Lower Your Risk Of Overdose
Locations where NARCAN® is available can be found on the DHS website. DHS also encourages hepatitis C and HIV screening as part of an ongoing drug user health initiative. A synthetic opioid, fentanyl is often carefully prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain in people living with cancer, recovering from surgery or who are terminally ill.
CSU’s inclusive community designed to provide support for students on all paths and in all phases of recovery including substance use disorders, eating disorders, as well as process and other mental health disorders. These barriers to use of fentanyl test strips was underscored by the recognition that structural factors outside of their control left them with few actions to take following a positive test strip result. This was often expressed as resignation, such as with Jamal (Black, man, 58, crack cocaine), who said “What happens is going to happen”. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl.
Understanding Fentanyl
If there is a new variation or analog, the test strip likely won’t catch it until manufacturers add it to their products. He’d been in and out of rehab more than half a dozen times when fentanyl inundated Ohio. 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. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill.
As of this year, F.O.R.T reporting 22 overdoses in the Valley. Any time a person consumes an illicit pill in the age of fentanyl, they risk dying. In states where they are considered illegal, fentanyl test strips are considered drug paraphernalia. This has long been a fear that if you give people tools to make something safer, they’re going to take greater risk. But we actually have really good evidence in the drug-use space that harm reduction interventions don’t encourage drug use.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery or those with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. Due to its potency, fentanyl is often associated with high rates of overdose and death, making it a subject of much scrutiny and regulation.
Real barriers exist for both using test strips and responding to test strip results positive for fentanyl. Overdose prevention efforts will be most successful if they work to address and reduce these barriers as complementary actions to making test strips available. Future research on the use of fentanyl test strips by people who use drugs should assess how positive or negative test results influence subsequent actions and drug use. Many participants asked where they could get fentanyl test strips and indicated a desire to distribute them to their own networks. Fentanyl is often added to heroin prior to distribution to increase potency (Hempstead & Yildirim, 2014).
Can I Buy Fentanyl?
Narcan is distributed at special events held throughout the state. On-the-spot Narcan training, overdose rescue information, and other resources are also available. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is available through naloxone distribution centers at treatment providers in the state.
Xylazine withdrawal can become a critical medical event requiring hospitalization. Clinicians should be prepared to manage both xylazine and opioid withdrawal symptoms for individuals admitted for care. Xylazine use can lead to unresponsiveness, forgetfulness or memory loss, dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and reduced breathing. Xylazine can also cause wounds and may lead to life-threatening infections that can cause conditions like endocarditis and sepsis. These wounds have been reported from injecting, smoking, and snorting xylazine, and they can develop quickly. Xylazine wounds can take a long time to heal and require prolonged medical care.
The question “can I buy fentanyl” can arise for various reasons, including pain management or curiosity about the drug. However, purchasing fentanyl is fraught with legal and health implications.
Legal Considerations
Buying fentanyl legally is restricted to certain conditions:
- Prescription Required: In most jurisdictions, fentanyl can only be obtained with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
- Illegal Purchases: Attempting to buy fentanyl illegally through the black market exposes individuals to significant legal penalties, including fines and incarceration.
Health Risks
Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription poses significant health risks:
- Overdose Risk: Due to its potency, even a small amount of fentanyl can lead to overdose, which can be fatal.
- Contaminants: Illegally obtained fentanyl may be mixed with other harmful substances, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
- Addiction Potential: Like other opioids, fentanyl has a high potential for addiction and misuse.
How is Fentanyl Prescribed?
If you are in legitimate need of pain management and wonder, “can I buy fentanyl”, here’s how you can go about it:
- The lack of oxygen eventually inhibits the function of other vital organs including the heart and the brain.
- CSU Health Network provides resources to help students learn how to improve mental health, manage stress and minimize anxiety.
- A person taking prescription fentanyl as instructed by a doctor can experience dependence, which is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped.
- Consult a Physician: A healthcare professional must evaluate your condition to determine the appropriate treatment.
- Receive a Prescription: If deemed necessary, the physician will prescribe fentanyl in a legal and safe manner.
- Obtain from Licensed Pharmacies: Make sure to fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy.
FAQs
Is Fentanyl Available Over the Counter?
No, fentanyl is not available over the counter and requires a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Can I Get Fentanyl for Chronic Pain?
Yes, if you are suffering from severe chronic pain, consult with your doctor for a tailored treatment plan that may include fentanyl.
What Are the Signs of Fentanyl Overdose?
Signs of overdose include slowed breathing, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate medical help.
Conclusion
While the inquiry “can I buy fentanyl” may stem from a need for pain management, it is critical to approach this medication with caution and under strict medical guidance. The risks associated with misuse and illegal purchase far outweigh the potential benefits. Always prioritize safety and legality when dealing with opioids.
