FENTKIT (10 Fentanyl Test Strips + Measuring Tools)
Submit a request for fentanyl test strips to be shipped to you at no cost. If your agency is providing free fentanyl test strips, let us know. Use the map below to find an organization or vending machine offering free fentanyl test strips near you or view a spreadsheet of all the locations (Excel). It is important to use, store and dispose of prescription pain medication safely to prevent opioid misuse. Addiction is the most severe form of a substance use disorder (SUD).
Understanding Fentanyl
Naloxone can be used to reverse an overdose due to fentanyl but multiple doses may be needed.. Below is a lethal dose of heroin compared with lethal doses of carfentanil and fentanyl. Overdose Lifeline is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities affected by the disease of substance use disorder. Your health impacts how your body is able to respond to overdose and overamping. It is best not to reuse or share needles as well as other drug use equipment like cottons, cookers, ties, water, snorting straws or pipes. If you are sharing or reusing, rinse your syringe with sterile water and bleach.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is primarily used to treat patients with severe pain, particularly after surgery or those with chronic pain who have developed a tolerance to other opioids. Due to its potency, fentanyl is significantly stronger than morphine and is often responsible for a growing number of overdose cases.
Where Can You Buy Fentanyl?
Last year, an attempt to legalize the test strips foundered when it was opposed by Republicans in the Florida House, despite an intense lobbying campaign that included family members who lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses. “Our test strips are such a great tool for engaging people who use substances into our programing so that then we can support them with other aspects of their health, especially around HIV and Hep C,” he said. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses. Initially developed for pain management in cancer patients, illegal non-pharmaceutical fentanyl has found its way into recreational drugs, often without the user’s knowledge. Its high potency increases the risk of overdose, especially for those who are unaware of its presence in in the drug they are using. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies, like Percocet and Xanax.
It is crucial to understand the legal and safe avenues to obtain fentanyl. Possession and distribution of fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions.
There is no way to know whether illicitly-purchased pharmaceuticals contain fentanyl without testing them first. Whether you are testing everything you intend to consume or a smaller portion of your drugs, you need to dilute the powder in the correct amount of water. We want to meet people where they’re at today with their drug use so that we can keep them with us and build that trust. Then, if and when they want to change their use – maybe stop, reduce or switch to a safer drug – we’re here for them.
Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids and can reverse an opioid overdose. With a fentanyl overdose, two or more doses of naloxone may need to be administered. Oregon is experiencing an influx of fentanyl in the form of counterfeit pills. Many of these pills are made to look identical to prescription opioids and are falsely marketed to people in the community as legitimate. Most counterfeit pills resemble oxycodone 30mg pills (M30s), but they can also look like hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, and other medications. These are photos of counterfeit pills collected from a drug seizure in Oregon.
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®. Ternan argued that fentanyl test strips should be legal and easily available throughout the U.S. because they can be effective harm reduction tools when used properly. But drug users and experimenters need to perform the tests themselves, he said.
Here are some official and legal pathways:
Only one participant had received OEND training prior to enrollment in the study. Most reported using drugs for two decades or more (mean 24 years, s.d. 13.6 years). Among the nine participants who reported no opioid use, 8 used crack cocaine and 1 used methamphetamine.
1. Prescription from a Doctor
- Patients must consult a doctor who can evaluate their need for fentanyl.
- The doctor may write a prescription if they determine it is medically necessary.
2. Licensed Pharmacies
- Once a prescription is obtained, fentanyl can be purchased at licensed pharmacies.
- Pharmacies will require the physical prescription for any form of fentanyl, whether it be patches, lozenges, or injections.
3. Hospital or Clinical Settings
- In some cases, patients may receive fentanyl directly from healthcare providers in hospital settings.
- This method is suitable for individuals in pain management programs or those who have undergone surgery.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
- Routine testing for xylazine by the Oregon State Medical Examiner began in 2020.
- In 2016, drug overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in the United States, driven by a sixfold increase in deaths attributable to illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
- If the strip registers a “pinkish” to red marker then the heroin is positive for contaminants.
- Florida has legalized fentanyl test strips, allowing people to buy the inexpensive strips to detect the presence of the deadly substance.
Purchasing fentanyl through illegal channels poses several risks:
- Legal Consequences: Possessing fentanyl without a prescription can lead to criminal charges.
- Health Risks: Illegally obtained fentanyl may be counterfeit and can contain dangerous additives or impurities.
- Overdose Potential: Due to its high potency, even a small misjudgment in dosage can lead to fatal consequences.
FAQs about Fentanyl
Is fentanyl available over-the-counter?
No, fentanyl is not available over-the-counter and can only be obtained through a prescription.
What forms of fentanyl are prescribed?
Fentanyl is available in several forms, including:
- Patches
- Lozenges
- Injections
What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
If you suspect an overdose, it is essential to call emergency services immediately and be prepared to provide any relevant information about the situation.
Conclusion
When considering where you can buy fentanyl, it is vital to follow legal and safe procedures. Always consult a healthcare professional and obtain prescriptions from certified sources to mitigate risks associated with opioid misuse and illegal purchasing.
