Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is commonly used for pain management. However, it is also a highly addictive drug with a high potential for abuse. Due to its dangerous nature, fentanyl should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional and obtained through legitimate channels.
Legal Ways to Purchase Fentanyl
(The Senate investigators did not actually make any purchases.) Or, these so-called “clearnet” sites lead to arrests. Recently, a group of investigators with the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations Googled “buy fentanyl online” on the open internet, then homed in on the six sites that were most responsive to their requests. An investigator on the committee, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the findings, said these represent a tiny fraction of the hundreds of fentanyl-selling sites on the web.
Other resources
Among the U.S. cities with the highest number of people who use heroin, Baltimore is taking novel steps to address the opioid epidemic within its boundaries. The city’s health department has actively worked to get naloxone, the opioid-overdose reversal medication, into the hands of people who can use it to save lives, and to expand access to addiction treatment. Working with the nonprofit Code in the Schools, the city in 2017 launched a “bad batch” text alert system, to warn people who use drugs when there is a spike in overdose deaths in a certain area. Although studies 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].
If you have a prescription for fentanyl or are seeking legitimate ways to obtain it, here are some options:
Drugs Can be Checked for Fentanyl
- Visit a pharmacy: You can purchase fentanyl at a pharmacy with a valid prescription from a healthcare provider.
- Online pharmacies: Some licensed online pharmacies may sell fentanyl with a prescription. Make sure to verify the legitimacy of the online pharmacy before making a purchase.
- Hospitals or clinics: Fentanyl may be administered in a medical setting such as a hospital or clinic for pain management or anesthesia purposes.
The campaign targeted areas that had seen an increase in overdoses as well as areas where people use drugs recreationally. Xylazine may be mixed in with other illicit drugs for several reasons, including increasing drug weight or adding an effect. People who use drugs may not be aware of the presence of xylazine in their drug product. There are limitations to xylazine and fentanyl drug checking strips because illicit drugs are not evenly mixed. This means that fentanyl and/or xylazine may still be present in a drug product, even when a portion of the product tested with drug checking strips does not react. This is why it’s best to assume that all drugs not prescribed and handed to you by a pharmacist are mixed with fentanyl, xylazine, or other drugs.
Still, in some states, they continue to be illegal because they are considered “drug paraphernalia” under older drug laws. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) analysis has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet. “There’s going to be a movement across the state to make sure we do everything that we can to protect people from dying from fentanyl, and I think test strips will be one of those ways,” he said. 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.
Illegal Ways to Purchase Fentanyl
Where can you get fentanyl test strips?
It is important to note that buying fentanyl without a prescription or through illegal means is extremely dangerous and can have serious consequences. Here are some illegal ways people may attempt to purchase fentanyl:
- Black market: Fentanyl is often sold on the black market by illicit drug dealers. Buying fentanyl from these sources is not only illegal but also puts you at risk of consuming a contaminated or counterfeit product.
- Online vendors: There are websites that illegally sell fentanyl without requiring a prescription. It is crucial to avoid these sites as the quality and safety of the product are not guaranteed.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. People in the United States are dying from fentanyl at alarming rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Opioid naïve individuals are at high risk of accidental overdose because they do not have a tolerance for opioids, may not have access to naloxone, and may not know how to decrease overdose risk.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) analysis has found counterfeit pills ranging from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than twice the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet.
- 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.
- Anyone can buy a press to make pills that look just like prescription drugs these days.
- Our members face long journeys when it comes to recovery, or securing housing and employment, so offering a resource that provides immediate relief goes a long way.” Shannon French, volunteer at Peer Seattle.
There are several different types of test strips and public health agencies instruct people who use drugs. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department), CDC, and California Department of Public Health offer guidance on how to use fentanyl test strips. More than 1,900 people have died of illicit drug overdoses in B.C.
How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips
Is it safe to buy fentanyl online without a prescription?
No, it is not safe to buy fentanyl online without a prescription. Doing so can expose you to counterfeit or contaminated products, increasing your risk of overdose and other health complications.
Can I buy fentanyl without a prescription from a doctor?
No, fentanyl is a prescription medication that should only be obtained through a healthcare provider’s recommendation. Using fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and dangerous.
It is essential to prioritize your health and well-being when considering purchasing fentanyl. Always consult with a medical professional before using this potent opioid to ensure safe and appropriate usage.
