Content
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 a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Despite its legal status, fentanyl has become a popular drug of abuse and is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills.
Understanding Fentanyl
Fentanyl And Fentanyl Analogues
For Robert, who’s motivated to get clean and get off the street, the process has been frustratingly slow. He says he’s on the waitlist at the county’s new downtown shelter. And he wants to eventually enter a methadone program, where he can get a supply of the long-acting opioid used to wean substance abusers off street drugs. Once people became addicted, they turned to a cheaper alternative, heroin. Florida has legalized fentanyl test strips, allowing people to buy the inexpensive strips to detect the presence of the deadly substance.
Fentanyl is a prescription medication used to treat severe pain, usually after surgery or in cancer patients. It is available in various forms, including transdermal patches, lozenges, and injectable solutions. Fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. This binding action blocks pain signals and releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces a feeling of euphoria.
Safer Choices For People Who Use Drugs
That’s why some health experts are calling for nasal nalmefene to be available over the counter. Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a form of drug testing technology which can detect the presence of fentanyl in drug samples prior to use. FTS are a reliable common-sense means of providing people at risk of fentanyl exposure with more information that can decrease risk of overdose.
While fentanyl can be an effective pain reliever when used as directed, it can also be highly addictive and dangerous. Overdose is a significant risk, especially when fentanyl is mixed with other drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl was involved in more than 36,000 overdose deaths in 2019, accounting for nearly 73% of all opioid-related deaths.
Where Can You Buy Fentanyl
Participants perceived benefits of using test strips but reported barriers, such as the unpredictable nature of buying or using drugs and not wanting to delay drug use to test. Structural conditions impeded participant actions to reduce overdose risk if their drugs tested positive for fentanyl. Fentanyl test strips can be used to test for the presence of fentanyl in other drugs, such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and pressed pills bought on the street. Because fentanyl in the drug supply is undetectable through sight or smell, fentanyl test strips are an important harm reduction tool that can allow drug users to test for the presences of fentanly in other drugs.
Fentanyl is a controlled substance and is only available through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. However, it is widely available on the illegal market, often sold as a powder, patch, or pill. Fentanyl can be purchased from drug dealers, online marketplaces, and social media platforms. It is also sometimes sold as a counterfeit version of other prescription opioids, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone.
Lower Your Risk Of Overdose
It is important to note that buying fentanyl illegally is extremely dangerous. Not only is it illegal, but it is also difficult to know the purity or strength of the drug. Fentanyl is often mixed with other substances, which can increase the risk of overdose. Additionally, buying fentanyl from an illegal source can lead to arrest, imprisonment, and other legal consequences.
An additional six participants reported regular opioid use in combination with at least one stimulant. Those who reported regular crack cocaine use, either alone or in combination with opioids, had the longest drug using careers among the sample. Those who used crack cocaine only were less familiar with overdose prevention methods. All participants knew about fentanyl, regardless of whether they used opioids. Participants were stratified into categories according to their preferred primary drugs (Table 3).
Promoting Healthy Activities Outdoors In Safe, Clean, Green Public Spaces
Alternatives to Buying Fentanyl
If you are experiencing pain and are considering using fentanyl, it is essential to speak with your healthcare provider first. They can evaluate your condition and determine the most appropriate treatment option for you. There are many alternative pain relief options available, including over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and other non-opioid treatments.
If you are struggling with opioid addiction, there are many resources available to help you. Treatment options include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and behavioral therapies. MAT involves the use of medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone to help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Counseling and behavioral therapies can help you develop coping skills and strategies to prevent relapse.
- The hypothetical FCS overdose victim, not aligning with the trainee’s mental model of who is at risk of an overdose, makes a potential “first responder” unable to recognize the overdose.
- If you’re a veteran who uses opioids, ask your VA provider about prescribing naloxone, which is free.
- A person prepares heroin, placing a fentanyl test strip into the mixing container to check for contamination, Wednesday Aug. 22, 2018, in New York.
- The content on this page refers to illicitly-manufactured fentanyl.
- Review and follow the full test strip information before use, as directions may vary among tests.
Other types of organizations are expected to be eligible to participate in the program in future phases. Test kits that include strips and a special testing solution can cost anywhere between $25 to $40 each and are available online. But there are more than 60 community programs in California and many provide fentanyl testing strips for free. Fentanyl is ending up in many different drugs, but many people aren’t aware, so they’re taking substances they’ve taken for years and unexpectedly overdosing.
Conclusion
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can be highly addictive and dangerous. While it is available through a prescription, it is also widely available on the illegal market. Buying fentanyl illegally is extremely risky and can lead to overdose, arrest, and other legal consequences. If you are experiencing pain, speak with your healthcare provider about alternative treatment options. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, seek professional help to manage your condition and prevent relapse.
