Harm Reduction Saves Lives
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Availability
People all over Wisconsin are unknowingly taking drugs containing fentanyl and overdosing because the drugs look identical to what they are used to taking. Get the facts on fentanyl to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones. The POD is open for one hour, but participants should plan for only a 15-minute window to complete the training during this hour. “Because fentanyl is so powerful, patients are having greater physical withdrawals,” Ward said. “We’ve seen an uptick in the amount of medication we’ve had to prescribe for some patients just to keep them stable.”
Participants primarily reported using crack cocaine or crack cocaine/heroin, while some used methamphetamine, powder cocaine, or prescription opioids. All were aware of fentanyl and believed they were susceptible to a fentanyl overdose as stimulant users. Participants perceived benefits of using test strips but reported barriers, such as the unpredictable nature of buying or using drugs and not wanting to delay drug use to test. Structural conditions impeded participant actions to reduce overdose risk if their drugs tested positive for fentanyl. If used correctly, fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of the most common types of fentanyl in street drugs and pills.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is primarily used for pain management and is known for its potency, being 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Given its strength, many individuals find themselves asking, “Can I buy fentanyl?” This question highlights significant concerns regarding safety, legality, and health implications.
This process is rarely instantaneous; respiratory depression can last over the course of minutes to several hours after the drug was used until a person stops breathing completely. This means there is usually time to intervene between when an overdose starts and the person’s death. Finally, fentanyl test strips are legal to possess in Colorado, and they are excluded from the definition of drug paraphernalia. 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.
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that were originally created to detect fentanyl in urine. But you can also use them to see whether a drug contains fentanyl in just a few minutes. The Washington State Standard is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet that provides original reporting, analysis and commentary on Washington state government and politics. We seek to keep you informed about Washington’s most pressing issues, the decisions elected leaders are making, how they are spending tax dollars and who is influencing public policy. FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — More and more young fentanyl users are turning to social media apps for their next Fentanyl high.
Over that time period, he received 15 packages through the Postal Service on dates that closely corresponded to payments he made to an online seller. He died in early 2017 from “acute fentanyl intoxication.” He had received a package from an online seller just 30 days before his death. Stay with the person and continue to monitor their breathing and alertness. The first is that many dark web markets – though outwardly disassociating themselves from the fentanyl trade – continue to be either a willing or inadvertent intermediary for facilitating the purchase and sale of deadly opioids.
- Fentanyl might not be everywhere evenly in your product, so if you only test a portion of your supply you might end up missing it.
- The shadowy addition of fentanyl to the illegal drug supply sent deadly overdoses skyrocketing among users who were unaware they were using such a strong drug.
- However, it doesn’t work every time, and the effects of the naloxone may not last as long as the opioid.
- A negative result does not guarantee that your drug sample is free from all synthetic opioids.
Legality of Fentanyl Purchases
Before considering any acquisition of fentanyl, it is critical to understand its legal status:
- Prescription Requirement: In most countries, fentanyl is classified as a controlled substance.
- Medical Use: It is legally available only through a doctor’s prescription, primarily for patients undergoing intense pain management, such as those with cancer.
- Illegal Market: Purchasing fentanyl outside of legal channels is illegal and poses significant health risks.
It can also be found in pills from nonmedical sources, pressed into counterfeit pills to look like prescription painkillers or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax® Klonopin®, and Valium®. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is short acting and cannot be seen, tasted or smelled when mixed into other drugs. 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. The Substance Use Advisory Group is working toward preventing fatal overdoses, destigmatizing substance use disorders (SUDs), promoting harm reduction and supporting affected individuals into treatment and recovery.
This Executive Order reinforces the City’s commitment to saving lives through harm reduction amid the ongoing opioid epidemic. UC San Francisco Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in Clinical Pharmacy Tessa Rife-Pennington, PharmD, BCGP, works at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and with UCSF’s Addiction Research Program. In 2019, UCSF funded a successful pilot project to distribute fentanyl test strips to San Francisco veterans at the center.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl
Engaging in the purchase of fentanyl through unauthorized means can lead to numerous risks:
- Health Risks: Misuse can result in fatal overdoses, especially when the authenticity and dosage of the drug cannot be verified.
- Legal Consequences: Engaging with the illegal drug market can lead to severe legal penalties including fines and imprisonment.
- Quality and Purity: Illegally obtained substances may be laced with other harmful drugs, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Alternatives to Fentanyl
If pain management is a concern, consider options that may be safer and legally available:
- Consult a Medical Professional: Seek a thorough evaluation and recommendations tailored to the individual’s health needs.
- Explore Other Medications: There are various pain management strategies, including non-opioid medications.
- Physical Therapy: Non-pharmacological treatments may provide relief without the risks associated with opioids.
FAQs About Fentanyl
Q: Is it safe to buy fentanyl online?
A: No, buying fentanyl online without a prescription is illegal and highly dangerous.
Q: What should I do if I have a prescription for fentanyl?
A: Fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy and follow your doctor’s guidance strictly.
Q: What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?
A: Symptoms include severe drowsiness, slow breathing, and loss of consciousness. Emergency help should be sought immediately.
In conclusion, while the question “Can I buy fentanyl?” may arise, it’s essential to prioritize safety and legality. Always consult healthcare professionals and adhere to legal guidelines regarding controlled substances.
