Harm reduction programs conducting outreach to people who solely use non-opioid drugs should expect low baseline knowledge. Moreover, program staff will need to educate people about how opioids effect the body and how opioids are different from the embodied experiences of other drugs they may be used to. Doing so will equip people who use drugs with risk perceptions aligned with their specific drug practices – in other words, heighten perceived susceptibility while not inducing “fentanyl panic”. Fentanyl test strips are an important tool to help prevent a drug overdose from illegally-made fentanyl, a potent and often deadly opioid. Fentanyl test strips can be used to determine if drugs have been mixed or cut with fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is commonly used for pain management, but it is also frequently abused for its euphoric effects. Due to its high potency, fentanyl can be dangerous and even deadly when misused. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
STEP 1: Preparing And Diluting Your Drugs
Legitimate Sources
One of the primary ways to obtain fentanyl is through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Fentanyl is typically prescribed in the form of transdermal patches, lozenges, or injections for patients with severe or chronic pain. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully when taking fentanyl to avoid potential misuse or overdose.
Fentanyl Testing Kits Could Save Lives, Brown Researchers Say
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The potency and contents of illicit drugs, including IMF, is always changing. This makes it impossible for someone to know the strength or the mixture of substances in their drug product. IMF is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US, including Oregon.
Illicit Sources
Overdose Prevention – Support For Families
Naloxone is a prescription medicine that reverses opioid overdoses. It temporarily blocks the effect of opioids and helps a person to start breathing again. Fentanyl Test Strips (FTS) are a tool to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl, a strong opioid.
- However, keep in mind that these strips may not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs and that a negative result doesn’t ensure safety.
- Working with the nonprofit Code in the Schools, the city in 2017 launched a “bad batch” text alert system, to warn people who use drugs when there is a spike in overdose deaths in a certain area.
- Fentanyl is ending up in many different drugs, but many people aren’t aware, so they’re taking substances they’ve taken for years and unexpectedly overdosing.
- The first time he was caught dealing fentanyl was last August, at the benzo benches in Old Town.
- Naloxone will not cause harm if opioids are not involved in an overdose.
12 KB)Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, “It’s not your fault!” and that they are not alone.
Unfortunately, fentanyl is also available on the black market where it is often mixed with other drugs or sold in counterfeit forms. Buying fentanyl from illicit sources is extremely dangerous and can result in accidental overdose or death. It is illegal to purchase fentanyl without a prescription, and doing so puts both your health and safety at risk.
Mission Bars That Have Fentanyl Test Strips And Narcan
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it legal to buy fentanyl online?
- Can I buy fentanyl from street dealers?
- How can I get help for fentanyl addiction?
Fentanyl testing strips and related education allows people to better understand their risk of an overdose. Through a partnership with StopHIVATL and the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, free fentanyl test strips are available now to stop opioid overdose deaths. When healthcare providers, patients and others work together to support these efforts everyone benefits. Each strategy helps reduce the likelihood of an individual becoming dependent on opioids and reduces the overall access and availability of medication in the community. These strategies work together along with other efforts like education and awareness, coalition building, prescription drug monitoring program and law enforcement. As mentioned above, many drug dealers mix the cheaper fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine to increase their profits, making it often difficult to know which drug is causing the overdose.
No, purchasing fentanyl online without a prescription is illegal and highly dangerous.
According to the CDC, deaths from fentanyl poisoning are fastest growing among 14- to 23-year-olds. The presence of fentanyl both in counterfeit pills and in illicit street drugs poses a grave threat to the safety of teens and adults alike. 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.
Buying fentanyl from street dealers is risky as the drug may be laced with other harmful substances.
One participant was concerned about legal implications from using fentanyl test strips. One unanticipated theme, recognizing an FCS overdose, is also presented here. This fourth wave is particularly concerning because the demographic profile of opioid overdose deaths without the presence of stimulants differs from deaths from opioid overdose deaths involving both opioids and stimulants.
If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, reach out to a healthcare provider or addiction treatment center for assistance.
It is crucial to understand the risks associated with buying fentanyl from unauthorized sources. If you or a loved one is battling fentanyl addiction, seek help immediately to prevent further harm. Remember, there are legitimate and safe ways to access fentanyl under medical supervision.
