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Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever, has unfortunately become a widely abused drug in recent years. While it is a prescription medication used to treat severe pain, it has also made its way into the illegal drug market, leading to numerous overdose deaths.
Young People And Fentanyl
As of July 2021, FTS are no longer within the legal definition of “drug paraphernalia” in Minnesota and are thus legal to possess, carry, and distribute. The first known xylazine-involved overdose death in Minnesota was in 2019. Since then, the number of xylazine-involved deaths has increased year over year. In 2019, there were four overdose deaths involving xylazine, in 2020 there were eight deaths, and in 2021 there were 24 deaths. So far, in 2022, there have been 34 xylazine-involved deaths in Minnesota. This number may increase as more death reports from 2022 are finalized.
- As fentanyl floods the illicit drug market, the price for a pill has dropped substantially in the past few years.
- The transaction starts with advertising on apps like Instagram or Facebook, public platforms where dealers will post suggestive emojis looking for customers.
- Counterfeit prescription medications, such as a fentanyl-laced Xany-bar or counterfeit Xanax, were reportedly made at a “pill mill” or illegal pill press.
- For comparison, the average price for a gram of heroin was U.S.$206.5 for retail-level and U.S.$32.3 for wholesale-level amounts (Table 3).
- Since then, more than 8,500 people have died of drug overdoses, with last year being the deadliest on record.
- In some states test strips are legal only if they are acquired from harm reduction programs or syringe exchange programs.
For those looking to buy fentanyl online, it is important to note that purchasing this drug without a valid prescription is illegal and highly dangerous. The unregulated nature of online drug sales makes it easy for counterfeit or contaminated fentanyl to be sold, putting consumers at serious risk.
CSU Health Network
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 50 times more powerful than heroin, can be found using a simple internet search. There are indications that this has cut down on the number of sellers. Yet, while reduced, there are still open drug markets on Chinese websites. Compared to the U.S., China has loose regulation of chemical companies and fewer requirements for transparency. Department of Justice announced the first-ever indictments of Chinese nationals accused of shipping large quantities of fentanyl through the mail to international customers, China has been reluctant to take their own enforcement actions.
‘We Are Shipping To The US’: Inside China’s Online Synthetic Drug Networks
Legitimate Sources
If you have a legitimate need for fentanyl and a valid prescription from a healthcare provider, you can purchase this medication from licensed pharmacies or online retailers. It is crucial to only buy fentanyl from reputable sources to ensure your safety and the effectiveness of the medication.
It had the same contact email as Apex and an identical listing for carfentanil. While websites like Flickr, Instagram, and Snapchat are not flagging the solicitation of drugs on their platforms, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Pinterest is making a concerted effort to flag such content. Additionally, Thomas Bills provided a URL to the website for people to purchase the carfentanil powder. Last month, the Canadian government announced $3.5 million in funding to safe supply projects in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto.
Illegal Markets
On the other hand, buying fentanyl from illegal online markets or websites is not only risky but also illegal. These sources often sell counterfeit drugs with unknown ingredients, potency, and purity, which can have deadly consequences.
It is essential to prioritize your health and well-being by avoiding the temptation to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction treatment center for support and guidance.