Do People Buy Fentanyl? An In-Depth Look at the Opioid Crisis

Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, has been making headlines in recent years due to its role in the ongoing opioid crisis. With overdose deaths on the rise, many people are wondering: do people buy fentanyl? The answer is yes, and it’s a problem that’s only getting worse.

• Lack of oxygen flow to the brain can lead to coma, permanent brain damage and death.
• When you use alcohol, you know when you’re ordering a glass of wine, a beer, or a cocktail.
• They might be taking stronger opioids than their bodies are used to and can be more likely to overdose.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl Analogs

Those dying with synthetic opioids but not heroin appear to be less likely to also have methadone or other commonly prescribed opioids present. Young people may unknowingly buy drugs they believe to be something else, but often these other substances are being mixed with fentanyl, which can be deadly. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been prevalent in the northeastern region of the US since 2017, but it did not become prevalent in Oregon until 2019. Since then, law enforcement seizures of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl have grown dramatically in Oregon.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is typically used to treat severe pain, such as that experienced by cancer patients. However, it has also become a popular street drug due to its potency and low cost.

What Are Opioids?

How is Fentanyl Used?

Fentanyl can be taken in a number of ways, including injection, snorting, smoking, or swallowing. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, to increase their potency. This is particularly dangerous, as users may not be aware that they are taking fentanyl and may overdose as a result.

Who is Buying Fentanyl?

Who Is At Risk For A Fentanyl Overdose?

Consider carrying Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses fentanyl overdoses. Learn more about responding to suspected drug overdoses on OHA’s Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose webpage (link). There is a fatal overdose in Colorado every 4 hours, 45 minutes and 9 seconds. Stop the Clock connects community members with pharmacies and other sites that offer naloxone. While fentanyl can be lethal, there are things you can do to help protect yourself and your friends. Here are some tips and strategies you can use to prevent accidental overdoses.

Fentanyl is often bought by individuals who are already struggling with addiction to other opioids. However, it is also becoming increasingly popular among young people who are looking for a cheap and powerful high. In many cases, these individuals are unaware of the risks associated with fentanyl use.

Why is Fentanyl So Dangerous?

Fentanyl is incredibly potent, and even small amounts can be deadly. It is also highly addictive, which can lead to a cycle of abuse and dependence. Additionally, because fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, users may not be aware of the true strength of the substance they are taking, increasing the risk of overdose.

These labs are not being run by individuals with an interest in quality control and scientific measures. In another drug-checking approach that would provide more information about the content of drugs, the Bruker Alpha machine might be useful at a fixed or secured mobile location, with trained personnel to interpret the scans. We investigated three available technologies to provide people who use drugs with information that could save their lives.

What Can Be Done to Address the Fentanyl Crisis?

Addressing the fentanyl crisis will require a multi-faceted approach. This includes increasing access to addiction treatment and recovery services, improving education and awareness about the risks of fentanyl use, and strengthening laws and regulations around the production and distribution of the drug. It will also require a commitment to addressing the root causes of addiction, such as poverty, trauma, and mental illness.

FAQs

• Is fentanyl legal? No, fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and is only available by prescription.
• How is fentanyl produced? Fentanyl is typically produced in illegal laboratories, often using precursor chemicals that are imported from other countries.

Use the map below to find an organization or vending machine offering free fentanyl test strips near you or view a spreadsheet of all the locations (Excel). 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.

• Can fentanyl be detected in a drug test? Yes, fentanyl can be detected in a drug test, but it may require a specialized test.

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. Please note the Health Department does not supply fentanyl test strips to training attendees. The Works Program is a free, legal and anonymous harm reduction program that provides free supplies, disposal programs and referrals. Their goal is to reduce the rsiks of disease and overdose deaths across Boulder County communities.

• What should I do if I or someone I know is struggling with fentanyl addiction? Seek professional help immediately. There are many resources available to help individuals overcome addiction, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment.

Keeping it on hand could mean the difference between life and death — for you or someone else. Naloxone is available at many pharmacies in Texas without a prescription. Illegally manufactured fentanyl is found in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and in counterfeit pills.

In conclusion, the question “do people buy fentanyl?” is a complex one, with no easy answers. However, by increasing awareness and education about the risks of fentanyl use, and by committing to addressing the root causes of addiction, we can work towards a future where fentanyl is no longer a threat to our communities.