This makes it impossible for someone to know the strength or the mixture of substances in their drug product. IMF is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US, including Oregon. Illicit fentanyl, primarily manufactured in foreign clandestine labs and smuggled into the United States through Mexico, is being distributed across the country and sold on the illegal drug market. Fentanyl is being mixed in with other illicit drugs to increase the potency of the drug, sold as powders and nasal sprays and increasingly pressed into pills made to look like legitimate prescription opioids.
Xylazine And Opioid Overdoses Spur Government Action
If you are unable to seek medical assistance, and can not stay with the person yourself, ensure they are in the company of an individual who is aware of the situation and has more naloxone. Use this state-based locator to find a pharmacy, clinic, health department, or community based organization in your area that provides naloxone distribution. We suggest calling ahead to confirm inventory and in the case of pharmacy access, request information about co-pay. In his order, the president directed ICE to increase the number of Border Enforcement Task Forces (BEST), a primary resource utilized to attack this crisis. This may seem harmless, but when an individual is searching to buy a drug, the platform will deliver more drug-related ads, pages, and hashtags to a user’s feed, further enabling the illicit activity.
Understanding Fentanyl: A Dangerous Substance
Xylazine may be mixed in with other illicit drugs for several reasons, including increasing drug weight or adding an effect. People who use drugs may not be aware of the presence of xylazine in their drug product. There are limitations to xylazine and fentanyl drug checking strips because illicit drugs are not evenly mixed. This means that fentanyl and/or xylazine may still be present in a drug product, even when a portion of the product tested with drug checking strips does not react. This is why it’s best to assume that all drugs not prescribed and handed to you by a pharmacist are mixed with fentanyl, xylazine, or other drugs.
“You’re getting more bang for your buck,” said Sim, who bought his first order of fentanyl at age 19. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. Grace Deng joined the Washington State Standard shortly after graduating from Northwestern University in June 2023.
However, in the majority of counterfeit drugs, it isn’t lacing; it is substitution. This means the illicit manufacturers are pressing a tablet to look like an oxycodone tablet, but it has no oxycodone – it only has lactose and fentanyl. People think it’s oxycodone, but it’s harder to get oxycodone on the black market than it is to get the fentanyl precursor. In the 1960s, Janssen Pharmaceutica (now part of Johnson & Johnson) created fentanyl – 50 times more potent than heroin and shorter acting, so it had really good use, they believed, for surgery. FDA agreed, and it was approved for use in surgical settings, where it has been used very successfully for decades. Under certain circumstances, you want fentanyl around, provided it is controlled and used by someone highly trained like an anesthesiologist.
Individual medical providers who prescribed opioids without a legitimate medical purpose, or over-prescribed opioids to individuals, have also faced legal consequences. The Opioid Settlement Funds recently distributed to all counties and state jurisdictions that applied and will continue to be distributed over the next two decades in an effort at restitution. Our greatest immediate need is to support high-risk populations across the county. This includes the unsheltered all over the county as well as zip-codes with disparities in social determinants of health. The long-term need is to increase awareness in parents and youth regarding the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. We host community events, such as the ‘Facing Down Fentanyl,’ event at VCOE.
Another factor determining availability and price is ease of access. With different parts of the world having a wide variety of trade and postal service regulations, fentanyl prices will increase and decrease based on each of these and the ability for suppliers to navigate them. As technology continues to advance, the illicit drug trade advances with it. Unlike in years past, the vast majority of wholesale drug transactions involving fentanyl are online. Utilizing “dark web” drug markets, drug dealers are able to purchase large quantities of fentanyl directly from international manufacturers and have it shipped directly to themselves.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used medically to treat severe pain, typically in patients who are dealing with chronic pain or recovering from major surgeries. However, it is highly potent, approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, which raises significant concerns when misused.
The Risks of Purchasing Fentanyl Online
When considering the question can I buy fentanyl online, it’s crucial to understand the associated risks:
- Legal Issues: In many countries, purchasing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal.
- Health Risks: Online purchases may lead to receiving counterfeit drugs that could be even more dangerous.
- Quality Control: Medications bought online may not meet safety or quality standards.
- Our Prevention efforts are numerous, including outreach teams that are present in the community at health fairs and events throughout the year, distributing information about resources and naloxone kits.
- U.S. law enforcement acknowledged struggling to curb this online fentanyl marketplace, in part because many of the transactions are encrypted.
- Although studies have not examined the effect of training on pharmacy FTS sales, parallels may be drawn with pharmacy-based naloxone distribution.
Where Fentanyl is Prescribed
In authorized medical settings, fentanyl is prescribed under strict regulations. Prescriptions are usually issued in cases such as:
- Cancer-related pain management
- Post-operative pain control
- Pain for patients with opioid tolerance
Identifying Legitimate Sources
If fentanyl is medically necessary, it should be prescribed by a qualified healthcare provider. Legitimate channels include:
- Doctor’s Prescription: Always consult with a healthcare provider.
- Licensed Pharmacies: Fill prescriptions at licensed and regulated pharmacies.
Consequences of Misuse
The misuse of fentanyl, especially when obtained through illegitimate channels, can lead to severe consequences:
- Addiction: Misuse can quickly lead to dependency.
- Overdose: Due to its potency, overdosing is a significant risk.
- Legal Repercussions: Possession of illicit fentanyl can lead to serious legal consequences.
FAQs
Can I buy fentanyl online safely?
The safest way to obtain fentanyl is through a prescription from a licensed medical professional, filled at a reputable pharmacy.
What should I do if I have pain and need medication?
Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss your pain management options, which may include prescription medications, therapies, or alternative treatments.
What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?
Signs of overdose may include slow or difficult breathing, extreme drowsiness, or inability to wake up. Immediate medical attention is crucial in such cases.
Is there a safe way to manage chronic pain without fentanyl?
There are various methods to manage chronic pain, including physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and non-opioid medications. Discuss these options with your healthcare provider.
In conclusion, while the question can I buy fentanyl online may arise, it is essential to prioritize safety and legality by seeking legitimate medical help. The dangers associated with purchasing fentanyl outside of proper medical channels can be severe and often life-threatening.
