Workplace Health
Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies, like Percocet and Xanax. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These particular pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors.
Partly due to issues like not wanting to waste drugs and not wanting to wait before using drugs, uptake is uneven [11, 25]. Harm reduction providers also caution about the ‘chocolate chip cookie effect,’ where the test strip may not encounter the portion of drug that is contaminated [26]. This could produce a false negative result and, dangerously, a false sense of assurance. The original use of fentanyl test strips was for point-of-care urinalysis [27]. An additional harm reduction option could be for PWUD to test their urine with a fentanyl test strip after consuming drugs, particularly if they suspect think the drugs may have been contaminated.
Understanding the Demand: Do People Buy Fentanyl?
- Three people in San Francisco, for example, died in March 2022 from overdoses after unintentionally consuming fentanyl while using cocaine.
- If parents suspect that their kids are misusing opioids, it would be helpful to have this on hand.
- Xylazine has been found in a growing number of overdose deaths across the country and is commonly encountered in combination with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and a variety of other drugs.
- To learn more about the mixture of fentanyl into other drugs, visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Facts on fentanyl.
This project aimed to identify a potential tool they can use to prevent overdose deaths and engage with people who use opioids to help them move toward addiction treatment and other services. The number of overdose deaths in the U.S. from synthetic opioids doubled from 2016 to 2017. In 2018, 744 people from Washington died from an opioid related overdose and 198 of these deaths included fentanyl. The driving force behind a record-breaking 100,000 overdose deaths per year, fentanyl is now being laced in traditional opioids like oxycodone and heroin, and increasingly, in non-opioids like cocaine and various counterfeit pills.
Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has become a focal point in discussions surrounding drug addiction and overdose crises. While it is primarily prescribed for managing severe pain, the illegal market for fentanyl has surged in recent years. This has led to an alarming question: do people buy fentanyl outside of legal medical channels?
For many people, the best solution for opioid use disorder is medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). That means if you buy things like Percocet, Vicodin or OxyContin you didn’t get from a pharmacy with a prescription, you need to assume they are fakes that contain fatal amounts of fentanyl. This community flyer provides general information about fentanyl and resources to fight the fentanyl crisis. Learn the signs of a fentanyl poisoning and speak with your doctor or pharmacist about obtaining naloxone to carry and keep at home.
Two milligrams of fentanyl, or grains of table salt, can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet. In reviewing medical examiner data for opioid-related fatal overdose, fentanyl is a contributing factor in multiple “poly-drug” overdoses. It’s very important for parents to talk to their children on a regular basis about the dangers of drugs and the immediate threat in buying illegal drugs like fentanyl online. Snapchat has said it’s made operational improvements to detect and remove drug dealers from the platform and works closely with law enforcement and other groups in raising awareness of drug issues, fentanyl and counterfeit drugs.
The Legal Use of Fentanyl
As a result, many people believe that they are purchasing a certain drug and do not know that they are buying fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. A dose as small as 1-2 grains (2mg) of salt can cause a fatal overdose. In Georgia, from 2019 to 2021, drug overdose deaths increased by 61%, and fentanyl-involved overdose deaths increased by 230%.
†In each case, investigators determined it was unlikely the deceased knew or understood they were taking such a potent and potentially lethal drug. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is available through naloxone distribution centers at treatment providers in the state. FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — More and more young fentanyl users are turning to social media apps for their next Fentanyl high.
In medical settings, fentanyl is utilized for various purposes, including:
- Post-surgical pain management – Often administered in hospital settings.
- Palliative care – Provides relief for terminal patients suffering from chronic pain.
- Chronic pain conditions – Prescribed to individuals coping with severe, long-lasting pain.
Due to its potency, the legal purchase of fentanyl is strictly regulated, requiring a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
The Illicit Market
Despite its legal standing, fentanyl’s presence in the black market has dramatically increased. Factors contributing to this trend include:
- Addiction – Individuals addicted to opioids may turn to fentanyl for its intense effects.
- Accessibility – Fentanyl is often cheaper and more accessible than other opioids.
- Misrepresentation – Fentanyl is frequently mixed with other substances, leading users to unknowingly consume it.
Estimations suggest that a significant number of people, particularly those in desperate circumstances, do engage with the question: do people buy fentanyl?
Statistics on Fentanyl Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various studies have noted trends regarding fentanyl usage:
- In recent years, fentanyl has been linked to over 70% of opioid overdose deaths in the United States.
- Drug overdose fatalities involving fentanyl increased by more than 34% from the previous year.
- Many users report acquiring fentanyl through illegal channels, highlighting the growing prevalence of this substance on the streets.
FAQs About Fentanyl Use
1. What does fentanyl feel like?
Users often describe intense euphoria, pain relief, and a sense of relaxation. However, it is crucial to note that such effects can rapidly lead to respiratory depression and death, especially with improper dosing.
2. Why do people buy fentanyl?
Many individuals buy fentanyl for various reasons, including:
- Chronic pain relief – Some individuals seek it out due to unmanageable pain.
- Recreational use – A portion of individuals may use it for its euphoric effects, often unaware of the risks.
- Peer influence – Some users may be influenced by friends or social circles to try fentanyl.
3. Is fentanyl more dangerous than other opioids?
Yes, fentanyl is significantly more potent than many other opioids, with compounds estimated to be up to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, making overdoses more likely.
Conclusion
The question, do people buy fentanyl, reveals critical insights into current trends in drug use and societal challenges surrounding addiction. While fentanyl serves essential medical functions, the growing illegal market poses significant risks. Understanding the motivations behind its illegal purchase can help inform strategies for prevention and treatment efforts.
