Content
Crisis Services
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Availability
Of course, the safest option is not to use illegal drugs at all or to seek out a drug addiction treatment program if you need help stopping. But if you’re going to use street drugs, testing them for fentanyl first might save your life. The program not only educates parents and students but also school officials including administrators and teachers. FOX26 News confirmed with Fresno Unified School District beginning this year all middle and high schools will carry Narcan. The reversing agent is administered through a nasal spray reversing the effect of an opioid overdose, in particular, fentanyl.
Implications for overdose prevention and initiating treatment with medications for opioid use disorder are described. In 2020, over 80% of the fentanyl police confiscated with in tablet form. Police evidence that looked like black tar heroin actually was heroin in 95% of cases, suggesting that fentanyl was rarely in “heroin” in 2020. If you are around people or situations where an opioid overdose may occur, such as someone in your family uses opioids, you can become trained on how to administer it and have some on hand in case there is an overdose. Free naloxone nasal spray is being provided to individuals in the community and first responders to help combat the opioid crisis and reverse overdose deaths.
Ask your health care professional these questions when getting a prescription for an opioid. Fentanyl test strips can reduce the risk of a fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl test strips are used to detect small amounts of fentanyl and prevent accidental overdose.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, often in patients who are dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery. However, due to its potency, fentanyl also poses significant risks of overdose and death.
ASAP Market is not the only dark web marketplace to – supposedly inadvertently – facilitate the fentanyl trade. The Investigator graph below shows that some vendors are active on a number of other dark markets, including Incognito, Vice City Market and World Market. This cluster of vendors receives fentanyl from a supplier based in Shanghai, China.
Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies, like Percocet and Xanax. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors.
- They can be used to sample street drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and illegally obtained prescription pills.
- The Senate investigator said Chinese authorities might have been lax in shutting down these websites in the past because opioid overdoses are not as big of a problem in that country as they are in the United States.
- One of the deadliest street drugs, illicit fentanyl, has transitioned from a hidden killer that people often hope to avoid to one that many drug users now seek out on its own.
- It is the primary driver of overdose mortality in Massachusetts and across the nation.
- Fentanyl moving through the street market comes in a powder form and can be injected, smoked, or snorted.
While all opioids can be deadly, fentanyl is especially dangerous because it is so strong—much stronger than heroin or morphine. Naloxone nasal spray is a life-saving drug, if administered in time, and can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses. Naloxone is typically administered through a nasal spray, but it also comes in an injectable from.
What is Fentanyl?
Peer-based harm reduction programs have successfully reached Black communities in Baltimore and this approach may help reach Black and Latino people who use drugs (Owczarzak et al., 2020). Harm reduction messaging should be targeted to drug type and route of administration. This exploratory research was based on a small sample size and results cannot be generalized to larger groups of people who use stimulants. The sample itself was unique in that all participants were formerly incarcerated, people of color, and living with HIV.
Fentanyl is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. While it has legitimate medical uses, it is also associated with a high potential for addiction and abuse.
Can I Buy Fentanyl?
The question can I buy fentanyl? brings up significant legal and health concerns. It is illegal to purchase fentanyl without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
- Legal Status: In many countries, including the United States, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This means it is available only by prescription.
- Illegal Purchase: Buying fentanyl from illegal sources, including the dark web or on the street, is dangerous and unlawful.
- Medically Indicated Use: If you believe you need fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, consult your healthcare provider.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
Purchasing fentanyl outside of legal channels carries numerous risks:
- Health Risks: Illegally obtained fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Legal Penalties: Being caught in possession of fentanyl without a prescription can lead to severe legal ramifications.
- Addiction Potential: The risk of developing an addiction or dependency is much higher when used without medical supervision.
FAQs About Fentanyl
Q: What forms does fentanyl come in?
A: Fentanyl is available in several forms, including patches, lozenges, and injectable solutions.
Q: How is fentanyl prescribed?
A: A doctor assesses the patient’s pain levels and medical history before prescribing fentanyl, ensuring it is necessary and appropriate.
Q: What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
A: Call emergency services immediately and, if available, administer naloxone (Narcan) if an overdose is suspected.
Conclusion
In summary, the question can I buy fentanyl? leads to complex issues surrounding legality, health, and safety. It is crucial to only obtain fentanyl through a legitimate prescription for medical purposes and to prioritize safety and legal considerations in any discussions about opioid use.
