Fentanyl test strips do not provide information about the amount or strength of fentanyl in a drug supply. Synthetic opioid overdose mortality among young adults has risen more than 300% in the USA since 2013, primarily due to the contamination of heroin and other drugs with illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Rapid test strips, which can be used to detect the presence of fentanyl in drug samples (before use) or urine (after use), may help inform people about their exposure risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether young adults who use drugs were willing to use rapid test strips as a harm reduction intervention to prevent overdose.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used to treat severe pain. However, it is also a highly addictive and dangerous drug when misused or taken improperly. Due to its potency and potential for abuse, there are strict regulations surrounding the sale and distribution of fentanyl.
Lower Your Risk Of Overdose
Is it Legal to Buy Fentanyl?
- The number of overdose deaths in the U.S. from synthetic opioids doubled from 2016 to 2017.
- A negative result does not guarantee that your drug sample is free from all synthetic opioids.
- Small variations in the quantity or quality of fentanyl in a fake prescription pill can accidentally create a lethal dosage.
- For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl.
- A new study, authored by a group of scientists from Brown University, Boston University, and the University of British Columbia, provides support for the idea that test strips could be a potent tool in the fight against fentanyl.
Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in most countries, including the United States. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and can only be obtained with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Delaware’s Good Samaritan Law offers criminal and civil protection for individuals acting in good faith to assist someone who has overdosed on drugs or alcohol. Some states consider them drug paraphernalia (items you need to consume drugs). For example, fentanyl test strips remain illegal in Texas despite their ability to save lives by preventing fatal overdoses.
What Is Fentanyl?
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Legally?
- Pharmacies: Fentanyl can be legally purchased at pharmacies with a prescription from a doctor.
- Hospitals: Healthcare providers may administer fentanyl to patients in a hospital or clinical setting.
The tests are highly sensitive, so a minimal amount is needed to detect the presence of fentanyl. Add water to the container and mix it with your drugs, using the same drug-to-water ratio and following the same steps mentioned previously. While regular opioid users are at highest risk for overdose, consuming any form of fentanyl poses a significant risk for overdose. Because Fentanyl is strong and often hidden in other substances, accidental overdose can occur quickly and unexpectedly. The illicit trade in fentanyl – a powerful opioid between 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine – is a deadly enterprise that spans organized crime groups in China, Mexico and much of the western world. And in 2023, American enforcement agencies seized enough fentanyl to kill every citizen of the United States.
The drug user in Texas said he first began using opioids when a doctor prescribed him hydrocodone for a bad cough he had as a teenager. He progressed to prescription painkillers, and then, when they became too expensive, to heroin. According to the report, most of this fentanyl originates in China. China has cracked down on fentanyl and some of its subtypes, or analogues, but the online dealers often tweak the formulas of their drugs slightly to stay ahead of bans. For example, when China announced it would ban one fentanyl product, called U-47700, on July 1, one fentanyl dealer advertised a “hot sale” of the product through June. “All must go till 1 of July,” the “special offer” read, according to the report.
Will They Save My Loved One’s Life?
Is it Safe to Buy Fentanyl Online?
“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. Additional fentanyl test kits and doses of NARCAN® will be purchased and distributed with funds made available from the National Prescription Opiate Litigation settlement funds. Fentanyl may also be cross-contaminating other drugs as they are stored or trafficked. Partnership to End Addiction is here if you need help thinking this through. We can share suggestions on how to talk about test strips with your loved one and other ways to reduce risks. While there are advocacy efforts underway to legalize test strips in all states, at present, it’s best to check out the laws in the state where a loved one resides.
It is never safe to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. There are many illicit websites that sell counterfeit or dangerous versions of the drug, which can have serious health consequences.
How to Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction
If you or someone you know is struggling with a fentanyl addiction, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction treatment center. Treatment options may include therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups.
Final Thoughts
Fentanyl is a potent opioid that should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and dangerous, so it is important to follow the proper channels for obtaining this medication.
