Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Small variations in the quantity or quality of fentanyl in a fake prescription pill can accidentally create a lethal dosage. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of drug poisoning deaths in the United States.
Understanding Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain management, particularly in patients with severe pain or after surgery. However, due to its potency, it also has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Never use alone, but if you must, have someone check on you. Talk to friends and family about what to do if you overdose. Delaware’s Good Samaritan Law offers criminal and civil protection for individuals acting in good faith to assist someone who has overdosed on drugs or alcohol. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl.
Fentanyl test strips may not be able to detect all forms of illicit fentanyl and they cannot tell you how much fentanyl may be present. There can also be false positives (showing that fentanyl is present when it really isn’t). The process of testing methamphetamine is different than testing opioids and uses more water. 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.
Test strips provide people the ability to identify if fentanyl is in their drug supply. Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that detect the presence of fentanyl in different forms and within different drugs. Based upon the evidence-based effectiveness of fentanyl test strips in reducing overdoses, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association endorse the use of test trips. HHSC is committed to addressing the opioid crisis and protecting the health and safety of all Texans. The Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) is a public health initiative operated by HHSC through federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills, falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills, and killing unsuspecting Texans, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
We also investigated whether people who use drugs would be interested in testing for fentanyl in order to protect themselves. Access this directory of Washington State syringe exchange programs. Please note that all syringe exchange programs also provide overdose prevention and response training and naloxone distribution. At Huntington Health, an affiliate of Cedars-Sinai, healthcare workers are trying to change that.
So in places like Tijuana or Ciudad Juárez, fentanyl is deeply spreading and spread already across local drug markets. And certainly what we see with drug groups historically and (inaudible) today is that they often pay their local dealers, they often pay their allies, their partners in kind. They find it much more convenient to pay in drugs rather than to pay in cash. This has set off a major methamphetamine epidemic in Mexico and this is likely why we are seeing fentanyl spreading significantly in northern Mexico.
The pilot paved the way for similar projects at other Veteran Affairs’ centers nationwide. False positives may occur, the strips do not tell you how much fentanyl is present or how potent it is, and not all states consider the strips legal. Even if your drugs test negative for fentanyl, use caution and follow the harm reduction steps (see below) if you are using drugs for recreational purposes. It was more effective using words like “Percs” or “Percocet “or “Oxy’s” rather than opioids or opiates.
Risks and Dangers
Before delving into how to buy fentanyl, it’s crucial to understand the associated risks:
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- Overdose potential: Fentanyl is significantly stronger than other opioids, making it easy to overdose.
- Addiction: The risk of developing a dependency on fentanyl is high.
- Legal implications: Possessing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions.
- Contaminated supply: Illegally obtained fentanyl can be mixed with other substances, increasing overdose risk.
How to Buy Fentanyl Legally
Purchasing fentanyl should always be done legally and under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Here are the steps to obtain fentanyl legally:
- Consult a Doctor: Discuss your pain management needs with a medical professional.
- Get a Prescription: If deemed necessary, your doctor can prescribe fentanyl.
- Visit a Licensed Pharmacy: Fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy that stocks fentanyl.
Buying Fentanyl Illegally: Reasons to Avoid
While there may be a desire to learn how to buy fentanyl through illegal means, the repercussions are severe:
- Legal issues: Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription can lead to criminal charges.
- Health risks: Illegally obtained fentanyl is often of unknown purity and can be lethal.
- Contributing to drug trafficking: Engaging in illegal purchases supports criminal networks.
FAQs About Fentanyl
What is fentanyl used for?
- Today, emergency medicine experts say it’s common to treat overdosing patients who had no idea they had ingested fentanyl.
- Xylazine is being incorporated into the illicit drug supply and is now geographically spread throughout the United States.
- If misused, fentanyl can cause a person’s breathing to slow and stop; this is often called an “overdose.” If breathing stops, a person can die.
- Michael Gilbert, an independent researcher who has studied darknet drug markets, said that not only do individual users buy drugs on the darknet, so do dealers who go on to resell the drug in their local area.
- Rather than dissolve all of the substance you want to test in water, just put ten milligrams of the drug in a clean, dry container.
Fentanyl is primarily used to treat severe pain, especially after surgeries or for chronic pain conditions.
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Its potency makes it easy to overdose on, and it can lead to addiction and significant health risks.
Can fentanyl be prescribed?
Yes, it can be prescribed by a doctor for managing severe pain, but it requires careful monitoring.
What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
Call emergency services immediately, and administer naloxone if you have it available.
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy fentanyl involves recognizing the legal and health aspects of its use. The safest path is through a prescription and careful adherence to medical guidance. Avoid illegal avenues to ensure both legal safety and personal health.
