The Chicago Department Of Public Health
If you or a loved one find themselves in need of treatment, call Guardian Recovery today. Our admissions professionals are standing by 24 hours a day to help you determine the best path for you towards your recovery goals. A common medical application for fentanyl is topical patches intended to allow fentanyl to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Risks
As xylazine becomes more common in Oregon’s drug supply, it is increasingly important to know how to identify and respond to overdoses. VC Focus was formed In January 2023, when all Ventura County law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office joined together and created the Ventura County Fentanyl Overdose and Crimes Units (VC FOCUS). This partnership allows VC FOCUS to conduct investigations on recent fatal and non-fatal overdoses and is a law enforcement only task force. Fentanyl test strips help you rapidly detect fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in a batch of drugs. Using the strips can reduce your risk of taking tainted, and potentially life-threatening, substances. Just about any recreational drug can be laced with illicit fentanyl, which is very dangerous.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, particularly in patients dealing with chronic pain or post-surgery recovery.
By tripling HSI’s resources in a selected region, it further enhances the existing framework of law enforcement support in place. The reality is the more resources that are brought forth, the better the outcome for the communities most affected by opioids. Syringe access programs (SAPs) are evidence-based interventions shown to reduce the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) and do not increase drug use or crime. They meet people where they are to provide an array of services in a safe, anonymous setting.
This study was exempted from IRB review as it was considered non-human subjects research with publicly available data. To protect the anonymity of post authors, the Reddit usernames were removed, and direct quotes were slightly altered to reduce the risk of searchability of posts (Ayers et al., 2018; Wilkinson and Thelwall, 2011). Some black-market drug makers create new fentanyl analogs to avoid classification as illegal, get around policy restrictions on manufacturing, and evade detection in standard drug tests. It can be difficult to determine if pills were legally produced for pharmaceutical distribution or illegally produced for illegal drug sales. Counterfeit prescription medications, such as a fentanyl-laced Xany-bar or counterfeit Xanax, were reportedly made at a “pill mill” or illegal pill press. Fentanyl was developed as a powerful pain relief drug for people with end-of-life cancers.
However, fentanyl has gained significant notoriety due to the rise of illicit use and the opioid crisis affecting many countries.
The current study sought to understand perceptions of and experiences with IMF in pressed M30 pills in light of recent public and press attention, such as the current drug warnings by the DEA. Among PWUD in the online community of Reddit, the pressed nature of this specific opioid pill was commonly known and, to a degree, expected by the community reflected in our sample. However, it is unclear to what extent these pills have received the attention of broader public health professionals and agencies, and the broader population of PWUD. Redditors’ anxieties over the pills commonly stemmed from their ambiguous composition. Fentanyl test strips are an important tool to help prevent a drug overdose from illegally-made fentanyl, a potent and often deadly opioid. Fentanyl test strips can be used to determine if drugs have been mixed or cut with fentanyl.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine and can easily lead to overdose when misused. It is often mixed with other street drugs, increasing the risk of unintentional overdose.
Can You Buy Fentanyl Online?
The question of can you buy fentanyl online is fraught with legal and health implications. While it is technically possible to find websites claiming to sell fentanyl without a prescription, purchasing it through these channels is illegal and highly dangerous.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
- Legal Consequences: Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in most jurisdictions.
- Quality and Purity: Illegally purchased fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, leading to an increased risk of overdose.
- Lack of Medical Oversight: Without a doctor’s guidance, you are at risk of improper dosage and potential addiction.
- Potential Scams: Many online sellers are fraudulent and may not deliver any product after payment is made.
Many ingredients behind synthetic opioids are made in Wuhan, the city where the coronavirus was first discovered and which authorities completely locked down for more than two months. “You can do this sort of business from anywhere,” said a salesperson at Crovell Biotech Co. Fentanyl test strips can identify the presence of fentanyl in unregulated drugs. It must be introduced into the bloodstream or a mucus membrane in order for someone to feel the effects. While there are fentanyl patches that can be placed on the skin for pain management, this is not the formulation that’s cut into other substances. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.
It is also easier to smuggle because small amounts are very powerful. Any time a person consumes an illicit pill in the age of fentanyl, they risk dying. “Two years ago, I would have thought this was crazy,” said Dr. Akhil Anand, a psychiatrist at the Cleveland Clinic who specializes in addiction. Now, Anand said, he’s seeing a lot more people in Ohio seeking out illicit fentanyl as their drug of choice. In Ohio alone, unintentional drug-related overdoses caused the death of 4,050 residents in 2016. To address this deadly scourge, in Ohio, HSI completely shifted its investigative portfolio.
Alternatives to Online Purchases
- Other types of organizations are expected to be eligible to participate in the program in future phases.
- They might ask, “Have you or your friends ever thought about buying drugs from someone online?
- Naloxone should still be given because xylazine is often used with fentanyl.
- Access to the Internet gives even small-time sellers in China transnational reach to market and ship their potent products.
- Fentanyl drug traffickers are sentenced in court last year in Xingtai in northeast China’s Hebei province.
If you are experiencing severe pain or other medical issues, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. There are legitimate medical channels for obtaining prescription medications safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if I or someone I know is struggling with opioid addiction?
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to opioids, including fentanyl, it’s essential to seek professional help. There are numerous rehabilitation programs and support groups available.
2. How can I identify counterfeit fentanyl?
3. What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?
Signs of overdose may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Unresponsiveness
- Persistent drowsiness
- Blue or purple fingernails and lips
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question can you buy fentanyl online is not just about feasibility but about the very real dangers involved. Seeking legitimate treatment through healthcare professionals is the safest course of action for managing pain and avoiding the risks associated with opioids.