Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is a potent painkiller that has gained increasing popularity in recent years. While it can be legally prescribed by doctors for medical purposes, there are growing concerns about its availability on the internet. In this article, we will delve into the question: Can you buy fentanyl online?
The Dark Side of Online Drug Marketplaces
Some people may also prefer to take an “upper” like cocaine or methamphetamine mixed with a “downer” like fentanyl for the combined effects. As part of that partnership, PNNL’s fentanyl handling and detection experts are helping assess the performance of detection equipment used by emergency responders. The work informs standards and tools for quickly detecting fentanyl and its analogs. Advances in both these areas aim to reduce the exposure of dangerous drugs to emergency responders. Lozenge, lollipop, tablet, and nasal spray versions soon followed, under such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. The ease and effectiveness of these user-friendly delivery methods led to abuse, and the fentanyl analog market was born.
Fentanyl Strips & Narcan Access
This multidisciplinary approach supports important national security missions, including the development, integration, and evaluation of methods to detect biomolecules such as illicit drugs. Unscrupulous scientists persist in exercising their craft, working in underground labs to manipulate fentanyl, isolate analogs, and create deadly combinations. The collection of hard-to-trace substances entering the market continues to kill users and sicken law enforcement as they battle the epidemic. 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. You can get fentanyl test strips for free at some community harm reduction centers. To test illicit drugs for fentanyl, dissolve some or all of the drug in water and dip the fentanyl test strip into the solution.
Online drug marketplaces have become a hotbed for the illegal sale of various substances, including fentanyl. These platforms operate on the dark web, making it challenging for authorities to track down and shut them down.
It is crucial to understand the risks and dangers associated with buying fentanyl online:
The compact, lightweight, and robust devices have simple push button controls and work by scanning. For illicit or dangerous substances such as fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, the screen turns red. Drug precursors or chemicals that can mask some narcotics’ Raman signals return a yellow or orange screen. In 2017, the President issued Executive Order 13784, establishing a Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. Many of the 45,000 drug-related deaths that year were determined to have resulted from abuse, addiction, and overdoses due to fentanyl.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing fentanyl without a legitimate prescription is illegal in most countries. If caught, individuals may face severe legal repercussions.
- Uncertain Quality: When buying drugs online, there is no guarantee of the product’s quality or authenticity. Illicitly obtained fentanyl may be mixed with other harmful substances, increasing the risk of overdose or adverse reactions.
- Hidden Identity: Sellers on online drug marketplaces often operate under pseudonyms, making it difficult to verify their credentials or trustworthiness. Without proper knowledge of the source, consumers expose themselves to significant danger.
- No Medical Supervision: Buying fentanyl online means bypassing medical professionals who would typically assess a patient’s condition and prescribe medication accordingly. This absence of supervision increases the risk of improper dosage and misuse.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I legally buy fentanyl online with a prescription?
Answer: Yes, with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, it is possible to purchase fentanyl legally online through authorized pharmacies. However, caution must be exercised to ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of the pharmacy.
Supporting Documents
2. Are there any safe alternatives to buying fentanyl online?
- The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department), CDC, and California Department of Public Health offer guidance on how to use fentanyl test strips.
- While all opioids can be deadly, fentanyl is especially dangerous because it is so strong—much stronger than heroin or morphine.
- The technology could complement or replace contact and canine-assist detection methods for drug screening used in mailrooms, airports, and shipping centers.
- Some drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA.
The market for illicitly manufactured fentanyl continues to change, and it can be found in combination with heroin, counterfeit pills and cocaine. Fentanyl is 50–100 times more potent than heroin, with a rapid onset of action and relatively short duration of effect [3]. In some cases, people who use drugs (PWUD) unknowingly consume fentanyl or are unaware of the ratio of fentanyl to other substances in what they consume, which puts them at greater risk of overdose. In North Carolina (NC), fentanyl-positive overdose deaths increased by 212% from 1490 deaths in 2019 to 3163 deaths in 2021 [4]. Taking illegally manufactured fentanyl is unsafe and can cause a fatal overdose. But it is very difficult to know whether illicit drugs contain fentanyl.
Answer: Yes, if you require pain management medication, consult your healthcare provider who can prescribe suitable alternatives or suggest other legal options available to you.
In King County, fentanyl-involved overdoses kill two people in our community every day. Nationwide, fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide and other accidents. Note that some non-opioids, such as cocaine, have been found to contain fentanyl (an opioid) in Denver. Therefore, DDPHE encourages anyone who uses illicit substances and/or may be in the position to respond to an overdose to carry naloxone, regardless if they intend to use an opioid. The video below describes how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone.
Stop Opioid Overdose
3. What are the signs of fentanyl overdose and how dangerous is it?
Answer: Signs of fentanyl overdose include slowed breathing, extreme drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, and loss of consciousness. Fentanyl is highly potent, and even small amounts can lead to fatal respiratory depression. Seeking immediate medical attention in case of suspected overdose is crucial.
4. How can one help combat the illegal online sale of fentanyl?
Answer: Reporting suspicious websites or activities related to the illegal sale of fentanyl to local law enforcement agencies or the appropriate regulatory bodies can contribute to combating this issue. Your prompt action may prevent harm to others.
In conclusion, while the internet offers convenience in many aspects of life, purchasing fentanyl online comes with significant risks and dangers. It is essential to prioritize your health and safety by obtaining medications legally, under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.
