Why Is Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Consider carrying Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses fentanyl overdoses. In Seattle, the price of the dangerous opioid is as low as 40 cents a pill in wholesale bulk purchases, said Detective Judinna J. Gulpan, a spokesperson for the Seattle Police Department. However, the street price is usually around $3 to $5, Gulpan said. You can now buy illicit fentanyl on Washington’s streets for as little as 50 cents a pill. Det. Cardinale describes vaping as the gateway drug that leads to more serious drug use including cocaine and Fentanyl.
Understanding the Risks of Fentanyl
You can also purchase strips for delivery from DoseTest and The Bunk Police. And people who use drugs have not forfeited their human rights, including the right to life and health. Most people in the U.S. use drugs, whether it’s caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine. They may be selling cocaine and also selling opioids or fentanyl.
Other strategies to prevent overdose deaths include lowering the entry barrier to addiction treatment, fentanyl test strips, supervised consumption sites and even prescription diamorphine (heroin). But even in the controlled conditions of a hospital, there is still a risk that using fentanyl can reduce breathing rates to dangerously low levels, the main cause of opioid overdose deaths. For those taking fentanyl in nonmedical settings, there is no medical team available to monitor someone’s breathing rate in real time to ensure their safety. A local woman wants more people in the Dayton area to know about low-price test strips that detect fentanyl in street drugs, and proponents say could help opioid abusers avoid fatal overdoses. Naloxone blocks the brain’s opioid receptors and restores normal breathing in people who have overdosed on fentanyl, heroin or prescription painkillers. An increased risk for overdose and deathAlong with being made to look like candy, fentanyl is illicitly added to pills incorrectly labeled as common pain, antianxiety, ADHD or other prescription medications.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than traditional opioids like morphine. Due to its high potency, fentanyl is prescribed for severe pain management, especially in cancer patients or those undergoing major surgeries.
In 2016, drug overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in the United States, driven by a sixfold increase in deaths attributable to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. From 1999 to 2011, the death rate in the United States due to opioid analgesics nearly quadrupled, then began to skyrocket around 2013–2014. This timing coincided with the first detection of illicit pills containing fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other novel synthetic opioids such as U-47700. As a result of this grant, many local health departments and harm reduction centers now provide fentanyl test strips. You can check with your local health department for availability and information on where to buy fentanyl test strips in your community.
A tiny amount – as little as two grains of salt – is enough to kill someone. With information from the test, a person can take steps to reduce their risk of an overdose. In Wisconsin, fentanyl is present in many drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, as well as pills made to resemble prescription medications. Because fentanyl is unable to be detected by sight, taste, smell, or touch, people taking drugs not purchased from a licensed pharmacy should always use fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl test strips do not provide information about the amount or strength of fentanyl in a drug supply. Legal, pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer.
There is no way to know how much fentanyl is in something based on look, smell, or taste. Any opioid pill not from a pharmacy is highly likely to be fake and contain fentanyl. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Until recently, intentional use of fentanyl was mostly limited to the West Coast, but in the past few years, addiction specialists have seen an uptick in use of the drug across the country. Schedule of community needle exchange sites, help for those who inject drugs.
Syringe service programs provide support, information, naloxone, and other harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs, including people who take pills, smoke, inject, and more. Please contact your local public health authority (link) to learn more about services nearest to you. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been prevalent in the northeastern region of the US since 2017, but it did not become prevalent in Oregon until 2019. Since then, law enforcement seizures of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl have grown dramatically in Oregon. The amount of seized fentanyl in Oregon’s high intensity drug trafficking areas (HIDTA) increased from 690 dosage units (counterfeit pills) in 2018 to more than 2 million in 2022.
- People who use street drugs often don’t even know they’re taking fentanyl.
- Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery.
- So when drugs are seized, they’re often not testing for fentanyl or other types of synthetic opioids.
- For example, fentanyl test strips remain illegal in Texas despite their ability to save lives by preventing fatal overdoses.
Students, staff, faculty and community members can also access resources outside the university. Today, on National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we are asking the UW community to help save lives. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. People who are given naloxone should be monitored for another two hours after the last dose of naloxone is given to make sure breathing does not slow or stop.
However, the illegal market for fentanyl pills has surged, leading to a rise in overdoses and fatalities. Understanding where to buy fentanyl pills is crucial for awareness, but it is important to recognize the associated dangers.
Where to Buy Fentanyl Pills Legally
In controlled medical environments, fentanyl can be obtained legally through:
- Licensed pharmacies: Fentanyl patches, lozenges, and injections are available with a doctor’s prescription.
- Healthcare providers: Consult with a healthcare professional for proper pain management and prescriptions.
- Hospitals: Administered under medical supervision for patients in severe pain.
Illegal Sources of Fentanyl Pills
Illegal sources for fentanyl pills include:
- Street dealers: These individuals may sell counterfeit pills that resemble prescription medications.
- Online marketplaces: Some websites and dark web platforms may offer fentanyl pills without prescriptions.
It is critical to emphasize the dangers of purchasing fentanyl illegally. Many counterfeit pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl, leading to overdose and death.
Why People Seek Fentanyl Pills
Individuals may seek out fentanyl pills for various reasons, including:
- Pain management: Patients suffering from chronic pain may look for stronger medications.
- Recreational use: Some individuals misuse fentanyl for its euphoric effects, not considering the risks.
FAQs about Fentanyl Pills
What makes fentanyl so dangerous?
Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it easy to overdose on even a small amount.
How can someone tell if they are using counterfeit fentanyl pills?
Counterfeit pills may lack consistency in color, markings, and effects. Consulting a healthcare professional or using drug-testing kits can help.
What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
- Extreme drowsiness
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Cold, clammy skin
What should I do if I suspect an overdose?
Call emergency services immediately and, if available, administer naloxone (Narcan) while waiting for help to arrive.
Conclusion
While information on where to buy fentanyl pills may be sought after, it is essential to approach this topic with caution. Legal avenues exist for medications prescribed by healthcare professionals, but illicit use poses significant health risks.
Being aware of the dangers associated with fentanyl can potentially save lives, and seeking help from medical professionals is always the best course of action.
