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Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. It is often used to treat patients with severe pain, such as those with cancer. However, it is also increasingly being used illegally as a recreational drug, often mixed with other substances like heroin or cocaine.
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The Dangers of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is highly addictive and can be deadly even in small doses. It can cause respiratory depression, which can lead to unconsciousness and death. It is also often mixed with other substances, which can increase the risk of overdose. In fact, fentanyl is responsible for a significant portion of the opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States.
- Since 2019, 134,280 doses of NARCAN® have been distributed at no cost through community agencies to people who use opioids or drugs that could be mixed with opioids, and their families and friends.
- It has been identified in counterfeit pills, mimicking pharmaceutical drugs such as oxycodone.
- Use 1 teaspoon of water per every 10 mg of crystal or powder meth, MDMA, or ecstasy to dissolve the drugs in a small container (like a soda bottle cap).
- People who use substances are at a high risk of overdose if they unknowingly consume fentanyl or take it in larger amounts than they are used to.
- When these drugs became harder to get for nonmedical use, heroin use increased.
- Michael Marquesen first noticed about a year ago that fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid, had hit the streets of Los Angeles.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl?
Center For Environmental Health
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in all different kinds of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) and drug forms (pills, powder, and injectables). For information on how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer Naloxone, and use fentanyl test strips, please follow the provided instructions. According to the AMA’s latest Opioid Epidemic Report, opioid prescribing continues downward trend while overdose and death related to illicitly how to access darkweb manufactured fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine increase. The AMA continues to advance evidence-based recommendations to help end the nation’s drug-related overdose and death epidemic. This includes support for increased use of a broad array of harm-reduction efforts services such as fentanyl drug test strips. Learn more about drug test kits and how the AMA supports efforts to increase access to fentanyl test strips and other substance test kits for the purpose of harm reduction.
It is important to note that buying and using fentanyl illegally is extremely dangerous and can result in serious harm or even death. Fentanyl is a controlled substance and is illegal to possess or distribute without a prescription. It is often sold on the black market, often in the form of counterfeit pills or powders. These substances may be mixed with other dangerous substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
Where to Find Help
It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids such as oxycodone. Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain fentanyl. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl without the use of fentanyl test strips because fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Although studies deep web vs dark web have not examined the effect of training on pharmacy FTS sales, parallels may be drawn with pharmacy-based naloxone distribution. Research on public health partnerships with community pharmacies has led to increased naloxone protocols and dispensing [21]. Pharmacist trainings should be created regarding FTS counseling similar to trainings regarding naloxone counseling in an effort to increase pharmacist comfort and confidence in FTS distribution.
FDA Clears First Over-the-counter Urine Test For Fentanyl
If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. There are many resources available to help, including:
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs
- Counseling and therapy
There can also be false positives (showing that fentanyl is present when it really isn’t). The process of testing methamphetamine is different than testing opioids and uses more water. Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm.
You can’t smell or taste fentanyl and fake pills made from fentanyl can look like real pills from a pharmacy. There’s no way to know if -or how much- fentanyl may be in them. Many of the opioid pills and powders sold on the street are fake.
Fentanyl: What You Need To Know
While California has made some positive strides in the fight against opioids (the latest data show that prescriptions in the state are down), deaths from one particularly powerful opioid, fentanyl, are up. Harm reduction is a practical approach to keeping people safe. The approach aims to protect people who are engaged in higher-risk behaviour while at the same time, supporting them towards treatment and recovery. Data collected from safe injection facilities in Canada indicate there has been a 2,000 percent rise in street drugs testing positive for fentanyl since 2012. Fentanyl test strips are used to detect small amounts of fentanyl and prevent accidental overdose. The mortality rates from fentanyl consumption and increasing enforcement actions against dealers have even spooked many cybercriminals into steering clear from facilitating its trade.
These resources can provide the support and treatment needed to overcome addiction and live a healthy, fulfilling life. It is important to remember that recovery is possible, and there is help available.
For more information on fentanyl and where to find help, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website at www.samhsa.gov.
