The sale and use of opioids in downtown Portland is a perennial story, featured on the cover of WW since the 1970s, when the Rose City became a heroin hot spot. What’s different about the fentanyl market is the potency of its product. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Join the thousands of people that have called a treatment provider for rehab information. Until now, Fentanyl test strips had previously been considered “drug paraphernalia” in Florida, meaning it was a crime to either possess or distribute them anywhere in the state.
Medical Professional Licenses
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used for pain management, particularly in cases of severe chronic pain or breakthrough pain. It is also sometimes used as an anesthetic during surgery. However, due to its potent nature, fentanyl is a highly controlled substance and should only be obtained through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Legitimate Sources
The $1 Tool That Might Curb The Overdose Epidemic
The four-member bike squad, tasked with addressing livability problems in Portland’s downtown core, has become the city’s de facto street drug enforcement team. One recent afternoon, the Central Precinct’s bike squad pulled up to the corner. Officer Eli Arnold, who’s made a specialty of spotting dealers, was watching the action from a neighboring building. Cops arrested 36-year-old Rey Maudiel, who told police he had just arrived in town after meeting a man in Los Angeles who recruited him to sell dope in Portland. A warrant was out for his arrest on drug charges in San Francisco.
- Add water to the container and mix it with your drugs, using the same drug-to-water ratio and following the same steps mentioned previously.
- According to the report, most of this fentanyl originates in China.
- Fentanyl is a powerful, fast-acting opioid that increases the risk of overdose.
- 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.
If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, you can obtain it from your local pharmacy with a valid prescription from your doctor. Pharmacies will only dispense fentanyl to individuals who have a legitimate medical reason for using the drug and who have been prescribed the appropriate dosage by their healthcare provider.
Center For Health Care Quality
First, it’s important to know that fentanyl is tremendously potent. Even a small amount of fentanyl, especially for someone who’s not used to using opioids, could cause an overdose. Fentanyl test strips aren’t perfect, but most people find them easy to use. The best way to use them is to dissolve all the drugs you plan to use in water. 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.
Online Pharmacies
How Much Do Fentanyl Test Strips Cost?
While it is technically possible to purchase fentanyl from online pharmacies, it is highly discouraged due to the risk of counterfeit or improperly manufactured drugs. Buying fentanyl from an online source without a prescription is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous, as the drug’s potency can easily lead to overdose and death.
The Mission is one of the top neighborhoods where accidental overdoses occur. Here’s where to find, and tips on how to use, potentially life-saving resources like fentanyl test strips and naloxone in the neighborhood. No matter the result from using fentanyl test strips, having naloxone nearby is key to saving a life in case an opioid overdose does happen.
It is important to remember that fentanyl is a highly addictive substance with a high potential for abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, seek help from a healthcare professional immediately.
