Content
Understanding the Demand for Fentanyl
Thus, these deaths are best described as drug poisonings involving the drug or category of drugs specified. Some brain areas respond by numbing pain, others produce euphoria. Approximately 80 percent of heroin users start with prescription opioids, according to NIDA, though most of that medication wasn’t originally prescribed for them. This surge in illicit fentanyl presents a new challenge for families and medical professionals trying to keep loved ones from the harm of opioid misuse. And it’s unclear if the most validated defense for opioid misuse — medication-assisted therapies like naloxone, methadone and buprenorphine — can stem the surge of overdoses caused by fentanyl. Fentanyl-related overdoses have become the No. 1 cause of death among America’s young adults (18-45), according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
When discussing the issue of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, a common question arises: do people buy fentanyl? The answer to that question is complex and layered, involving various factors including legality, availability, and the ongoing opioid crisis.
Below are recommended actions that different groups can take to address this issue. So far this year, the DEA’s Denver Field Division has seized 1.2 million pills, a number far higher than in years past, and many of them come laced with fentanyl. Besser says this is happening in every corner of the country and affecting millions of kids and teens. We see big rise in meth use in places like Germany, France, Spain.
Mixing fentanyl with other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm. “Because if you’re living in a situation where everyone around you is using heroin or heroin-laced with fentanyl or carfentanil, even if you’re on medication-assisted therapy, it’s just a matter of time before you relapse,” Earley said. In 2002, Chechen terrorists took 800 people hostage in Moscow Theater, and Russian special forces devised a peculiar way to subdue them.
Fentanyl is extraordinarily potent (perhaps 30 to 50 times stronger by weight than the street heroin it is replacing), so the quantities smuggled are tiny compared to the U.S.-Mexican trade within which smuggling is embedded. To put that in perspective, the U.S. imports more than 1,000,000 metric tons of avocados each year from Mexico. Fentanyl and xylazine are harmful additives that can increase the risk of overdose. Drug test strips detect the presence of these additives in the unregulated drug supply. It is possible that stigma led participants to misreport their fentanyl use, even though the study created no incentive to do so. There is a small possibility of false positive UA results, particularly if any participants were taking antipsychotic medication [28].
It’s – the wave of – the emergence, the path of Xylazine is mimicking the early stages of fentanyl about a decade ago with some of the same hotspots. And one of the big issues is whether law enforcement, policy awareness – some policy can halt it from spreading westward. Even so, we are still in a situation where only 13 – 1-3 – percent of people with substance use disorder who want to seek treatment are able to do so. Often people who are able to seek some treatment will run into obstacles with with insurance that stops covering it in a matter of weeks for what needs to be lifelong medical psychosocial support. So progress on the domestic side on how we think about substance use, a very long way to go yet. The reason why we have the ability to reverse so many overdoses is because of buprenorphine.
The Landscape of Fentanyl Use
Binational Border Health
There is separate guidance for employees who may come into contact with fentanyl in their workplace. Identification of fentanyl analogues in the early years of illicit fentanyl distribution may have been incomplete due to lack of familiarity with specific chemicals as well as changes in laboratory testing and reporting procedures. She specifically wants to study how those on medication-assisted therapy respond to safe and controlled doses of fentanyl, similar to work her lab has done in the past. Earley pitched the idea of collecting urine samples from people currently in treatment, recording who is and isn’t consistently positive for fentanyl and tracking their outcomes. This option would be tricky because fentanyl rapidly passes through the body and the screening is expensive. Comer’s clinic has observed similar anecdotes with methadone and buprenorphine too.
Fentanyl is primarily prescribed for severe pain management, often in medical settings. However, it has become notorious for its role in the opioid epidemic due to its potency — approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. This level of strength contributes significantly to its illicit market presence.
That deadly combination has caused fentanyl overdoses to become the No. 1 killer of American adults 18 to 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Like heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, which are found in areas of the brain that control pain and emotions. After taking opioids many times, the brain adapts to the drug, diminishing its sensitivity, making it hard to feel pleasure from anything besides the drug. When people become addicted, drug seeking and drug use take over their lives. While fentanyl continues to be used medically—in microgram doses administered with rigid safeguards—the DEA reports that more than a dozen fentanyl variants are now being produced illegally.
This loss of tolerance occurs in as little as a few days of no opioid use. If the person then uses after their tolerance has decreased, the same amount of fentanyl can potentially lead to an overdose. At PNNL, teams of biologists, chemists, and engineers work every day to solve challenges related to chemical and biological detection and forensics.
Here are some reasons why people may choose to buy fentanyl:
- Prescription Use: Individuals with legitimate medical conditions may be prescribed fentanyl.
- Illicit Use: Many people turn to the black market to obtain fentanyl illegally, often unaware of the risks.
- Tolerance Issues: Those struggling with addiction may seek out fentanyl for its potent effects, especially if they have built a tolerance to other opioids.
- Cost: Fentanyl can be cheaper than other opioids on the street, making it an attractive option for users.
The Risks Associated with Buying Fentanyl
Purchasing fentanyl from illegal sources constitutes a significant health risk, including:
- Overdose Potential: Due to its potency, the risk of overdose is considerably high, leading to fatal outcomes.
- Contaminated Products: Illicit drugs may be mixed with other harmful substances, increasing the risk of harmful reactions.
- Legal Consequences: Buying or possessing fentanyl illegally can lead to serious legal ramifications, including imprisonment.
FAQs about Fentanyl
Q: What is fentanyl used for?
A: Fentanyl is primarily used for treating severe pain, often in patients after surgery or those with chronic pain conditions.
Q: Why is fentanyl so dangerous?
A: Its high potency means that even a small amount can lead to fatal overdose, especially for those not accustomed to opioids.
Q: How can people avoid the risks associated with fentanyl?
A: Awareness and education regarding the dangers of fentanyl, along with seeking help for substance use issues, can mitigate risks. Additionally, individuals should only obtain medications through legitimate prescriptions from healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
- Done correctly, lacing illicit drugs with fentanyl often creates a return stream of customers because fentanyl is considered highly addictive.
- The reality is the more resources that are brought forth, the better the outcome for the communities most affected by opioids.
- The rise in use and overdoses are described as well as some of the reasons for these changes.
- The effectiveness of the drug, combined with user-friendly delivery methods, drew the attention of bad actors seeking to profit from its potency.
In conclusion, the question of do people buy fentanyl touches on a myriad of issues encompassing healthcare, addiction, and public safety. As the opioid crisis evolves, understanding the factors behind the purchase and use of fentanyl is essential in addressing this public health challenge.
