Community Members
Understanding Fentanyl
Harm Reduction In The News
Nearly two-thirds of people who use drugs surveyed for this project had experienced an opioid overdose at least once, and 8 in 10 attributed their last overdose to fentanyl. While California has made some positive strides in the fight against opioids (the latest data show that prescriptions in the state are down), deaths from one particularly powerful opioid, fentanyl, are up. As fentanyl floods the illicit drug market, the price for a pill has dropped substantially in the past few years. Offers support for people seeking recovery from drugs including opioids. 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 indicates that some vendors are directly involved in the manufacturing and supply, as well as onward distribution. ASAP Market showing a listing of fentanyl, despite supposedly banning the sale of the drug. It costs Jess Tilley $1 to purchase a fentanyl test strip—a small sum, until you consider that she’s buying them by the hundreds.
Only take prescribed medicines purchased over-the-counter at a pharmacy. Fentanyl test strips can identify the presence of fentanyl in unregulated drugs. They can be used to test injectable drugs, powders, and pills. We are supported through donations and grants from organizations who partner with us to prevent accidental fentanyl overdoses. You can still get fentanyl test strips shipped to you if you are not located in Rhode Island.
Additional fentanyl test kits and doses of NARCAN® will be purchased and distributed with funds made available from the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement funds. “It’s stronger than your willpower,” he said of the drug’s pull. He says he has never seen anything like the boom in fentanyl cases here in the San Joaquin Valley. For the last two years, he has been a part of the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team or F.O.R.T. with the DEA Task Force. According to the Department of Justice, F.O.R.T. is a multiagency team composed of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Fresno Police Department.
The tests also check for many variations of fentanyl known as analogs. You can’t see, smell or taste fentanyl when it’s mixed with other drugs. If you use heroin, cocaine or crack—even rarely—you’re at risk of a fentanyl-involved overdose. Allowing users to test their drugs does not encourage or condone illegal drug use, but it does save lives and provides a chance for substance use disorder treatment and recovery, O’Neal said. Around them, a few people openly injected dope, as an occasional pedestrian threaded past.
Consider carrying Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses fentanyl overdoses. On Saturday, June 28, Florida joined more than 30 other states that have moved to decriminalize Fentanyl test strips, in what many advocates say is a long overdue step toward fighting drug overdoses. The bill, known as Senate Bill 164, was part of a group of 8 other bills sent to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
It is a temporary treatment – so you should still call 911 if someone responds to the medicine. Education about and access to harm-reduction materials like Fentanyl test strips change the behaviors of people who use drugs, therefore reducing risk. Measures like this are vital to fighting the Opioid epidemic, which in 2021 alone claimed over 8,200 Floridians. Deaths from accidental drug overdoses in Florida have increased by nearly 31% since 2019.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically to treat severe pain, especially after surgery or for cancer-related pain. However, its potency has led to increasing concerns about its misuse and the associated risks of addiction and overdose.
Where Do You Buy Fentanyl?
When it comes to the question of where do you buy fentanyl, it is essential to emphasize that obtaining this substance legally should only occur through a licensed healthcare provider or pharmacy. Here are the legitimate avenues:
- Prescription from a Doctor: Fentanyl can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional for appropriate medical conditions.
- Licensed Pharmacies: Once prescribed, you can obtain fentanyl patches, tablets, or injections from a pharmacy that is licensed to dispense this medication.
- Hospital Pharmacies: In cases of inpatient care, fentanyl may be administered directly in a hospital setting.
- Nearly 40 states have legalized their use, according to the Network for Public Health Law.
- Fentanyl test strips are easy to use tests to see if your drugs have some types of fentanyl in them.
- Centre on Substance Abuse (BCCSU) has revealed that nearly all substances labeled as heroin sold in Vancouver contain the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl.
- More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
It is crucial to never seek out fentanyl from unauthorized sources, as this is illegal and extremely dangerous.
The Dangers of Illegally Obtaining Fentanyl
Purchasing fentanyl outside legal and medical channels is fraught with peril:
- Illegal Drug Markets: Purchasing from illicit sources can expose individuals to counterfeit drugs that may contain lethal doses.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in the illegal sale or purchase of fentanyl can lead to serious legal repercussions, including fines and imprisonment.
- Health Risks: The incorrect use of fentanyl, particularly in unregulated doses, significantly increases the risk of overdose and death.
FAQs About Fentanyl
What is fentanyl used for?
Fentanyl is primarily used for pain management, particularly in patients who are experiencing severe pain that cannot be controlled with less potent opioids.
How dangerous is fentanyl?
The strength of fentanyl makes it highly addictive, and even a small amount can lead to overdose. The risk is particularly high with illicit fentanyl.
Can you tell if street fentanyl is safe?
There is no way to verify the safety or purity of fentanyl obtained illegally. It can be mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
What should you do if you suspect an overdose?
If you suspect someone is experiencing a fentanyl overdose, call emergency services immediately. Administering Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse the effects temporarily.
Conclusion
Understanding where do you buy fentanyl legally underscores the importance of safety and legality in medication management. Seeking fentanyl should only be done through responsible and professional healthcare channels to avoid the dangers associated with illegal use.
