Since then, law enforcement seizures of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl have grown dramatically in Oregon. The amount of seized fentanyl in Oregon’s high intensity drug trafficking areas (HIDTA) increased from 690 dosage units (counterfeit pills) in 2018 to more than 2 million in 2022. Fentanyl has now surpassed methamphetamine as the most frequent drug involved in overdose deaths in Oregon.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a highly addictive drug that has been linked to thousands of overdose deaths in recent years. Despite its dangerous nature, some people may be wondering, “Can you buy fentanyl?” The answer is a resounding no. Here’s why:
Fentanyl is a Controlled Substance
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They can be used to test injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Routine testing for xylazine by the Oregon State Medical Examiner began in 2020. Since then, xylazine has been found in a small but increasing amount of overdose deaths in Oregon. In 2020, there were two overdose deaths where xylazine was identified in the toxicology report, followed by nine in 2021 and nine (so far) in 2022. The Oregon Health Authority expects to see a significant increase in xylazine-involved overdose deaths in 2023 once the data are finalized.
Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is subject to strict regulations. It is only available through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Possessing or distributing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
Fentanyl is Highly Dangerous
Free naloxone nasal spray is being provided to individuals in the community and first responders to help combat the opioid crisis and reverse overdose deaths. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times as powerful as morphine and up to 50 times as powerful as heroin. Fentanyl testing strips and related education allows people to better understand their risk of an overdose. But even in the controlled conditions of a hospital, there is still a risk that using fentanyl can reduce breathing rates to dangerously low levels, the main cause of opioid overdose deaths. For those taking fentanyl in nonmedical settings, there is no medical team available to monitor someone’s breathing rate in real time to ensure their safety. Even though it has pharmaceutical uses, illegal fentanyl often gets mixed with heroin or cocaine to increase the drug’s effects.
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Fentanyl is a highly potent drug that can be deadly even in small doses. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, without the user’s knowledge. This can lead to accidental overdoses and death. Fentanyl can also be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, making it even more dangerous.
- It is the primary driver of overdose mortality in Massachusetts and across the nation.
- People who use drugs and people who may witness an overdose should learn what an overdose looks like, carry naloxone, and know how to give naloxone to a person to reverse an opioid overdose.
- You will know it’s ready because the water will be sucked up into the white part of the strip.
- It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids such as oxycodone.
- Fentanyl Test Strips is a drug test strip that is used to identify the presences of Fentanyl and 10 known analogues in unregulated drugs.
There are Legal Alternatives to Fentanyl
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If you are experiencing pain and are in need of medication, there are legal alternatives to fentanyl that are safe and effective. Your healthcare provider can help you determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Cronin told us that Gordon Jin would often slip fentanyl past U.S. Customs by shipping it to a co-conspirator in the United States posing as a legitimate chemical company. Shipments between chemical companies weren’t considered suspicious. But inside, there would be as many as 50 individual drug packages each addressed to the person who’d ordered them.
FAQs
- Can I buy fentanyl online? No, it is illegal to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. Any website that claims to sell fentanyl online is likely a scam and should be avoided.
- Is it safe to use fentanyl that I bought from a friend? No, it is never safe to use fentanyl that has not been prescribed to you by a licensed healthcare provider. Fentanyl is a highly dangerous drug that can cause serious harm or death even in small doses.
- What should I do if I suspect someone is using fentanyl? If you suspect someone is using fentanyl, it is important to seek help immediately. Contact a healthcare provider or a local addiction treatment center for assistance.
We want to meet people where they’re at today with their drug use so that we can keep them with us and build that trust. Then, if and when they want to change their use – maybe stop, reduce or switch to a safer drug – we’re here for them. There are so many stereotypes that deeply impact the way our society thinks about drug use and people who use stigmatized drugs, in particular those from marginalized communities.
In conclusion, the answer to the question “Can you buy fentanyl?” is a clear no. Fentanyl is a highly dangerous and illegal drug that should be avoided at all costs. If you are experiencing pain or addiction issues, there are safe and legal alternatives available. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider for advice and treatment.
