Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking opioid receptors, which prevents opioids from binding to them. Note that some non-opioids, such as cocaine, have been found to contain fentanyl (an opioid) in Denver. Therefore, DDPHE encourages anyone who uses illicit substances and/or may be in the position to respond to an overdose to carry naloxone, regardless if they intend to use an opioid. Local Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs or OOPPs connect New Yorkers with naloxone, naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and safe syringe access and disposal services. A lethally potent drug is driving the rapid rise in overdose deaths, killing thousands of people who don’t even know they’ve taken it. It can be used to save the life of someone experiencing a fentanyl-related overdose.
High Willingness To Use Rapid Fentanyl Test Strips Among Young Adults Who Use Drugs
By testing their drugs, people can know what they’re taking and take steps to be safer, like getting Narcan. Some people may also prefer to take an “upper” like cocaine or methamphetamine mixed with a “downer” like fentanyl for the combined effects. UC San Francisco Volunteer Assistant Clinical Professor in Clinical Pharmacy Tessa Rife-Pennington, PharmD, BCGP, works at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and with UCSF’s Addiction Research Program.
- Because fentanyl is so potent, its use in people who are naïve to fentanyl use can quickly lead to overdose and death.
- It may be laced into other illegal street drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, fake opioid pills, or methamphetamine (“meth”).
- TTOR’s mission is to save lives and provide lifelong support to Texans with opioid and stimulant use disorders by expanding access to prevention services, integrated services, treatment services and recovery support services.
- Access this directory of Washington State syringe exchange programs.
- However, many states are changing their policies to help prevent opioid overdoses and save lives.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used to treat severe pain, often in patients who have developed a tolerance to other opioids. It is up to 100 times stronger than morphine and is highly addictive. Because of its potency, fentanyl is a popular drug for those seeking a strong high, but it is also extremely dangerous and can easily lead to overdose and death.
California Is Now Paying For People To Test Their Drugs For Fentanyl
Is it Legal to Buy Fentanyl?
No, it is not legal to buy fentanyl without a prescription. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States, which means that it has a high potential for abuse and is only available through a prescription from a licensed medical professional. Possession of fentanyl without a valid prescription is a felony and can result in serious legal consequences.
Illegally Manufactured Fentanyl Is Strong And Unevenly Mixed Into Drugs
Participants also received resources which included fentanyl harm reduction suggestions, instructions on how to recognize an opioid overdose, and information on local resources. At the end of the study visit, participants were compensated $25 USD for their time. Although we did not directly seek to recruit only people of color into this study, our sample was comprised entirely of people of color. While Black and White people are equally as likely to witness an overdose, Black people are less likely to have access to or be trained to use naloxone (Dayton et al., 2020). Even though most had witnessed at least one overdose in the past, only one participant in this sample had ever received OEND training. This trend is likely to continue because of shifts in the drug market; if FCS continues to increase, Black people are likely to be disproportionately impacted.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl?
Xylazine use can lead to unresponsiveness, forgetfulness or memory loss, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and reduced breathing. Xylazine can also cause wounds and may lead to life-threatening infections that can cause conditions like endocarditis and sepsis. These wounds have been reported from injecting, smoking, and snorting xylazine, and they can develop quickly. Xylazine wounds can take a long time to heal and require prolonged medical care. If you have questions about a fentanyl prescription that you received from a healthcare provider, talk to your pharmacist or primary care provider. If you need fentanyl test strips for personal use, you can find a list of community organizations that provide them at no cost below.
You cannot legally buy fentanyl without a prescription from a licensed medical professional. Attempting to buy fentanyl on the street or from an illegal online pharmacy is extremely dangerous and can result in serious legal consequences. Fentanyl sold on the street is often mixed with other substances, such as heroin or cocaine, which can increase the risk of overdose. Additionally, illegal fentanyl may be contaminated with other harmful substances, such as rat poison or fentanyl analogs, which can be even more dangerous.
What Are the Dangers of Buying Fentanyl?
Buying fentanyl illegally is extremely dangerous and can result in serious health consequences, including overdose and death. Fentanyl is a highly potent drug, and even a small amount can be lethal. It is also highly addictive, and those who use it regularly can quickly develop a tolerance, leading to increased use and the risk of overdose. Additionally, illegal fentanyl is often mixed with other substances, which can increase the risk of overdose and other health complications.
Offers support for people seeking recovery from crystal meth addiction. Offers support for people seeking recovery or support from alcoholism. Explore this page to connect with LGBTQ-affirming programs and resources for recovery and support. Too many people in our community are disproportionately affected by substance use disorder.
Conclusion
It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, or made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids. In its liquid form, illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be found in nasal sprays and eye drops, and it can be dropped onto paper or small candies. Only one study participant was concerned about law enforcement and the use of fentanyl test strips, which is surprising given that participants had a median of 10 arrests in Philadelphia. Fentanyl test strips are currently considered paraphernalia under Pennsylvania law, so carrying the strips (unused or not) could present a risk of arrest (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1972). A State Representative in Pennsylvania is in the process of introducing legislation to make carrying fentanyl test strips legal (Struzzi, 2019).
In conclusion, it is not legal to buy fentanyl without a prescription, and attempting to do so is extremely dangerous. Fentanyl is a highly potent and addictive drug that can easily lead to overdose and death. If you are experiencing severe pain, it is important to speak with a licensed medical professional about your treatment options. Do not attempt to self-medicate with fentanyl or any other controlled substance.
