Recognizing An Overdose
Understanding the Risks of Fentanyl
The paper indicators had been considered illegal drug paraphernalia as they could be used to test whether the highly powerful, dangerous synthetic opioid was present in a sample. Many street drugs have been found to contain fentanyl, which has become a leading cause of overdose death. Fentanyl is often added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. According to the DEA, most of the illicit supply comes from outside the United States, where clandestine laboratories synthesize fentanyl into counterfeit pills.
But unlike heroin, which requires the poppy plant, fentanyl is a synthetic drug that’s easy to make with the right precursor ingredients. Fentanyl the prescription drug and fentanyl inside a heroin bag come from very different sources, although both can be abused. Doing a tester shot, or using a smaller amount of a drug, can help you decide how strong your supply is and reduce the chance of overdose or overamping. If you are actively using drugs, testing for HIV and hepatitis C every six months can help keep you healthy. In 2014, the Pennsylvania Department of Health released a standing order, which allows anyone to visit a pharmacy and receive Naloxone without a prescription.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often prescribed for severe pain management. However, misuse and illegal distribution have led to a significant increase in overdoses and fatalities. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers associated with this substance.
Where to Buy Fentanyl Legally
- Naloxone is a safe medicine that can quickly stop an opioid overdose.
- Most pharmacists were interested in receiving FTS training, which should be created to address pharmacist-reported barriers to FTS sales.
- Overwhelmingly, pharmacists in this sample are willing to add FTS sales to this list of harm reduction strategies, with two pharmacies already partnering with a local syringe service program to offer FTS.
- People who use drugs that may contain Fentanyl should always carry or have access to Narcan, the lifesaving Opioid overdose drug also known as Naloxone.
- Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
- However, these fake pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.
If you are seeking where to buy fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, it is only available through a healthcare provider’s prescription. Here are the legitimate avenues:
- Pharmacies: Only licensed pharmacies can dispense fentanyl prescriptions written by healthcare professionals.
- Healthcare Providers: Consult your doctor for an evaluation and potential prescription.
- Hospitals: In cases of acute medical care, hospitals can administer fentanyl legally.
There are many different fentanyl-like drugs and it’s hard to tell the difference between them all by just taste, smell, color, or feel. Fentanyl test strips are easy to use tests to see if your drugs have some types of fentanyl in them. It is important to use, store and dispose of prescription pain medication safely to prevent opioid misuse. Oregon Health & Science University researchers reported last year that Oregon has half the drug treatment beds it needs. The state lost nearly 150 during the pandemic—a “staggering” number, a top official admitted last year.
For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
Since 2019, 134,280 doses of NARCAN® have been distributed at no cost through community agencies to people who use opioids or drugs that could be mixed with opioids, and their families and friends. So far this year, more than 5,000 overdoses have been reversed with NARCAN® distributed through this program. NARCAN® also can be purchased at more than 500 pharmacies without a prescription under a standing order. Locations where NARCAN® is available can be found on the DHS website. DHS also encourages hepatitis C and HIV screening as part of an ongoing drug user health initiative. Legal, pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer.
Risks of Illegally Obtaining Fentanyl
It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are small strips of paper that are used detect the presence of fentanyl. Testing substances with a FTS will tell you if the drug contains fentanyl. They can be used to test drugs for traces of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, allowing a person using drugs to know what they are putting into their body, and take the proper steps to prevent an overdose. For Robert, who’s motivated to get clean and get off the street, the process has been frustratingly slow. He says he’s on the waitlist at the county’s new downtown shelter.
Illegally obtaining fentanyl poses serious risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing fentanyl from illegal sources can lead to severe legal penalties.
- Health Risks: Illegitimate products may contain dangerous adulterants or incorrect dosages, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Dependence and Addiction: Misuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction, creating a cycle that is hard to break.
FAQs About Fentanyl
1. What is fentanyl used for?
Fentanyl is primarily used to treat severe pain, such as pain from cancer or after surgery, where other pain medications are ineffective.
2. How is fentanyl administered?
Fentanyl can be administered in various forms, including patches, lozenges, injections, and nasal sprays, depending on medical necessity.
3. What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
Call emergency services immediately. If available, administer naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist that can reverse an overdose.
4. Are there alternatives to fentanyl?
Yes, there are several alternatives including other opioids, non-opioid medications, and various therapeutic approaches tailored to pain management.
Conclusion
Understanding where to buy fentanyl involves recognizing the importance of obtaining it through legal and medically supervised pathways. Seeking any form of fentanyl from illegal sources carries enormous risks that can be detrimental to both health and legal standing. Always consult a healthcare provider for questions about pain management and suitable treatment options.
