- UC San Francisco Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in Clinical Pharmacy Tessa Rife-Pennington, PharmD, BCGP, works at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and with UCSF’s Addiction Research Program.
- Significantly, non-Latino Black people are more likely to die from an opioid overdose when stimulants are also present (Barocas et al., 2019).
- To best keep up with the legality of Fentanyl testing strips, it’s always important to check your local city or state ordinances.
- Drugs mixed with fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in Wisconsin.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through prescription. However, there is a growing black market for fentanyl, and it is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, to increase their potency.
Illegal Online Marketplaces
Fentanyl Test Strips:
One of the most common ways to buy fentanyl illegally is through online marketplaces that specialize in selling drugs. These marketplaces, also known as “darknet markets,” operate on the dark web, which is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines and requires special software to access. Some of the most popular darknet markets for buying fentanyl include AlphaBay, Dream Market, and Hansa Market.
How to Access Darknet Markets
This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 4 Feb 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Feb 2024), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2024) and others. Before using fentanyl test strips, it is critical to read and follow our instructions. You can read all about fentanyl test strips and how to use them correctly here. Even if you’ve used them before, the information on this page is still important.
$1 Fentanyl Test Strip Could Be A Major Weapon Against Opioid ODs
To access darknet markets, you will need to use the Tor browser, which is a free software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. Once you have installed Tor, you can visit the marketplaces by typing in their web address, which is usually a series of random letters and numbers. You will then need to create an account and deposit funds, usually in the form of Bitcoin, to make a purchase.
Street Dealers
Resources & Support
Another way to buy fentanyl illegally is through street dealers. Fentanyl is often sold in the form of powder, pills, or patches, and it can be mixed with other drugs or sold as a pure substance. Street dealers may also sell counterfeit prescription pills that contain fentanyl. It is important to note that buying drugs from street dealers is illegal and can be dangerous, as the drugs may be contaminated or of unknown strength.
More than 30 years of evidence looking at providing sterile syringes to people who inject drugs shows people will use drugs, whether or not they have access to clean supplies. If they don’t have access to clean syringes, they may reuse or share needles, which increases their risk for HIV, hepatitis C and wounds. There’s no clear way to tell by sight, taste or smell that something has fentanyl. By testing their drugs, people can know what they’re taking and take steps to be safer, like getting Narcan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had more people in the Bay Area die from fentanyl than COVID-19, so fentanyl overdoses are really impacting our community.
Prescription
The only legal way to buy fentanyl is through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Fentanyl is used to treat severe pain, such as pain from cancer, and it is typically administered through a patch or injection. If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, your healthcare provider will write you a prescription, which you can fill at a licensed pharmacy.
We know that many in our community are asking about MPOX (monkeypox). As a trusted community messenger, The Center is here to help connect you to resources and information about MPOX. Click here for some helpful FAQs that we have compiled from local, state, and federal health agencies, as well as information on the County’s next vaccination event this week. We will update our website as well as The Center’s Facebook and Instagram to share the latest updates. Offers support for people seeking recovery from crystal meth addiction.
FAQs
The campaign raises awareness of some of the dangers of illegal drugs, and provides an opportunity to take harm-reducing steps. Make a plan with a safe person around you who is prepared to help you in the event of an overdose. You cannot smell or taste fentanyl, so consider carrying Fentanyl Test Strips to prevent ingestion.
- Is it legal to buy fentanyl online? No, it is illegal to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. Online marketplaces that sell fentanyl are illegal and operate on the dark web.
- Can you overdose on fentanyl? Yes, fentanyl is a powerful opioid and can cause an overdose, which can lead to respiratory failure and death. It is important to use fentanyl only as directed by a healthcare provider and to never mix it with other drugs or alcohol.
- Is fentanyl more addictive than other opioids? Fentanyl is a highly addictive opioid, and it can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. It is important to use fentanyl only as directed by a healthcare provider and to seek medical help if you are struggling with addiction.
Under the new law, people in Pennsylvania who buy or carry fentanyl testing strips will no longer face potential criminal charges for possession of drug paraphernalia. The city has taken steps such as hiring outreach workers, training emergency responders and enhancing resources to support recovery. Kaelin obtained a Masters Degree in Public Health from Indiana State University and began her journey into the field of public health and social services. In previous roles, Kaelin worked for Chicago Commons Adult Day Service in the Englewood community and Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses located in Harvey Il. Her goal has always been to make a difference in the lives of others, while maintaining their dignity and respect.
In conclusion, fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is highly addictive and can cause an overdose. It is illegal to buy fentanyl online without a prescription, and it is often mixed with other drugs and sold on the black market. The only legal way to buy fentanyl is through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. If you are struggling with addiction, it is important to seek medical help and support.
