Where Would You Like To Receive Your Naloxone?
Understanding Fentanyl
For this brief, we used OSINT to identify people trying to sell fentanyl on Flickr, which has 112 million users. In addition, we looked at how the social media platform Pinterest, which has 478 million users, is preventing pro-drug content on its platform. For example, on March 4, 2022, authorities in Portland, Oregon, confiscated 150,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and twenty pounds of fentanyl powder.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, primarily used for pain management, especially in patients undergoing surgery or those with severe chronic pain. It is significantly more potent than morphine, making it a dangerous substance when misused.
In Colorado last year, 1,881 people died from drug overdoses, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) – more than from diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and lung and breast cancer individually. Half of those accidental overdose deaths (912 people, most under age 44) died from an overdose involving fentanyl, a spike from 540 deaths in 2020. Sometimes it may take more doses, but studies show that a person experiencing an overdose involving fentanyl will usually ‘come to’ after 1 or 2 doses. Chest rigidity has been seen in some fentanyl-related overdoses and this causes the individual to stop breathing immediately.
Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers for the general public, especially in rural and underserved communities [14]. Pharmacists play a vital role in overdose risk reduction through opioid medication counseling and the dispensing of naloxone [15]. Although pharmacists are actively engaged with overdose reduction strategies, no published research reports on pharmacist awareness of and willingness to sell FTS [16]. FTS are commonly distributed by harm reduction organizations, with research indicating over 77% of syringe services programs offering them in 2019 [11]. However, these programs are often limited geographically, being largely concentrated in urban areas with less coverage in the South and Appalachia [12]. A systematic legal review found that it is clearly legal to distribute drug-checking equipment in 19 states, and in 14 states where distribution is not clearly legal, it is legal when that equipment is obtained from an SSP [13].
It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects. Fentanyl has been found in many different drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and ketamine. It can also be found in pills from nonmedical sources, pressed into counterfeit pills to look like prescription painkillers or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax® Klonopin®, and Valium®. Naloxone should be given in response to any suspected drug overdose.
Is it Legal to Buy Fentanyl Online?
This may rapidly become dependence, meaning that not taking opioids may cause severe pain and discomfort because opioids are no longer in the brain and body. This leads some people to use opioids more and more, a cycle that can lead to opioid use disorder. Opioid use disorder occurs when opioid use interferes with daily life. This may include challenges at home, at work, at school, or in relationships.
The legality of purchasing fentanyl online varies by country and even by state in some regions. In many places, fentanyl is a controlled substance, meaning that it can only be obtained through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Risks of Purchasing Fentanyl Online
If you are considering the question, can I buy fentanyl online, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved:
- Legal Issues: Buying prescription medication without a valid prescription is illegal.
- Health Risks: The risk of receiving counterfeit or contaminated products is high.
- Overdose: Misuse can lead to severe side effects or even fatal overdose.
Seeking Alternatives
Instead of attempting to purchase fentanyl online, consider these alternatives:
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Discuss your pain management options with a doctor.
- Explore Non-Opioid Pain Relief: Consider over-the-counter medications or physical therapies.
- Treat Underlying Conditions: Focus on addressing the root cause of your pain.
Then the patients can purchase powder fentanyl capsules at one of PHS Community Services Society’s clinical sites. A harm-reduction organization in Vancouver is helping people addicted to opioids buy pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl at street prices as an alternative to the illicit drug supply—a first in North America. The Institute’s research shows a sharp rise in deaths from synthetic opioids, the most common of which is fentanyl and its analogues, eclipsing heroin deaths in 2020. Syringe access programs (SAPs) are evidence-based interventions shown to reduce the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) and do not increase drug use or crime.
FAQs
Can I Buy Fentanyl Online Without a Prescription?
No, in most jurisdictions, fentanyl is a prescription-only medication, and purchasing it without a prescription is illegal.
What Are the Dangers of Buying Fentanyl Online?
The dangers include legal repercussions, the risk of counterfeit drugs, and the potential for overdose. It’s vital to prioritize safety and legality.
- Overdoses are now the leading cause of preventable death among people ages 18 to 45, ahead of suicide, traffic accidents and gun violence, according to federal data.
- The reversing agent is administered through a nasal spray reversing the effect of an opioid overdose, in particular, fentanyl.
- Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay test strips designed to quickly and cheaply test urine for the presence of fentanyl.
- Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses.
What Should I Do If I Need Pain Relief?
Consult with a healthcare professional who can provide a safe and legal pain management plan tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
In summary, while the question can I buy fentanyl online may arise, the associated risks and legal implications far outweigh any potential benefits. Always prioritize safety and legal pathways when seeking medications.
