Fighting Fentanyl: The Practitioners
“It’s stronger than your willpower,” he said of the drug’s pull. If your strips come with specific directions, follow those directions exactly. He says he has never seen anything like the boom in fentanyl cases here in the San Joaquin Valley. For the last two years, he has been a part of the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team or F.O.R.T. with the DEA Task Force. According to the Department of Justice, F.O.R.T. is a multiagency team composed of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Fresno Police Department.
Xylazine has frequently been found mixed with opioids (including fentanyl) and stimulants (including methamphetamine and cocaine). Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times as powerful as morphine and up to 50 times as powerful as heroin. Fentanyl testing strips and related education allows people to better understand their risk of an overdose. Through a partnership with StopHIVATL and the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, free fentanyl test strips are available now to stop opioid overdose deaths.
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Risks
We want multiple touchpoints and multiple avenues for people to be able to empower themselves and stay safe. If you decide to use the drugs after testing them, you can drink them or inject them. Or you can get the powder back by letting the water evaporate. You can speed up the process by putting the dissolved drugs in a pan in the oven on the lowest setting (maximum of 225 F) while keeping the oven door cracked. When the water evaporates and the pan is cool, you can scrape the residue off with a razor or other sharp item. Most are at least 96% accurate in detecting fentanyl as well as many fentanyl analogs (drugs that are chemically similar but not identical to fentanyl).
Vending machines carrying opioid-overdose reversal drugs are the center of a bill moving through the Georgia House that aims to make more drugs available to combat deaths from overdose. A person prepares heroin, placing a fentanyl test strip into the mixing container to check for contamination, Wednesday Aug. 22, 2018, in New York. If the strip registers a “pinkish” to red marker then the heroin is positive for contaminants. Ask your health care professional these questions when getting a prescription for an opioid. Wisconsin residents can request free fentanyl test strips by mail through NEXT Distro.
Fentanyl will not absorb through the skin from accidental exposure, and it is not strong enough to cause an overdose from airborne exposure. News articles about first responders overdosing from airborne fentanyl exposure is often the result of a panic attack. Offers support for people seeking recovery or support from alcoholism.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used medically for pain relief. However, it is important to acknowledge the significant risks associated with its misuse and illegal distribution.
The risk is especially high among persons who are not tolerant to the drugs effects (opioid-naïve) and may not be aware that the drugs they use contain fentanyl. Because fentanyl is so potent, its use in people who are naïve to fentanyl use can quickly lead to overdose and death. A negative result does not guarantee that your drug sample is free from all synthetic opioids. There is no limit on the number of fentanyl test strips that someone can receive through this program. Participating organizations have access to an unlimited supply of packages.
One such individual was a 49-year-old Ohioan who sent roughly $2,500 to an online seller over the course of 10 months—from May 2016 to February 2017. Over that time period, he received 15 packages through the Postal Service on dates that closely corresponded to payments he made to an online seller. He died in early 2017 from “acute fentanyl intoxication.” He had received a package from an online seller just 30 days before his death.
The question of where can you buy fentanyl arises frequently, especially given the alarming rise in opioid-related overdoses. While there are legitimate medical avenues for obtaining fentanyl, there are numerous illegal channels that pose severe health risks.
Legitimate Medical Sources
Fentanyl can be prescribed by healthcare professionals for specific medical conditions, particularly severe pain management. Here are some legitimate sources:
- Prescription from a doctor: This is the most common and safest way to obtain fentanyl. A healthcare provider will evaluate your condition and determine if fentanyl is appropriate for you.
- Pharmacies: Once prescribed, you can buy fentanyl at licensed pharmacies. They will provide the drug in a controlled manner, following legal regulations.
Illegitimate Sources
Unfortunately, there are also illegal sources where individuals seek to buy fentanyl. These methods are highly dangerous and illegal:
- Online marketplaces: Some websites may claim to sell fentanyl without a prescription. Purchasing from these sites is illegal and extremely risky.
- Street dealers: Illegal drug markets often have fentanyl available. Buying from street dealers is highly dangerous, as the quality and dosage are uncertain, leading to a high risk of overdose.
- Unregulated suppliers: Some individuals may attempt to sell fentanyl without any licensing or regulation.
The Dangers of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
Purchasing fentanyl through illegitimate sources can lead to:
- Overdose: Fentanyl is significantly more potent than other opioids and can easily lead to overdose if not administered correctly.
- Legal consequences: Buying or selling fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can have serious legal repercussions.
- Health risks: Illegally obtained fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is fentanyl available without a prescription?
No, fentanyl is a controlled substance and should only be obtained with a valid prescription from a healthcare provider.
- Fentanyl can also be found co-mingled either intentionally or unintentionally with other drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine.
- Even a small amount of fentanyl, especially for someone who’s not used to using opioids, could cause an overdose.
- Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Vice Agents say dealers have been mixing the powder version of fentanyl into their heroin bags to boost sales.
- Overdose can be avoided by having fentanyl test strips with you to help detect the presence of fentanyl in other drugs including cocaine, meth, heroin and other opioids.
- Research is beginning to show that cheap strips can accurately detect deadly fentanyl, and encourages people to get high more cautiously.
2. What is the safest way to get fentanyl?
The safest way to acquire fentanyl is through a healthcare provider who can evaluate your medical needs and prescribe it appropriately.
3. What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Signs of an overdose may include slow or difficult breathing, extreme drowsiness, inability to wake up, and blue tinting around lips and fingers.
4. Can fentanyl be found in illegal drugs?
Yes, fentanyl is often mixed into illicit drugs, including heroin and counterfeit pills, increasing the risk of overdose without the user’s knowledge.
It is crucial to approach the topic of where can you buy fentanyl with caution and awareness of the risks involved. Legal channels exist for those who need this medication for legitimate medical reasons, while illegal sources present substantial dangers that can have life-threatening consequences.
