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Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Studies have shown that fentanyl test strips can increase awareness and lead to safety precautions to help prevent an overdose. The Senate subcommittee did not look closely at darknet sites, the investigator told me, because they found so much on the open web. The Senate investigator said Chinese authorities might have been lax in shutting down these websites in the past because opioid overdoses are not as big of a problem in that country as they are in the United States. But the investigator anticipates stricter enforcement to come. Michael Gilbert, an independent researcher who has studied darknet drug markets, said that not only do individual users buy drugs on the darknet, so do dealers who go on to resell the drug in their local area.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is typically prescribed for severe pain relief, such as in cases of cancer or after surgery. However, illicit fentanyl has become a major concern due to its high potency and potential for overdose.
Buying Fentanyl Pills Online
Unfortunately, there are illegal online pharmacies that sell fentanyl pills without a prescription. It is extremely dangerous to purchase fentanyl from these sources, as the drug may be counterfeit, laced with other substances, or have incorrect dosages. Additionally, buying fentanyl online without a prescription is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences.
Avoid An Overdose
No drug is completely safe and there is always a risk of overdose. Health and Wellness Services provides an educational and non-judgmental environment for students to learn more about harm reduction strategies and life-saving measures. Talk to your student about the signs of a potential overdose and encourage them to call for help anytime someone is passed out or unresponsive. Students may be protected by the CU Boulder Amnesty Policy and 911 Good Samaritan Law if they call for help in a drug- or alcohol-related emergency. Here are some additional tips you can share with your student to help keep them safer.
Legal Ways to Obtain Fentanyl Pills
If you have a legitimate need for fentanyl pills, it is important to obtain them through legal channels. Here are some ways to do so:
- Consult with a healthcare provider: If you have severe pain that requires fentanyl medication, talk to your doctor about getting a prescription.
- Visit a licensed pharmacy: Once you have a prescription, fill it at a reputable pharmacy to ensure that you are receiving genuine fentanyl pills.
- Participate in a pain management program: Some healthcare facilities offer pain management programs that may include fentanyl therapy under the supervision of medical professionals.
What Does Illicit Fentanyl Look Like?
Thankfully, despite the fact that technically, fentanyl test strips have been illegal, they have been relatively available through harm-reduction organizations and substance-use-disorder treatment organizations. It’s been a great resource to be able to offer those to people and to start a conversation about understanding contamination and the risks of unintentional overdose. In addition to naloxone (e.g., Narcan), fentanyl test strips are a proven way to help reduce overdoses and death as a result of fentanyl. Of course, the safest option is not to use illegal drugs at all or to seek out a drug addiction treatment program if you need help stopping. But if you’re going to use street drugs, testing them for fentanyl first might save your life. Xylazine is being incorporated into the illicit drug supply and is now geographically spread throughout the United States.
- Fentanyl, which is 50 times as potent as heroin, laces many batches of heroin and cocaine, and it is now involved in at least half of all opioid overdose deaths.
- Naloxone blocks the brain’s opioid receptors and restores normal breathing in people who have overdosed on fentanyl, heroin or prescription painkillers.
- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reports that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills its laboratory analyzed in 2022, six out of ten contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
- “We have sources trying to give us 20,000 pills when we only want to actually buy 1,000,” said Schultz, who works undercover, in an email to the Standard.
- They think they are buying – perhaps they’re aware they’re buying fentanyl; they end up with a mixture of fentanyl and Xylazine.
FAQs
Q: Can I buy fentanyl pills over the counter?
California Experiments With Distributing Fentanyl Tests
A: No, fentanyl pills are a prescription medication and cannot be purchased over the counter. You must have a valid prescription from a healthcare provider to obtain fentanyl legally.
These labs are not being run by individuals with an interest in quality control and scientific measures. If you are in a place where someone might have used drugs, there are simple steps you can take to further protect your health. 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. An investigator on the committee, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the findings, said these represent a tiny fraction of the hundreds of fentanyl-selling sites on the web. Explore our resource library for practical resources to promote the health and dignity of people affected by drug use. You’ll find up-to-date fact sheets, webinars, manuals, training guides, and more.
Q: Are there any alternatives to fentanyl for pain relief?
A: Yes, there are other medications and treatments available for pain relief, depending on the severity and cause of your pain. Talk to your doctor to explore alternative options.
5 grams of fentanyl is enough to provide a lethal dose to 2500 adult male’s. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.
It is crucial to prioritize safety and legality when it comes to obtaining fentanyl pills. Always consult with a healthcare professional and follow their guidance to ensure that you are using fentanyl safely and responsibly.
