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Understanding Fentanyl
Many users don’t realize that the heroin they are purchasing may contain fentanyl — which often results in overdose deaths. If used correctly, fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of the most common types of fentanyl in street drugs and pills. These strips can be a useful harm reduction tool for people who drugs. 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 a powerful synthetic opioid that is used primarily for pain management. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Due to its potency, fentanyl can lead to serious side effects, including overdose and death. The drug is often misused, leading to a public health crisis in many regions.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Fentanyl is about 80 times more potent than morphine and bout 40 times stronger than heroin. The street version of the drug is being blamed on an increase in overdoses that in some cases, can take as many as six injections of Naloxone to save the person’s life. Because of the War on Drugs, misguided public health policy, and laws punishing drug use, the unsafe drug supply is growing. Inconsistent purity and potent cuts ranging from vet medicine (e.g. xylazine) to strong fentanyl analogues (e.g. carfentanil) are just some of the many results of the criminalization of people who use drugs. 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. Naloxone can reverse any opioid overdose, whether it’s from heroin, fentanyl, or analogues like carfentanil.
We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs. Still, in some states, they continue to be illegal because they are considered “drug paraphernalia” under older drug laws. If you are in a place where someone might have used drugs, there are simple steps you can take to further protect your health. Overall, the Health Department gave away 11,715 test strips and 394 doses of Narcan over 45 events in four months. However, there were hundreds of memorable moments and potentially life-saving conversations.
Ideally, it’s best to use them every time you use, but it may not be realistic for everyone. Thankfully, despite the fact that technically, fentanyl test strips have been illegal, they have been relatively available through harm-reduction organizations and substance-use-disorder treatment organizations. It’s been a great resource to be able to offer those to people and to start a conversation about understanding contamination and the risks of unintentional overdose. Right now, we exist in an era where the illicit drug supply in this country is unregulated, contaminated, and often poisonous. One way to keep people safe is to give them knowledge of what it is that they’re using.
Contact the syringe services program or Dept. of Health and Human Services in your state. These groups may be able to provide test strips free of charge, or know where you can get them. Eagle Blue52 nitrile gloves work in almost every situation. At 5mil thick, they have been manufactured thicker for extra strength and durability. Ideal for first responders, police, security personnel and others who directly interact with the public.
But nonetheless it’s better than not having information as to what they are actually buying. 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.
Legal Status of Fentanyl
Before considering how to buy fentanyl, it is crucial to understand its legal status. In many countries, fentanyl is classified as a controlled substance, meaning it is illegal to possess or distribute it without a prescription.
Raudales-Escalante has been arrested a half-dozen times in Multnomah County just in the last year, mainly for selling fentanyl, and parts of his life story can be pieced together through court interviews. His primary language is Spanish, and he spoke to authorities through an interpreter. County Department of Health, accidental fentanyl deaths increased 1,652% between 2016 and 2022. DAY Programs offers services to students who are concerned about their substance use or are required to complete an assessment or engage in treatment by the University’s disciplinary system. Programs include screenings for substance use, trainings, identity workshops, and more. CSU’s Responsible Action Exemption provides protection for students who provide help in these scenarios, so there’s no reason to worry about getting in trouble.
Legal Channels for Purchasing Fentanyl
If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, here are steps to follow:
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Schedule an appointment with a doctor who can evaluate your pain management needs.
- Obtain a Prescription: If the doctor deems it appropriate, they may write a prescription for fentanyl.
- Choose a Licensed Pharmacy: Take your prescription to a licensed pharmacy where it can be filled legally.
Risks of Purchasing Fentanyl Illegally
Buying fentanyl outside of a legal framework poses significant risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing or possessing fentanyl without a prescription can result in severe criminal charges.
- Health Risks: Illicit fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, increasing the likelihood of overdose.
- Financial Scams: Online transactions may result in fraud or receiving counterfeit drugs that do not contain legitimate ingredients.
FAQs about Fentanyl
What is fentanyl used for?
Fentanyl is primarily used for treating severe pain, often in patients recovering from surgery or those with chronic pain conditions.
What are the side effects of fentanyl?
Common side effects of fentanyl use include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Respiratory depression
- 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.
- Please note that all syringe exchange programs also provide overdose prevention and response training and naloxone distribution.
- A thin test strip — similar to a pregnancy test — can detect whether a street drug contains the dangerous opioid fentanyl, according to a new report.
- With no record of who owns them, anonymous companies are an ideal vehicle for hiding drug proceeds.
- Back in the 1980s, cocaine, crack cocaine were spreading in the United States.
How can I recognize an overdose?
Signs of a fentanyl overdose include:
- Unresponsiveness
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Cold and clammy skin
- Purple or bluish lips and nails
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy fentanyl legally and safely is crucial. Always prioritize your health by consulting medical professionals and obtaining medications through legitimate channels.
Misuse of fentanyl can lead to devastating consequences, so awareness and caution are key when dealing with this potent opioid.
