If You Choose To Use Drugs,
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Sources
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, often associated with cancer or major surgery. However, it is also associated with a significant risk of addiction and overdose when misused. As concerns about misuse escalate, many people ask, “where do you buy fentanyl?”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there is help available. Look for information at Indiana Addiction Treatment or ask your healthcare provider for treatment and referral services available in your area. 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.
You can poison yourself if you change the medicine to get a stronger or faster effect. I probably would be skitzing [scared] thinking I was going to get in trouble. If they were to find the fentanyl on me or something like that. When I went to my probation officer – this was like the last time before I turned myself in – it popped up that I had fentanyl, cocaine and amphetamines. So, it made sense cause one day I smoked out the pipe and then all of a sudden, I was high and I’m dipping, just want to go to sleep.
Allowing federal grant programs to purchase FTS helps create opportunities for people who use drugs to interact with community-based organizations who may also offer mental health and behavioral services a person needs. The number of overdose deaths in the U.S. from synthetic opioids doubled from 2016 to 2017. In 2018, 744 people from Washington died from an opioid related overdose and 198 of these deaths included fentanyl. End OverdoseThe organization provides training and tools to treat people who overdose and prevent death through education, medical intervention and public awareness. It sells packages of five fentanyl testing strips online for $7.99.
Naloxone can reverse any opioid overdose, whether it’s from heroin, fentanyl, or analogues like carfentanil. If you don’t have naloxone on hand during an opioid overdose, rescue breaths are essential. More than 80 per cent of drugs sold as heroin on the streets of Vancouver don’t contain any heroin at all, while nearly all of them contain the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. This fourth wave is particularly concerning because the demographic profile of opioid overdose deaths without the presence of stimulants differs from deaths from opioid overdose deaths involving both opioids and stimulants. Significantly, non-Latino Black people are more likely to die from an opioid overdose when stimulants are also present (Barocas et al., 2019). Fentanyl dominates the heroin supply in many regions of the United States.
- There are a few ways to test for fentanyl in a drug sample, but the easiest (and only do-it-yourself) option is to use a test strip.
- Chest rigidity has been seen in some fentanyl-related overdoses and this causes the individual to stop breathing immediately.
- For example, a Fentanyl-laced Percocet M-30 pill can cost the buyer between $20 to $30 a pill.
- Narcan, the most common form of Naloxone is absorbed through mucous membranes, which means it can be easily administered as a nasal spray and does not require active breathing to work.
The Legal Purchase of Fentanyl
Xylazine test strips (XTS) are small strips of paper that can be placed within a personal sample of drugs to detect the presence of xylazine. Such strips may be used to inform decisions about drug use practices; for example, upon receiving a positive test result, an individual may opt to not use the drugs or use them in a less risky manner. Xylazine may be mixed in with other illicit drugs for several reasons, including increasing drug weight or adding an effect. People who use drugs may not be aware of the presence of xylazine in their drug product. There are limitations to xylazine and fentanyl drug checking strips because illicit drugs are not evenly mixed. This means that fentanyl and/or xylazine may still be present in a drug product, even when a portion of the product tested with drug checking strips does not react.
In most countries, fentanyl can only be acquired legally through a prescription. Healthcare providers may prescribe fentanyl patches, lozenges, or injectable forms for legitimate medical purposes.
We can share suggestions on how to talk about test strips with your loved one and other ways to reduce risks. Test strips are convenient and easy to use, taking just a few minutes to get results. The information on this site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. This site was developed by the UW Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI). King County worked with Rescue Agency to create Laced & Lethal, a campaign to educate youth about fentanyl, and how to respond to overdose. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
To legally obtain fentanyl, individuals must:
In states where they are considered illegal, fentanyl test strips are considered drug paraphernalia. In some states test strips are legal only if they are acquired from harm reduction programs or syringe exchange programs. A small amount of the heroin, cocaine or other substance one wishes to test, about the size of half a grain of rice, is dissolved in as little as 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of water. 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. Many substances are laced with other substances, like fentanyl.
- Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
- Obtain a prescription.
- Fill the prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
Illicit Sources of Fentanyl
Unfortunately, fentanyl is also found in illegal markets. This can happen when:
- Individuals obtain it through illegal drug trafficking.
- It is produced and sold without regulatory oversight.
Buying fentanyl from these sources poses severe risks, including:
- High likelihood of overdose due to dosing uncertainty.
- Contamination with other harmful substances.
- Legal consequences related to drug possession.
Risks Associated with Buying Fentanyl Illegally
The illegal purchase of fentanyl can lead to life-threatening situations, including:
- overdose leading to respiratory failure.
- Development of addiction due to misuse.
- Increased chances of encountering other synthetic opioids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I buy fentanyl without a prescription?
No, fentanyl should only be purchased with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
2. What are the side effects of fentanyl?
Common side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Respiratory depression in cases of overdose
3. How can I report illegal fentanyl sales?
Individuals can report illegal sales to local law enforcement or drug enforcement agencies.
Conclusion
Understanding where do you buy fentanyl is critical for both safety and compliance with the law. Legal channels ensure that fentanyl is used appropriately and responsibly, while illegal purchases significantly increase health risks and potential legal ramifications.