Risk Factors
Understanding the Dangers of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than morphine. It is often prescribed for severe pain management, especially in patients who are tolerant to other opioids. However, the misuse and illicit production of fentanyl have led to a rising number of overdoses and fatalities.
Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list. FTS may result in false positives or false negatives from manufacturing errors or if you do not follow instructions like diluting more when testing for the type of drug you are using. New strips designed for harm reduction purposes have been created, since the original forensics application made this pretty challenging. Too many people in our community are disproportionately affected by substance use disorder.
Be aware that it may take more than one dose of naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. The Food & Drug Administration issued a letter to healthcare professionals (link) in November 2022 to provide clinical information about the risks of xylazine exposure in humans, possible withdrawal symptoms, and considerations for medical care. Xylaxine is a powerful non-opioid sedative used in veterinary medicine. When fentanyl or other opioids are mixed with xylazine, the effects on breathing can be life-threatening. If you have questions about a fentanyl prescription that you received from a healthcare provider, talk to your pharmacist or primary care provider.
- Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery.
- Other novel synthetic opioids (e.g., U-47,700, AP-237) represented 22% of these listings for an average of 6.1kgs per crawl with 97.2% of listings advertised as shipped from China.
- This is especially concerning as the world grows increasingly reliant on the internet for access to health care and public health information.
- They say fentanyl is selling for anywhere from 50 cents to $5 a pill, depending on location and dealer-user relationships.
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, created in laboratories in the 1960’s as a potent pain reliever for very specific circumstances.
Where to Buy Fentanyl Online
In 2021, 64 other companies were identified as committing the same crime. In December 2021, the US government imposed sanctions on four Chinese companies accused of selling precursor chemicals used for fentanyl production. The most prominent among them was Hebei Atun Trading, which sells these products on its webpage under Mexico Hot Sell, Milenio reports. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues (some stronger than fentanyl, some weaker) are not “naloxone resistant.” They are opioids and will respond to naloxone if someone is overdosing. Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that has been used in clinical settings since 1968. Fentanyl test strips are an important tool for identifying fentanyl in a pill or powder, which can help prevent an opioid-involved overdose.
When searching for information on where to buy fentanyl online, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and legality. Purchasing fentanyl from unregulated sources poses serious health risks and legal consequences. Here are some options people may consider, along with the associated risks:
- Legitimate Pharmacies: Online pharmacies that require a valid prescription. Always check for proper licensing.
- Black Market: Illegally sourced fentanyl can be found on the dark web, posing significant health risks.
- Illicit Suppliers: Websites may claim to sell fentanyl, but these products are often counterfeit and dangerous.
It’s also important for the person experiencing an overdose not to take any more drugs or alcohol within (at least) a three hour period. If you are unable to seek medical assistance, and can not stay with the person yourself, ensure they are in the company of an individual who is aware of the situation and has more naloxone. As noted in the Executive Order, fentanyl now contributes to 94 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths and, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 81 percent of drug overdose deaths overall. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have increased alarmingly in recent years, from nine deaths in 2012 to 979 in 2020.
When you use an illegal drug, there’s no guarantee that it contains what the dealer or person who gave it to you says it does. 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. Fentanyl test strips aren’t legal everywhere because some states consider them to be drug paraphernalia (items you need to do drugs). But a growing number of health and public policy experts are supporting their use along with other harm-reduction strategies. Investigators started by Googling “fentanyl for sale” and then emailing sellers from six different websites as they posed as first-time buyers.
Fentanyl is the central chemical in a family of over twenty analogues; it is a synthetic opioid with potent μ-receptor activity, registering 30–50 times more potent by weight compared with heroin (lead author calculation). In Philadelphia, fentanyl is often found in heroin and pressed pills (Xanax, oxys, percs) and could contaminate other drugs like cocaine, crack, and other stimulants. If you are around people or situations where an opioid overdose may occur, such as someone in your family uses opioids, you can become trained on how to administer it and have some on hand in case there is an overdose. Free naloxone nasal spray is being provided to individuals in the community and first responders to help combat the opioid crisis and reverse overdose deaths. Prices were converted from Bitcoin (BTC) to U.S. dollars according to the BTC-$US conversion rate on the day DreamMarket was crawled. Listings offering free drug samples were excluded when calculating the average price.
In addition, we looked at how the social media platform Pinterest, which has 478 million users, is preventing pro-drug content on its platform. For example, on March 4, 2022, authorities in Portland, Oregon, confiscated 150,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and twenty pounds of fentanyl powder. According to KGW, it is the largest drug seizure in Oregon’s history. Since our February 17, 2022, Overwatch brief on the fentanyl crisis, the problem persists throughout communities nationwide. In addition, law enforcement agencies are seizing historical levels of the deadly drug. Carfentanil—whose median October price from the companies below was $3,700 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) —is banned from general use in the United States, where it is suspected in hundreds of overdoses .
Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
Purchasing fentanyl online can lead to various risks:
- Health Risks: Counterfeit or contaminated drugs can have fatal consequences.
- Legal Consequences: Buying prescription drugs without a prescription is illegal.
- Lack of Quality Control: Illegally sold fentanyl may not be properly dosed or safe.
FAQs About Fentanyl
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain, often in cases of cancer or after surgeries. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
What are the Signs of Fentanyl Overdose?
Signs may include:
- Respiratory depression
- Unconsciousness
- Pale or clammy skin
- Cold body temperature
What Should I Do in Case of an Overdose?
If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl, call emergency services immediately and, if available, administer naloxone (Narcan).
Is it Safe to Use Fentanyl as Prescribed?
When used under medical supervision and as prescribed, fentanyl can be safe. However, misuse or extended use can lead to dependency and overdose.
Final Thoughts
While searching for where to buy fentanyl online, remember the importance of safety, legality, and health. Opt for reputable medical advice and never compromise on your well-being by purchasing drugs from unreliable sources.
