Why Use Test Strips?
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Availability
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, often in cancer patients. However, due to its potency, fentanyl also has a high potential for misuse and is associated with numerous overdoses.
What is Fentanyl?
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. The program not only educates parents and students but also school officials including administrators and teachers. FOX26 News confirmed with Fresno Unified School District beginning this year all middle and high schools will carry Narcan. The reversing agent is administered through a nasal spray reversing the effect of an opioid overdose, in particular, fentanyl. Additionally, Outreach, Screening, Assessment and Referral (OSAR) providers offer Texans comprehensive services for fentanyl and other substance use. Callers speak with a trained counselor who can assess needs and refer them to a variety of services, including in-person and telehealth treatment.
Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Naloxone is an FDA- approved medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. This means it can block opioid receptors in the body and reverse an opioid overdose for minutes. It is a temporary treatment – so you should still call 911 if someone responds to the medicine. Fentanyl has been found in not just heroin, but cocaine, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and other street drugs. Testing every time before you use may not be enough, and some drugs like weed don’t need to be tested at all.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we had more people in the Bay Area die from fentanyl than COVID-19, so fentanyl overdoses are really impacting our community. There are a lot of factors but one reason is that it can be made cheaply. It’s also often made as a white powder, which can easily be mixed or “cut” with other drugs like heroin to make them stronger, allowing people who sell drugs to make more profit. This has long been a fear that if you give people tools to make something safer, they’re going to take greater risk.
Rather than dissolve all of the substance you want to test in water, just put ten milligrams of the drug in a clean, dry container. If you cannot test ten milligrams, at least test a few grains. The tests are highly sensitive, so a minimal amount is needed to detect the presence of fentanyl.
Or you can get the powder back by letting the water evaporate. You can speed up the process by putting the dissolved drugs in a pan in the oven on the lowest setting (maximum of 225 F) while keeping the oven door cracked. When the water evaporates and the pan is cool, you can scrape the residue off with a razor or other sharp item. Use 1 teaspoon of water per every 10 mg of crystal or powder meth, MDMA, or ecstasy to dissolve the drugs in a small container (like a soda bottle cap). If you’re using a different type of drug, use half a teaspoon of water instead. The Rapid Response™ Fentanyl Test Strip Kit (Liquid / Powder) is an easy to use, dipstick test.
Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. It is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. This potency means that even small doses can lead to severe effects, including respiratory depression and overdose.
The only way to know if a drug has been contaminated with it is to test it. 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. Attorney Matt Cronin wonder where all the fentanyl was coming from. The target of an investigation, a low-level drug dealer, had the answer. We want to meet people where they’re at today with their drug use so that we can keep them with us and build that trust.
This project aimed to identify a potential tool they can use to prevent overdose deaths and engage with people who use opioids to help them move toward addiction treatment and other services. A future manuscript will discuss follow-up data and whether knowledge of a drug being contaminated with fentanyl will encourage overdose risk reduction practices. Future research is needed to determine if a higher level of concern about overdose will predict actual rapid test strip utilization or more consistent use patterns. Additional studies are also needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of using immunoassay tests on drugs directly and in real-world, non-clinical settings. Study follow-up is ongoing to determine whether, how, and under what circumstances participants used the rapid test strips and if a positive result contributed to changes in overdose risk behavior.
Can You Buy Fentanyl?
The question, “Can you buy fentanyl?” has significant implications. There are legal and illegal avenues through which it can be procured:
- Legal Purchase: Fentanyl can be legally prescribed by healthcare professionals. It is typically available in the following forms:
- Patches
- Lozenges
- Injectable forms
- Illegal Purchase: Unfortunately, fentanyl is often found on the black market. This illegal production is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis, and it poses severe risks, including:
- Unregulated potency
- High risk of overdose
- Legal consequences
Risks Associated with Buying Fentanyl
Obtaining fentanyl outside of prescribed use poses several risks:
- If a person is not breathing enough, oxygen levels in the blood decrease.
- As a result, fentanyl in illicit drugs changes the landscape of opioid overdose dramatically.
- If you are actively using drugs, testing for HIV and hepatitis C every six months can help keep you healthy.
- Health Risks: Taking fentanyl without medical supervision can lead to serious health issues, including addiction, overdose, and death.
- Legal Risks: Purchasing fentanyl illegally can result in significant legal consequences, including imprisonment.
- Quality Control: Illegally obtained fentanyl may vary in potency and purity, leading to unpredictable effects.
What to Do if You or Someone You Know Needs Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, it is crucial to seek help. There are resources available, including:
- Hotlines (e.g., National Poison Control Center)
- Rehabilitation programs
- Support groups (e.g., Narcotics Anonymous)
FAQs
Q: Is fentanyl only available through a doctor’s prescription?
A: Yes, fentanyl can only be legally acquired through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Q: What should I do if I suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl?
A: Call emergency services immediately and, if available, administer Naloxone (Narcan) to reverse the effects of an overdose.
Q: Can fentanyl be found in street drugs?
A: Yes, fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs, which increases the risk of accidental overdose.
In conclusion, while buying fentanyl may be an option through legal means when prescribed by a healthcare professional, the associated risks and consequences of illegal acquisition far outweigh any perceived benefits. Always prioritize safety and seek professional guidance regarding opioid use.
