Understanding Fentanyl and Its Purchase Online
“Social media is almost exclusively the way they get the pills,” said Morgan Gire, district attorney for Placer County, Calif., where 40 people died from fentanyl poisoning last year. He has filed murder charges against a 20-year-old man accused of being Mr. Webb’s dealer, who pleaded not guilty. “About 90 percent of the pills that you’re buying from a dealer on social media now are fentanyl,” Mr. Gire said. Medications for opioid use disorders—including fentanyl use disorder—are safe, effective, and save lives. These medicines interact with the same opioid receptors in the brain on which fentanyl acts, but they do not produce the same effects. Addiction is the most severe form of a substance use disorder (SUD).
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. As the opioid epidemic evolves and finds new cracks in armor, getting rid of anonymous companies is one straight-forward move that would get rid of one those cracks.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often used in medical settings for pain management. However, its misuse poses significant risks, including addiction and overdose. As such, many individuals find themselves asking, where can I buy fentanyl online?
How To Find And Use Fentanyl Test Strips
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been prevalent in the northeastern region of the US since 2017, but it did not become prevalent in Oregon until 2019. 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.
The Risks of Buying Fentanyl Online
The vaping is going to come back in full force, and I think we’re going to start seeing an increase in overdose, in overdose deaths,” said Det. Cardinale. This is likely not a new trend, and numerous vendors possibly also deal with other drug substances alongside fentanyl. Vendor clusters with Bitcoin payments to fentanyl suppliers have also been identified interacting with dark web marketplaces that have since gone offline, such as Silk Road and Hydra. This medication is not just for people with an opioid dependence or addiction.
Purchasing fentanyl online can be fraught with dangers, including:
- Legality: Buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions.
- Quality Control: Online sources may provide counterfeit or contaminated products.
- Addiction and Overdose: The risk of addiction increases without medical supervision.
- Scams: Many online pharmacies are fraudulent and may take your money without delivering any product.
The fentanyl crisis will continue to impact minors as social media platforms fail to flag content about fentanyl and other hardcore drugs. The failure to flag the imagery and contact information of drug dealers online will lead to more youth having exposure to the drug and potentially finding ways to purchase it. Additionally, with the fentanyl crisis impacting communities nationwide, we assess that there will be more significant initiatives to educate about the use of fentanyl. We may see social media platforms follow a similar rule to Pinterest, providing awareness about the dangers of the deadly drug. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is short acting and cannot be seen, tasted or smelled when mixed into other drugs.
Launched in 2018, it was designed to help the government understand the current state of the U.S. biodefense enterprise. In the coming years, DHS will continue partnering with industry to complete narcotics data collection for government-owned spectral libraries and will initiate a new Opioid Investigation and Intelligence Project to support ICE HSI. Specialized laboratory equipment and analytical techniques such as GC-MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) and LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) can identify regulated fentanyl compounds. As emerging new compounds appear on the market, nontargeted testing can be aided with LC-HRMS (liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry). Dogs with their keen sense of smell have been trained for a variety of U.S. security and emergency response settings for more than 50 years. The first drug-sniffing dogs were put into service in the mid-1960s and are now regularly seen in cargo terminals, airports, mail delivery and sorting centers, and even schools.
The company describes itself as a maker of drug and pesticide intermediates. He pointed to the Chinese social media platform WeChat as particularly problematic. WeChat’s parent company, Tencent, did not respond to NPR’s request for comment. Synthetic opioid vendors favor working out of China’s industrial hinterlands, where policing can be less strict. Of the 92 fentanyl and fentanyl-analog selling entities C4ADS was able to identify with location details, 41% listed their corporate address in Shijiazhuang.
Legitimate Sources for Fentanyl
If you legitimately require fentanyl for medical reasons, consider these steps:
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Only specialists can correctly assess your need for fentanyl.
- Get a Prescription: If deemed necessary, your doctor will provide a prescription.
- Visit a Licensed Pharmacy: Fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy for safety and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy fentanyl online?
Generally, buying fentanyl online from unverified sources can be dangerous. It is advisable to only obtain it with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
What are the signs of fentanyl addiction?
Some signs include:
- Increased tolerance to the drug.
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using.
- Neglecting responsibilities or social activities.
What should I do if I suspect someone is misusing fentanyl?
If someone you know is misusing fentanyl, encourage them to seek professional help. Contacting a healthcare provider or addiction specialist can provide guidance.
Conclusion
- Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine and is the primary driver of the overdose crisis.
- The non-surgical delivery mechanism offered some unique advantages over other drugs, including quick onset of action, relatively few cardiovascular risks, and low histamine release.
- The drugs could be purchased and delivered through standard mail to the United States from places as far away as China.
- Stores may keep OTC Narcan® with other OTC medications for sale or they may keep it behind the pharmacy counter.
While the question of where can I buy fentanyl online is common, it is vital to approach the topic with caution. The risks associated with obtaining fentanyl without a prescription far outweigh the benefits. Always prioritize your health and safety by consulting with medical professionals and utilizing licensed pharmacies.
