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Only one participant had received OEND training prior to enrollment in the study. Most reported using drugs for two decades or more (mean 24 years, s.d. 13.6 years). Among the nine participants who reported no opioid use, 8 used crack cocaine and 1 used methamphetamine. An additional six participants reported regular opioid use in combination with at least one stimulant. Those who reported regular crack cocaine use, either alone or in combination with opioids, had the longest drug using careers among the sample.
- You cannot smell or taste fentanyl, so consider carrying Fentanyl Test Strips to prevent ingestion.
- With the opioid crisis, much of the public health response has understandably focused on people who use opioids, but recent drug market trends require a shift in thinking and framing.
- Other types of organizations are expected to be eligible to participate in the program in future phases.
- The test strips can be used to test injectable drugs, powders and pills.
A local woman wants more people in the Dayton area to know about low-price test strips that detect fentanyl in street drugs, and proponents say could help opioid abusers avoid fatal overdoses. In 2016, drug overdose deaths exceeded 64,000 in the United States, driven by a sixfold increase in deaths attributable to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. It’s important to make sure people know about fentanyl test strips because, if they’re buying a substance off the streets of Philly, they should assume there is fentanyl present in it. It only takes a few minutes to use fentanyl test strips so people can make informed choices for safer use. One man from West Philly even shared that he overdosed from taking a pill he thought was Percocet but happened to contain fentanyl.
What Should You Ask Your Health Care Professional Before Taking Opioids?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is often used to treat severe pain, but it has also become a popular drug of abuse due to its potency and availability. However, buying fentanyl is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous due to the high risk of overdose and other health complications.
The Dangers of Buying Fentanyl
Take Action: Test For Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a highly potent drug that can cause serious harm or even death if not taken correctly. When bought illegally, there is no way to know the exact strength or purity of the drug, making it easy to overdose. Fentanyl can also be mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, which can increase the risk of overdose and other health complications.
Buying fentanyl also puts individuals at risk of criminal charges and legal consequences. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is illegal to possess or distribute without a valid prescription.
Fentanyl Common Questions
Where Do People Buy Fentanyl?
Despite the dangers and legal consequences, people still buy fentanyl illegally through various means. Some of the most common ways include:
- Online markets: The internet has made it easier for people to buy illegal drugs, including fentanyl. Online markets, also known as “darknet” markets, are websites that operate on the dark web and require special software to access. These markets sell a variety of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, and often use cryptocurrency for transactions to maintain anonymity.
- Dealers: Fentanyl can also be bought from street-level dealers or through drug trafficking organizations. These sources may be more difficult to track down, but they still pose the same risks and dangers as buying from any other illegal source.
- Prescription forgery: Some people may try to obtain fentanyl through prescription forgery or by stealing prescription pads. This is not only illegal but also puts individuals at risk of harm if they take a dose that is too high or if they mix it with other drugs.
This trend is likely to continue because of shifts in the drug market; if FCS continues to increase, Black people are likely to be disproportionately impacted. For example, excluding Native American people, White people report greater opioid misuse than people of color, but Black people report more crack cocaine use than White or Latino people (SAMHSA, 2018). Therefore, it is crucial that harm reduction programs reach people of color who use drugs as evidenced by our findings. Peer-based harm reduction programs have successfully reached Black communities in Baltimore and this approach may help reach Black and Latino people who use drugs (Owczarzak et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Buying fentanyl is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous due to the high risk of overdose and other health complications. It is important to understand the risks and dangers associated with buying and using this drug and to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. If you or someone you know needs help, contact a healthcare professional or a substance abuse treatment center for assistance.
