensed.
- Hospitals: Patients admitted to hospitals may receive fentanyl during their treatment. This is done under strict medical supervision.
California Experiments With Distributing Fentanyl Tests
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
Purchasing fentanyl outside of legal channels poses significant risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Buying drugs without a prescription is illegal and can result in severe legal penalties.
- Health Risks: Illicit fentanyl may be mixed with dangerous substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Lack of Quality Control: Unregulated substances may not have the purity or dosages advertised, leading to unforeseen adverse effects.
FAQs
Can I buy fentanyl online?
Buying fentanyl online can be risky and illegal unless it is through a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription. Exercise extreme caution.
What should I do if I have a fentanyl prescription?
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully, and fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
- In its liquid form, illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be found in nasal sprays and eye drops, and it can be dropped onto paper or small candies.
- Based on previous legislation in some states, fentanyl test strips are classified as drug paraphernalia and are considered illegal.
- Click here for some helpful FAQs that we have compiled from local, state, and federal health agencies, as well as information on the County’s next vaccination event this week.
- People struggling with substance use can contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline to be connected to treatment options.
- According to the Department of Justice, F.O.R.T. is a multiagency team composed of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Fresno Police Department.
- Xylazine wounds can take a long time to heal and require prolonged medical care.
Are there alternatives to fentanyl for pain relief?
Yes, there are several alternatives for pain management, including other medications and non-pharmacological therapies. Consult with a healthcare provider for recommendations.
Conclusion
Understanding where can I buy fentanyl involves recognizing the importance of doing so legally and safely. Medically prescribed fentanyl can offer relief for severe pain when used appropriately, but misuse can have devastating consequences.
