What Are The Signs Of Fentanyl Overdose?
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Purchase Locations
The opioid crisis has drawn significant attention to the substance known as fentanyl. While it is a powerful pain reliever with legitimate medical uses, its illegal distribution can pose serious health risks.
What is Fentanyl?
FentCheck™’s mission is to decrease the overwhelming number of accidental overdoses by providing life-saving resources like Fentanyl Test Strips and NARCAN within the community. We work directly with owners, employees, and customers in places related to nightlife, social clubs, and schools- where many fentanyl overdoses occur. We focus on how to respond in an emergency, and how to prevent one. We help people who use drugs feel more savvy about drug safety and we equip them to educate their peers about fentanyl testing. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have increased alarmingly in recent years, from nine deaths in 2012 to 979 in 2020.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often prescribed for severe pain, such as that experienced after surgery or in advanced cancer cases. However, its potency has also led to an increase in its illegal manufacturing and distribution.
A synthetic opioid, fentanyl is often carefully prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain in people living with cancer, recovering from surgery or who are terminally ill. However, most fentanyl-involved deaths are due to illicitly made fentanyl, and a small amount is enough to cause an overdose. California has set aside $4 million to distribute fentanyl testing strips as part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1 billion overall plan to address the crisis. Illicitly manufactured powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, or made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl?
For those seeking to purchase fentanyl, it is crucial to understand the appropriate and safe channels:
Most people don’t know it is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. 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. With a fentanyl overdose, two or more doses of naloxone may need to be administered. The Health Department offers virtual trainings to individuals and organizations on the use of fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction tool as well as strategies for community engagement. If you are interested in learning about fentanyl and fentanyl test strips, or your organization is distributing fentanyl test strips in the community, register for an upcoming training below.
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A small amount of the heroin, cocaine or other substance one wishes to test, about the size of half a grain of rice, is dissolved in as little as 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of water. The amount of water needed depends on the specific drug being tested. They were originally designed to check urine for fentanyl, but harm reduction advocates found that the tests could work when a little bit of the product was mixed with water. Learn more about responding to suspected drug overdoses on OHA’s Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose webpage (link).
- Prescription from a Licensed Healthcare Provider
The safest and legal way to obtain fentanyl is through a prescription issued by a doctor. This ensures that the medication is used correctly and monitored for potential abuse.
- Pharmacies
Once prescribed, fentanyl can be purchased at licensed pharmacies. These establishments are mandated to adhere to strict regulations regarding the dispensing of controlled substances.
However, these programs are often limited geographically, being largely concentrated in urban areas with less coverage in the South and Appalachia [12]. According to qualitative interviews with PWUD, there is a need to increase access to and awareness of FTS, with some users suggesting pharmacies as good locations to receive FTS [10]. In order to use the strips, testers dissolve a small amount of substance in water, and then dip the test strip into the liquid for 15 seconds.
- Online Pharmacies
Some legitimate online pharmacies may carry fentanyl. It is essential to verify that these pharmacies are licensed and require a prescription. Do not purchase from sites that do not ask for a prescription, as these may be illicit operators.
Your tolerance for opioids (like oxy or fentanyl) could lower in as little as 3 – 7 days. Training programs in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services website. CallClick here to find the health department location closest to you. People in the United States are dying from fentanyl at alarming rates. Getting the facts about fentanyl and sharing them widely is a good first step in addressing this community-wide crisis. Fentanyl will not absorb through the skin from accidental exposure, and it is not strong enough to cause an overdose from airborne exposure.
Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late. Only take prescribed medicines purchased over-the-counter at a pharmacy. 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. Kids, for example, might get a pill at a party, and it may look legitimate, but it’s not. Anyone can buy a press to make pills that look just like prescription drugs these days.
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
Buying fentanyl from unauthorized sources carries significant risks:
- Health Risks: Substances acquired illegally may be impure or mixed with other harmful drugs.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing controlled substances without a prescription is illegal and can lead to severe penalties.
- Addiction Potential: Without medical supervision, the risk of developing a dependency increases exponentially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase fentanyl over the counter?
- Most pharmacists were interested in receiving FTS training, which should be created to address pharmacist-reported barriers to FTS sales.
- Other research from Brown University showed that half of test strip users found fentanyl in their drug supply.
- The AMA continues to advance evidence-based recommendations to help end the nation’s drug-related overdose and death epidemic.
- This drug test can provide accurate and fast results as soon as 1 minute.
No, fentanyl is not available over the counter and requires a prescription due to its potent nature and potential for abuse.
What should I do if I have a prescription for fentanyl?
Follow the dosage and administration instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Always fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
Are there alternatives to fentanyl?
Yes, there are several alternatives for pain management. Consult your healthcare provider for other options that may be suitable for your condition.
Conclusion
While the question of where can I buy fentanyl may arise, it is imperative to approach this substance with caution and awareness. The safe and legal route involves obtaining a prescription from a healthcare professional and purchasing it from a licensed pharmacy. Avoid the dangers of illegal purchases and prioritize safety and health.
