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Understanding Fentanyl and Its Acquisition
Participants will learn how to recognize and appropriately respond to an opioid overdose. This is a free classroom-style training event and is the most informative style of training for any member of the public. Michael Marquesen first noticed about a year ago that fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, had hit the streets of Los Angeles. People suddenly started overdosing after they shot up a new white powder that dealers promised would give them a powerful high.
Naloxone is available at pharmacies across the state at low or no cost; naloxone kits and training sessions are available upon request. Watch a video on How to use fentanyl test strips from Prevent Overdose-Rhode Island. Naloxone can reverse a fentanyl overdose, although in some cases it may take more doses because fentanyl is so potent. You should also call 911, just like for any medical emergency, so extra help is on the way.
Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, often used for pain management in medical settings. However, its illicit use has raised significant concerns regarding safety and legality. If someone is asking, how can I buy fentanyl, it is crucial to approach this topic with caution and awareness of the legal ramifications and health risks.
The amount of seized fentanyl in Oregon’s high intensity drug trafficking areas (HIDTA) increased from 690 dosage units (counterfeit pills) in 2018 to more than 2 million in 2022. Fentanyl has now surpassed methamphetamine as the most frequent drug involved in overdose deaths in Oregon. Oregon is experiencing an influx of fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills. Many of these pills are made to look identical to prescription opioids and are falsely marketed to people in the community as legitimate. Most counterfeit pills resemble oxycodone 30mg pills (M30s), but they can also look like hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, and other medications.
Legal Considerations
This has long been a fear that if you give people tools to make something safer, they’re going to take greater risk. But we actually have really good evidence in the drug-use space that harm reduction interventions don’t encourage drug use. And people who use drugs have not forfeited their human rights, including the right to life and health. Most people in the U.S. use drugs, whether it’s caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine. Someone may be buying what they think is cocaine or a benzodiazepine pill, but there could be small amounts of fentanyl present. That is incredibly risky and puts them at great risk of overdose.
What Are Fentanyl Testing Strips?
Before considering any purchase of fentanyl, it is important to understand the legal implications:
- Prescription Requirement: In most countries, fentanyl is classified as a controlled substance. This means that it can only be legally obtained with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
- Illicit Purchase Risks: Purchasing fentanyl from illegal sources can lead to severe legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment.
- Health Risks: Fentanyl purchased illicitly may not be pure and carries a high risk of overdose due to its potency.
Every Wednesday, the SUPHR staff partnered with South Philly Punks with Lunch at Broad and Snyder. They gave out homemade food, drinks, clothing, and additional harm reduction supplies. They even would bring a radio and we would listen to music. Overall, the Health Department gave away 11,715 test strips and 394 doses of Narcan over 45 events in four months. However, there were hundreds of memorable moments and potentially life-saving conversations.
Opioid prescribing by physicians decreased for the 13th consecutive year, but overdose deaths related to illicitly manufactured substances continue to increase. A negative result does not guarantee that your drug sample is free from all synthetic opioids. 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.
Partnership to End Addiction is here if you need help thinking this through. We can share suggestions on how to talk about test strips with your loved one and other ways to reduce risks. People have also reported that they felt less judged by being able to test their substances in private rather than having to take their substances to another place for testing.
So far, all overdose deaths in Oregon where xylazine was present also involved fentanyl. Distributors in the US sell counterfeit pills on social media, appealing to a younger, more opioid naïve audience that use social media apps. Opioid naïve individuals are at high risk of accidental overdose because they do not have a tolerance for opioids, may not have access to naloxone, and may not know how to decrease overdose risk.
Obtaining Fentanyl Legally
If you are seeking fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, follow these steps:
- Consult a Medical Professional: Schedule an appointment with a doctor to discuss your pain management needs.
- Obtain a Prescription: If deemed necessary by the healthcare provider, they will prescribe fentanyl or an alternative treatment.
- Visit a Licensed Pharmacy: Take the prescription to a licensed pharmacy to have it filled.
FAQs
What is fentanyl used for?
- Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.
- This medication is not just for people with an opioid dependence or addiction.
- Here, patients can safely detox from drugs while under the supervision of medical professionals should any complications arise.
- Test kits that include strips and a special testing solution can cost anywhere between $25 to $40 each and are available online.
Fentanyl is typically used to treat severe pain, especially in individuals who are already tolerant to opioids.
Can fentanyl be prescribed for any type of pain?
Fentanyl is usually prescribed for specific, severe types of pain and not for chronic or mild pain without prior opioid use.
What should I do if I think I need fentanyl?
Consulting with a qualified healthcare professional is the best first step to address your concerns about pain management.
What are the dangers of misusing fentanyl?
Misuse can lead to respiratory depression, addiction, overdose, and even death due to its high potency.
Conclusion
Considering the question, how can I buy fentanyl, it’s essential to recognize the serious implications involved. Always prioritize safety and legality by consulting with a healthcare provider and following proper medical guidelines.
