Health Alert: Fentanyl, Illicit Narcotics Found In Pills From
Analysis passed to the Guardian by a project funded by Innovate UK examined one of China’s largest e-commerce websites, Weiku.com. It hosts sellers that offer to ship synthetic opioid drugs to the UK. You can still get fentanyl test strips shipped to you if you are not located in Rhode Island. Visit DanceSafe to learn more about how you can get fentanyl test strips as well as other drug testing supplies.
Understanding Fentanyl and Prescription Requirements
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids have now surpassed heroin and prescription painkillers as the deadliest drugs in the United States. They killed more than 19,000 Americans in 2016, topping heroin (15,000) and prescription opioids (14,000) for the first time. The maps below allow you to compare the spread of heroin deaths versus those drug poisonings involving the synthetic opioids category.
- In states where these laws exist, it is only legal to possess a prescription outside of its original container if the drug was removed for consumption.
- People struggling with substance use can contact the Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline to be connected to treatment options.
- There are a few ways to test for fentanyl in a drug sample, but the easiest (and only do-it-yourself) option is to use a test strip.
- Falkowski told ABC he was able to have “a pretty long run” selling drugs laced with fentanyl before his pills killed someone.
- Naloxone can reverse a fentanyl overdose, although in some cases it may take more doses because fentanyl is so potent.
This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a coma and permanent brain damage, and even death. Counterfeit pills are extremely dangerous because people purchasing them may think they are purchasing legitimate prescription medications. However, these fake pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl. If you have questions about a fentanyl prescription that you received from a healthcare provider, talk to your pharmacist or primary care provider. You can’t see, smell or taste fentanyl when it’s mixed with other drugs.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, often in cancer patients or after major surgeries. However, its potency also makes it a target for misuse and illegal trafficking.
Since it is illegal, there is no regulation for substances purchased illicitly. Because of this, factors like potency, foreign substances, and origin are all unknown and potentially fatal to the user. In its original state of production, fentanyl is a fine white powder.
Can I Buy Fentanyl Without a Prescription?
The answer to “can I buy fentanyl without a prescription” is a resounding no. In most countries, including the United States, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that it is legal to obtain only with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Withdrawal is preventable if you lower the opioid dose slowly, generally over a week or so, with the help and guidance of your health care team. The exact amount of time to wean varies based on dose, how long you’ve been taking them, and some other individual factors. It is important to remember that dependence is normal, and happens to everyone who takes opioids for a long period of time. These side effects can also be caused by an overdose of opioids. If you suspect that you or someone you know has taken an overdose of opioids, call 911 right away.
Consequences of Attempting to Buy Fentanyl Without a Prescription
Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription can lead to serious legal and health consequences:
- Legal consequences, including fines or imprisonment.
- Health risks due to unregulated or counterfeit products.
- Addiction or overdose risk from improper use.
An investigator on the committee, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the findings, said these represent a tiny fraction of the hundreds of fentanyl-selling sites on the web. People all over Wisconsin are unknowingly taking drugs containing fentanyl and overdosing because the drugs look identical to what they are used to taking. Get the facts on fentanyl to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones. “Usually by the time somebody is transitioning to fentanyl, they’re already needing to use pretty consistently throughout the day to feel normal, to not be in withdrawal,” Kast said. “As they’re progressing to fentanyl, they’re gonna have to use it more often in order to manage that withdrawal.” Until recently, intentional use of fentanyl was mostly limited to the West Coast, but in the past few years, addiction specialists have seen an uptick in use of the drug across the country.
There’s a downside on the testing front – what we call the ‘chocolate chip cookie’ phenomenon. With counterfeit prescription drugs, not every pill is uniform – contrasting with what you would get at your pharmacy. Illicit manufacturers do not have the machinery or quality control that the pharmaceutical companies do. As such, some counterfeit tablets will have no fentanyl, some will have a little, and some will have enough to kill you. The same principle holds true if you buy an entire bottle of potentially counterfeit tablets – out of 20 pills, 10 might be lethal, while five have no fentanyl in them at all.
Where to Obtain Fentanyl Legally
If you are considering treatment that may involve fentanyl, here are the steps to obtain it legally:
- Consult with a healthcare provider to discuss your pain management options.
- If prescribed fentanyl, fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
- Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for use carefully.
FAQs About Fentanyl
Q: What is fentanyl used for?
A: Fentanyl is primarily used to treat severe pain, especially in cases of cancer or postoperative pain management.
Q: What are the dangers of buying fentanyl without a prescription?
A: Buying fentanyl illegally can lead to serious health risks, including overdose, dependency, and legal repercussions.
Q: Can I get fentanyl patches over the counter?
A: No, fentanyl patches are prescription-only medications due to their strength and potential for misuse.
Conclusion
In summary, it is illegal and highly unsafe to ask “can I buy fentanyl without a prescription”. Anyone in need of pain management should seek guidance from a medical professional to ensure safe and effective treatment.
