Heroin And Opioid Awareness
The lack of oxygen eventually inhibits the function of other vital organs including the heart and the brain. There are a few varieties of fentanyl – injectable for using in the operating room and lollipops and patches. The latter two are used for pain management – patches for chronic pain and lollipops for those with severe pain, such as bone cancer with metastases. “The federal government can, and must, act to shore up our defenses against this deadly drug and help save lives,” Portman said. Customs and Border Protection for failing to recognize and prepare for the increase in international shipments.
The Chicago Recovery Alliance (CRA)
Can You Buy Fentanyl Online?
While none of these individuals were formally affiliated with the UW, they were all part of our larger community, had potential, had loved ones and were cared about. The New York Times’ writing supports our February 2022 brief about fentanyl and our ongoing research on this problem set. It’s important to make sure people know about fentanyl test strips because, if they’re buying a substance off the streets of Philly, they should assume there is fentanyl present in it. It only takes a few minutes to use fentanyl test strips so people can make informed choices for safer use. One man from West Philly even shared that he overdosed from taking a pill he thought was Percocet but happened to contain fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is often prescribed for severe pain management, especially in patients with chronic pain or those recovering from surgery. However, its rising prevalence has also led to significant concerns regarding misuse and illicit distribution.
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. It is not possible to give so much naloxone so as to harm a person. Be sure they don’t aspirate (inhale) the vomit by putting them in the recovery position if they’re unconscious. If the person gets too much naloxone, try to explain to them that their withdrawal symptoms will begin to fade in a half hour or so. This can dangerously slow or stop breathing which may lead to death.
The fentanyl crisis will continue to impact minors as social media platforms fail to flag content about fentanyl and other hardcore drugs. The failure to flag the imagery and contact information of drug dealers online will lead to more youth having exposure to the drug and potentially finding ways to purchase it. Additionally, with the fentanyl crisis impacting communities nationwide, we assess that there will be more significant initiatives to educate about the use of fentanyl.
The Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
Despite the drop in fentanyl shipments from China, nimble Chinese vendors have developed new distribution strategies by producing and selling the precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration notes that the detected amount of Chinese fentanyl shipments has dropped dramatically since the ban. For more information on how to use Fentanyl safely, check out these Fentanyl Use & Overdose Prevention Tips. Fentanyl, a variety of narcotics, ingredients to make drugs and just about anything else was all just a few Bitcoins away. He did it through what’s called the “Dark Web” and it took him all of ten minutes to show how to send pure fentanyl and just about any other drug to our front door. “The best thing my husband ever did for me was ask for a divorce,” Greenwell said.
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. Because there is no official oversight or quality control, these counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, with none of the promised drug. Fentanyl is sometimes added to drugs to increase a person’s high and can be disguised as heroin, cocaine, meth, marijuana, and counterfeit (fake) prescription pills. As a result, many people believe that they are purchasing a certain drug and do not know that they are buying fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. A dose as small as 1-2 grains (2mg) of salt can cause a fatal overdose. In Georgia, from 2019 to 2021, drug overdose deaths increased by 61%, and fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 230%.
While the internet provides a vast marketplace for various products, purchasing fentanyl online poses numerous risks, including:
Search terms included fentanyl, common IMF analogs, and common misspellings. Data extraction was performed using PRAW (Python Reddit API Wrapper), an automated program that uses Python to extract Reddit post text. Reddit posts were collected from January 1, 2021, up to the time of data collection on July 28, 2021, resulting in a total of 6,552 posts containing 1 or more IMF search terms. The main Reddit posts were collected and analyzed; no comments/replies were collected. For qualitative analysis, duplicate content (i.e., cross-posting to more than one subreddit) was removed, resulting in a sample of 4,573 posts. Using Stata 15.1 software, a random subsample of 500 was selected for thematic analysis.
- Illegal Activity: Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in most jurisdictions.
- Unregulated Sources: Many online sellers do not adhere to safety standards, leading to counterfeit or contaminated products.
- Health Risks: Misuse of fentanyl can cause severe health complications, including overdose and death.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in the purchase of illicit substances can result in legal actions against the buyer.
In 2020, there were two overdose deaths where xylazine was identified in the toxicology report, followed by nine in 2021 and nine (so far) in 2022. The Oregon Health Authority expects to see a significant increase in xylazine-involved overdose deaths in 2023 once the data are finalized. So far, all overdose deaths in Oregon where xylazine was present also involved fentanyl. Since xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone and other opioid antagonists do not reverse xylazine’s effect on breathing in the event of an overdose. Xylazine mixed with fentanyl or other opioids can increase the chances for fatal overdose because both drugs slow and stop breathing. Oregon is experiencing an influx of fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills.
How Fentanyl is Sold Online
Despite the dangers, some websites may claim to sell fentanyl online. Here’s how they might operate:
- Dark Web Transactions: Some vendors operate on the dark web, requiring special software to access their hidden marketplaces.
- Pharmaceutical Websites: Certain sites may pose as legitimate pharmacies but sell fentanyl without proper prescriptions.
- Peer-to-Peer Platforms: Individuals may sell fentanyl through social media or direct messaging apps.
Legal Access to Fentanyl
For those who need fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, the proper route involves:
- Consultation with a Healthcare Provider: Always speak to a doctor about pain management options.
- Obtaining a Prescription: If deemed necessary, a prescription can be provided for legitimate use.
- Purchasing from Licensed Pharmacies: Only buy fentanyl from pharmacies that require a prescription and are regulated by health authorities.
FAQs
- Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is driving much of the increase in overdoses seen in Minnesota and nationally in recent years.
- A potentially lethal dose of fentanyl can be as little as two milligrams, equivalent in size to a few grains of salt.
- A prescription is no longer required to obtain nasal naloxone spray.
- He progressed to prescription painkillers, and then, when they became too expensive, to heroin.
Can you legally buy fentanyl online?
No, purchasing fentanyl without a valid prescription is illegal in many countries.
What should I do if I suspect someone is misusing fentanyl?
If you believe someone is misusing fentanyl or any opioid, seek help from a healthcare professional or contact local authorities.
What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Signs of an overdose can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Pinpoint pupils
Conclusion
In summary, while the question can you buy fentanyl online may arise out of necessity or desperation, the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. It is crucial to approach fentanyl with caution, seeking appropriate medical advice and accessing medications through lawful channels.
