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Understanding Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain management. It is similar to morphine but is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent. Due to its strength, fentanyl has become a significant concern due to the potential for addiction, overdose, and illegal distribution.
“As they’re progressing to fentanyl, they’re gonna have to use it more often in order to manage that withdrawal.” “It’s nice to not have to use your veins or not inject, and so a lot of people would prefer not to be doing that,” Kral said. “I think we’re going to see more and more people smoking fentanyl than injecting it.”
Can You Buy Fentanyl?
In Philadelphia, there are a few ways to get naloxone and test strips and learn to use them. The options, detailed below, include receiving them from our division, from our online partner NEXT Distro, from pharmacies, or from any of our community partners. Despite the number of overdoses Det. Cardinale has seen in the Valley, he believes the F.O.R.T. program is working. Last year, F.O.R.T responded to 84 overdoses; 34 resulted in death. As of this year, F.O.R.T reporting 22 overdoses in the Valley.
While fentanyl can be obtained legally through prescriptions from authorized healthcare providers, purchasing it without a prescription is illegal and extremely dangerous. Here are some important points to consider:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had more people in the Bay Area die from fentanyl than COVID-19, so fentanyl overdoses are really impacting our community. There are a lot of factors but one reason is that it can be made cheaply. It’s also often made as a white powder, which can easily be mixed or “cut” with other drugs like heroin to make them stronger, allowing people who sell drugs to make more profit. 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.
People experiencing an opioid overdose will not respond if you try to talk to them, yell, or shake them. To do this, make a fist, and press your pointed knuckles into the sternum (the flat bone in the center of the chest), moving up and down with pressure. Do not inflict pain in other ways such as hitting – a sternum rub is the most effective method and does not cause additional harm. FTS may result in false positives or false negatives from manufacturing errors or if you do not follow instructions like diluting more when testing for the type of drug you are using.
Research has shown that people who use fentanyl test strips often make changes that can keep them safer. In one study from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 70% of participants said they would change their behavior if they knew the drugs they used contained fentanyl. These agencies are receiving fentanyl test strip packages directly from the manufacturer. Each package contains one fentanyl test strip and instructions on how to use it. The participating organizations are handing out the packages at no cost.
The amount of water needed depends on the specific drug being tested. They were originally designed to check urine for fentanyl, but harm reduction advocates found that the tests could work when a little bit of the product was mixed with water. Naloxone is available at pharmacies across the state at low or no cost; naloxone kits and training sessions are available upon request. The biggest risk factor is that people are often exposed unintentionally and don’t know to take the proper precautions to use this drug safely. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger than fentanyl, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone if someone is overdosing. Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that has been used in clinical settings since 1968.
Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Naloxone is an FDA- approved medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. This means it can block opioid receptors in the body and reverse an opioid overdose for minutes.
Colorado Laws Offer Protection In Cases Of Drug Overdose
- Fentanyl is often prescribed for severe pain management, particularly in cases of cancer, post-operative pain, or chronic pain conditions.
- Buying fentanyl from unauthorized sources, including online dealers or illicit drug markets, is illegal and poses serious health risks.
- Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be mixed with other drugs, leading to an increased risk of overdose.
Legitimate Sources of Fentanyl
If you or someone you know is in need of fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, follow these guidelines:
- Consult with a healthcare provider who can assess your condition and determine if fentanyl is appropriate.
- If prescribed, obtain the medication from a licensed pharmacy.
- Follow the doctor’s instructions regarding dosage and administration strictly.
Risks Associated with Illegally Obtained Fentanyl
Purchasing fentanyl outside of legal channels comes with various dangers, including:
- Overdose Risk: Even a small amount can be lethal, especially if mixed with other substances.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing or possessing fentanyl without a prescription can lead to serious legal ramifications.
- Health Complications: Illicit versions of fentanyl may include harmful additives, increasing the risk of adverse health effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can you buy fentanyl online?
A: Buying fentanyl online without a prescription is illegal and dangerous. Always consult a medical professional.
Q: What should I do if I suspect someone is abusing fentanyl?
- A new study co-led by a Rhode Island epidemiologist found that a simple drug testing strip — similar to a home pregnancy test — accurately detected the potentially deadly opioid fentanyl in street drug samples.
- By now, you may know a family shattered by the opioid epidemic.
- Xylazine is increasingly added to other drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl to enhance the effect or increase street value.
- ASAP Market showing a listing of fentanyl, despite supposedly banning the sale of the drug.
- You can read all about fentanyl test strips and how to use them correctly here.
- Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions.
A: It’s crucial to encourage them to seek professional help and support them in finding addiction treatment resources.
Q: How can I tell if fentanyl is present in a drug?
A: Testing strips are available to detect fentanyl in substances, but the best precaution is to avoid illicit drugs entirely.
Conclusion
The question of can you buy fentanyl underscores the importance of understanding its legal and health implications. Always prioritize safety and legality by accessing fentanyl only through legitimate medical channels to mitigate risks.
