What Does Illicit Fentanyl Look Like?
Understanding Fentanyl
Ideally, it’s best to use them every time you use, but it may not be realistic for everyone. 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.
You cannot smell or taste fentanyl, so consider carrying Fentanyl Test Strips to prevent ingestion. 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 is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat severe pain, particularly in cancer patients or after surgery.
While pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed for severe pain and end of life care, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is produced illicitly and is now common in the illicit drug supply. The presence of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl in New York City has dramatically increased the number of overdose deaths, and fentanyl is now the most common drug involved in overdose deaths. In 2020, 1,580 New Yorkers died from a fentanyl-involved overdose.
If you need fentanyl test strips for personal use, you can find a list of community organizations that provide them at no cost below. You can also find test strips at some of the Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs on this list. Fentanyl is a strong medicine made from opioids (chemicals used to treat sudden and ongoing pain). It’s up to 100 times stronger than other opioids like morphine, heroin, or oxycodone. Any drug in any form (powder, pill) you get from a dealer, friend or an online source could have fentanyl in it. You can’t smell or taste fentanyl and fake pills made from fentanyl can look like real pills from a pharmacy.
However, it has gained notoriety due to its potency and associated risks, which have significantly contributed to the opioid crisis.
Many street drugs have been found to contain fentanyl, which has become a leading cause of overdose death. Community Overdose Prevention Education relies on implementing harm reduction strategies to help save lives. By supplying resources like naloxone kits, response training, fentanyl test strips, and confidential hotlines, we can reduce overdoses throughout New York State together. Project COPE is focusing efforts on four high-risk and underserved populations. Overdose rates have increased significantly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Persons who use drugs (PWUD), healthcare professionals, and the community must understand there is a significant risk of overdose when using opioids, stimulants, and other illicit drugs, as they may be mixed with fentanyl.
Offers support for people seeking recovery or support from alcoholism. Explore this page to connect with LGBTQ-affirming programs and resources for recovery and support. Too many people in our community are disproportionately affected by substance use disorder. Naloxone works on ALL types of opioids, no matter how strong. You might need more doses if one doesn’t work after 2-3 minutes. Rescue breaths are one of the most important steps you can take while waiting for the person to breath on their own.
The tests also check for many variations of fentanyl known as analogs. 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.
Legal Aspects of Fentanyl
Before considering how to buy fentanyl, it’s essential to understand the legal implications:
- Prescription Required: Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in many countries, including the United States. This means it is illegal to buy without a prescription.
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing fentanyl illegally can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Medical Use of Fentanyl
If you are a patient in need of fentanyl for legitimate medical reasons, follow these steps:
- Consult a Healthcare Provider: Schedule an appointment to discuss your pain management options.
- Receive a Prescription: If deemed necessary, your healthcare provider will prescribe fentanyl in a suitable form, such as patches or lozenges.
- Locate a Pharmacy: Use a licensed pharmacy to fill your prescription legally.
Risks and Side Effects
Using fentanyl, even when prescribed, carries certain risks:
- Dependency and Addiction
- Respiratory depression
- Overdose
It is crucial to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and monitor for any adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy fentanyl online?
Purchasing fentanyl online without a prescription is illegal and highly dangerous. Many online sources may sell counterfeit products that could be harmful.
What should I do if I have concerns about fentanyl use?
- Counterfeit pills are extremely dangerous because people purchasing them may think they are purchasing legitimate prescription medications.
- The subsequent surge of euphoria and relaxation fuels the need for more and more.
- For more information on how to use Fentanyl safely, check out these Fentanyl Use & Overdose Prevention Tips.
- In medical settings, fentanyl is used to treat patients in severe pain, such as people just out of surgery.
Speak with your healthcare provider or a substance abuse counselor for guidance and support.
What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Common signs include:
- Unresponsiveness
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Pinpoint pupils
If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical help immediately.
Conclusion
Understanding how to buy fentanyl involves recognizing the legalities and medical necessities associated with this potent drug.
Always prioritize safety and legality by consulting healthcare professionals and adhering to prescribed dosages.
