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During this same period, the CDC found the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids increased over 56%. Fentanyl test strips can be used to test for the presence of fentanyl in other drugs, such as methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and pressed pills bought on the street. Because fentanyl in the drug supply is undetectable through sight or smell, fentanyl test strips are an important harm reduction tool that can allow drug users to test for the presences of fentanly in other drugs. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It comes in two forms – prescription and illicitly-manufactured. Illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is driving much of the increase in overdoses seen in Minnesota and nationally in recent years.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription medication that is used to treat severe pain, especially after surgery. However, fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and distributed, often in the form of pills, and is a major contributor to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States.
Understanding Fentanyl Pills
Fentanyl pills, also known as “fentanyl analogs” or “fake oxycodone,” are illegally manufactured tablets that contain fentanyl or a fentanyl-related substance. These pills are often made to look like legitimate prescription medications, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or Xanax, and are sold on the street as a cheaper and more accessible alternative to these drugs. However, fentanyl pills are extremely dangerous because they contain a highly potent and potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
Use A Fentanyl Test Strip
The Dangers of Fentanyl Pills
Fentanyl pills are a major public health concern because of their high potency and the risk of overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl was involved in more than 36,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2019, accounting for more than 80% of all synthetic opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl pills are particularly dangerous because they are often laced with other substances, such as heroin or cocaine, which can increase the risk of overdose.
Controversial Tool Emerges In Opioid Fight: Fentanyl Test Strips
Where to Buy Fentanyl Pills
Det. Cardinale describes vaping as the gateway drug that leads to more serious drug use including cocaine and Fentanyl. The vape pens contain THC resin which potentially holds up to 60 percent of THC inside the cartridge. According to the FDA, THC is the abbreviation for the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, which is a psychoactive component or substance of the marijuana plant. He says he has never seen anything like the boom in fentanyl cases here in the San Joaquin Valley.
It is important to note that buying fentanyl pills is illegal and carries serious consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, buying fentanyl pills from an illegal source puts you at risk of receiving a product that is contaminated, mislabeled, or otherwise dangerous. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.
- At the height of addiction, some users are unable to discern risk and are willing to go to any length to obtain the drug, including boiling fentanyl patches to extract the drug for injection or ingestion.
- But once this powder is converted into hundreds of thousands of pills, the street value could soar into the millions of dollars.
- These strips can be a useful harm reduction tool for people who drugs.
- Oregon’s Good Samaritan Law protects both the person who administers naloxone and the person who is overdosing from prosecution.
Illegal Online Marketplaces
Illegal online marketplaces, also known as “darknet markets,” are websites that operate on the dark web and sell illegal drugs, including fentanyl pills. These marketplaces are accessible through special software, such as the Tor browser, and require users to use cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to make purchases. However, buying fentanyl pills from these marketplaces is risky and carries the same dangers as buying from any other illegal source.
Promoting And Protecting The City’s Health
Illicit fentanyl related products are described including the different forms it can appear in. The rise in use and overdoses are described as well as some of the reasons for these changes. Implications for overdose prevention and initiating treatment with medications for opioid use disorder are described. In 2020, over 80% of the fentanyl police confiscated with in tablet form.
Street Dealers
Street dealers are individuals who sell illegal drugs, including fentanyl pills, on the street. These dealers may operate in urban areas, parks, or other public places, and may sell drugs to anyone who is willing to buy. However, buying fentanyl pills from a street dealer is extremely dangerous because there is no way to know the true contents of the pills or the reliability of the dealer.
Friends or Acquaintances
Friends or acquaintances may also be a source of fentanyl pills. However, buying fentanyl pills from someone you know is still illegal and carries the same risks as buying from any other source. Furthermore, buying fentanyl pills from a friend or acquaintance can strain or damage relationships and put both parties at risk of legal consequences.
Conclusion
Fentanyl pills are a major public health concern and are extremely dangerous due to their high potency and the risk of overdose. It is important to avoid buying fentanyl pills from illegal sources, such as street dealers or online marketplaces, as these sources are unreliable and put you at risk of receiving a dangerous product. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional.
