Understanding the Demand for Fentanyl
The question of do people buy fentanyl is a complex one that reflects the broader issues surrounding drug use and addiction. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that has garnered significant attention due to its role in the opioid crisis.
So a whole-of-government approach against these organizations, not against just the specific substance, would perhaps further advance U.S. policy. Fentanyl today is killing more Americans than – between the age of 18 and 49 – than any other public health issues. But as I mentioned, this situation is not just confined to the United States. Fentanyl is a very significant challenge in Canada as well, and it is a very significant and spreading challenge in Mexico.
Toxicological data in overdose cases clearly show an increasing presence of fentanyl in heroin overdose cases [1, 3, 6, 7]. A key insight that is usually missing from these data, however, is whether the use of fentanyl with other substances was intentional or unintentional. Systematic data on fentanyl contamination of the illicit drug supply in the USA are lacking [8, 9]. Unintentional use of fentanyl through contamination of the drug supply is believed to be a major contributor to the surge in overdoses [10].
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl can kill you within a matter of 2 minutes, usually due to respiratory failure (breathing that has stopped). Lawmakers in Texas have recently tried to tackle the state’s overdose problem by aggressively attacking fentanyl distribution and use by means of enforcement and awareness. Opium derived from poppies has long been used as a painkiller and recreational drug. Opioids like fentanyl or oxycodone are chemical concoctions that duplicate those effects.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed for severe pain, often in cases such as surgery recovery or cancer treatment. However, due to its strength and the potential for misuse, it has become a substance of interest in illegal markets.
Reasons People Buy Fentanyl
The Food and Drug Administration has warned that deaths and overdoses have occurred in people using both the brand-name product Duragesic and generic transdermal fentanyl patches. Most recently, it warned that children are at particular risk for accidental death from exposure. In this article, we will discuss the medical uses of fentanyl and its side effects. We will also cover misuse of fentanyl, addiction, and the risk of overdose. It is time to stop setting up law enforcement for failure by asking the impossible and instead embrace its vital role in cutting illicit drug market-related violence, disorder and corruption.
- Medical Use: Individuals with chronic pain may seek prescriptions for fentanyl.
- Recreational Use: Some users may buy fentanyl illegally to experience its euphoric effects.
- Accessibility: Fentanyl is often easier to obtain than other opioids due to illegal drug trade.
- Cost: Fentanyl can be less expensive than other street drugs, making it appealing.
Because it has already been absorbed through the skin, fentanyl can continue to be effective for 13–24 hours after the patch is removed. However, this depends on how each person’s skin absorbs the drug. Naloxone is available at pharmacies across the state at low or no cost; naloxone kits and training sessions are available upon request. In fact, as the study has continued, we have found participants endorsing fentanyl use, based on the working assumption that drugs they used were likely contaminated.
Pharmaceutical opioids have never been studied for long periods of use. Fentanyl and its equivalents (analogues) are controlled under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Activities such as sale, possession and production are illegal, unless authorized for medical, scientific or industrial purposes. Reports indicate that the euphoria from fentanyl is less than with heroin or morphine. In non-medical situations, you will experience a quick rush of well-being (euphoria) when fentanyl is injected, smoked, snorted or ingested in high doses. Recently, a group of investigators with the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations Googled “buy fentanyl online” on the open internet, then homed in on the six sites that were most responsive to their requests.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain-management treatment of cancer patients. Illicitly manufactured, fentanyl is added to heroin, which is then disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users don’t realize that the heroin they are purchasing may contain fentanyl — which often results in overdose deaths. The term ‘fentanyl-involved’ reflects an important characteristic of illicit fentanyl use, which is that it frequently occurs in the context of polysubstance use. National data from patients entering substance use treatment in 2022 indicate that 95% of people testing positive for heroin and 57% of people testing positive for methamphetamine also tested positive for fentanyl [5].
Why Is Fentanyl Being Added To Street Drugs?
Illegal Purchase and Distribution
- Pharmaceutical opioids have never been studied for long periods of use.
- “It’s stronger than your willpower,” he said of the drug’s pull.
- Overdose deaths usually lead to investigation by law enforcement, which is bad for business and can often result in the dealer’s arrest.
- One such individual was a 49-year-old Ohioan who sent roughly $2,500 to an online seller over the course of 10 months—from May 2016 to February 2017.
- Physicians like me have seen a rise in unintentional fentanyl use from people buying prescription opioids and other drugs laced, or adulterated, with fentanyl.
The availability of fentanyl on the black market raises serious concerns. Many illicitly manufactured fentanyl products are mixed with other drugs, often without users’ knowledge, leading to a higher risk of overdose.
The Risks Involved
Purchasing fentanyl comes with significant dangers, including:
- Overdose Risk: Even a small amount can lead to a fatal overdose.
- Contamination: Illegally purchased fentanyl may be mixed with other substances.
- Legal Consequences: Buying fentanyl illegally can lead to criminal charges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can people get fentanyl prescribed by a doctor?
Yes, physicians can prescribe fentanyl for severe pain management.
2. Is fentanyl only available illegally?
No, it is available legally through prescriptions but is also commonly found on the black market.
3. Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
Its high potency increases the risk of severe respiratory depression and overdose, leading to death.
4. What should one do if they suspect someone is using fentanyl?
Seek help from health professionals or addiction specialists who can provide resources and support.
Conclusion
To sum up, the inquiry of do people buy fentanyl highlights the dual nature of this drug as both a legitimate medical tool and a dangerously misused substance. The importance of awareness about its risks and the necessity for effective addiction support systems cannot be overstated.
