Do People Buy Fentanyl?

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According to the CDC, man-made opioids like fentanyl are fueling the majority of overdose deaths in the United States. Xylazine has been found in a growing number of overdose deaths across the country and is commonly encountered in combination with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and a variety of other drugs. The role of methamphetamine in the illegal drug market has been pushed aside in headlines as images of drug use in the South turned from exploding meth labs to potentially deadly fentanyl pills. But drug experts say meth has made an unwanted comeback as meth manufacturers have begun making a stronger product. The toxicology results revealed widespread use of fentanyl among people who inject drugs in New York City. Fentanyl was the most common recently used drug, with 83% of participants testing positive for it (including 46% who tested positive for both fentanyl and heroin and 54% who tested positive for fentanyl without heroin).

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. However, fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and distributed, often mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine.

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Who Buys Fentanyl?

People who use drugs and people who may witness an overdose should learn what an overdose looks like, carry naloxone, and know how to give naloxone to a person to reverse an opioid overdose. As xylazine becomes more common in Oregon’s drug supply, it is increasingly important to know how to identify and respond to overdoses. Fentanyl mixed with drugs or alcohol increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids and can reverse an opioid overdose.

Fentanyl is often bought by people who are struggling with addiction to opioids. It is a highly addictive drug that can produce a powerful high, but it also carries a high risk of overdose and death. Fentanyl is also sometimes bought by people who are looking for a more potent alternative to other opioids.

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Cedars-Sinai’s Newsroom spoke with Huntington Health Emergency Department Pharmacist Evan Adintori, PharmD, and Emergency Physician Sam Beckerman, MD, PhD, about their work to  curb the fentanyl epidemic. Five Texans die every day, on average, from fentanyl poisoning. Understanding the dangers of fentanyl is crucial in reducing the threat it poses to you and your loved ones. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on an official government site.

Where Do People Buy Fentanyl?

There is an Addiction Medicine Clinic through Ventura County Medical Center that offers MAT to patients that generally have a co-occurring secondary mental health or physical health complication. In addition, because the x-waiver requirement to prescribe buprenorphine (the primary ingredient in Suboxone) has been lifted, ANY active medical doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe MAT in an outpatient setting. Typically, first time dealers will receive a sentence from a court of 180 days in jail and be placed on felony probation. Defendants can receive up to 50% credit on cases such as these because the crime is not a strike for “third strike” purposes. Ventura County is viewed statewide and nationally as an innovative leader in prevention work.

Fentanyl can be bought on the street, often from drug dealers who mix it with other drugs. It can also be bought online, often through illegal marketplaces on the dark web. Fentanyl is sometimes sold under the names “China White,” “Apache,” or “Tango and Cash.”

• IMF is sold through illicit drug markets in different forms, such as powder and liquid.
• The Dose of Reality initiative contains a suite of resources and information for parents, loved ones, educators, health care providers, and community members.
• There are many legitimate medical uses of fentanyl, particularly to treat severe pain, typically after surgeries or during cancer treatment.
• For both, we look at instances where one drug is identified but not the other and instances where both are identified, all regardless of the presence of any other substance.

How Do People Buy Fentanyl?

People can buy fentanyl in a variety of forms, including pills, powder, or patches. It is often sold in small quantities, such as a single pill or a gram of powder. Fentanyl is also sometimes sold as a counterfeit version of other prescription drugs, such as oxycodone or Xanax.

Is It Safe to Buy Fentanyl?

No. Buying fentanyl is not safe. Fentanyl is a highly potent drug that can cause overdose and death, even in small amounts. It is also illegal to buy or sell fentanyl without a prescription. People who buy fentanyl on the street or online are at risk of purchasing a counterfeit or contaminated product, which can increase the risk of overdose.

FAQs

• Is fentanyl more potent than heroin? Yes, fentanyl is significantly more potent than heroin. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.
• Can fentanyl be detected in a drug test? Yes, fentanyl can be detected in a drug test. However, it may not be detected in a standard drug test, so a specific test for fentanyl may be necessary.
• What are the symptoms of a fentanyl overdose? The symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include slowed breathing, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl, call 911 immediately.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to opioids, there is help available. Contact a healthcare provider or a local addiction treatment center for more information.