Nov 17, 2023: National Advocacy Update
Understanding the Risks: Where to Buy Fentanyl Online
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain management. However, it is also widely associated with addiction and overdose deaths. Many people may wonder where to buy fentanyl online, but it is crucial to highlight the severe consequences of purchasing such substances illegally.
Routine testing for xylazine by the Oregon State Medical Examiner began in 2020. Since then, xylazine has been found in a small but increasing amount of overdose deaths in Oregon. In 2020, there were two overdose deaths where xylazine was identified in the toxicology report, followed by nine in 2021 and nine (so far) in 2022. The Oregon Health Authority expects to see a significant increase in xylazine-involved overdose deaths in 2023 once the data are finalized. So far, all overdose deaths in Oregon where xylazine was present also involved fentanyl.
However, depending on how much opioids the person has in their system, they could experience a second potentially fatal overdose because the naloxone wears off in about minutes. For this reason, we recommend the individual seek medical attention to ensure they are in the company of someone with additional naloxone in case a second overdose occurs. It’s also important for the person experiencing an overdose not to take any more drugs or alcohol within (at least) a three hour period.
Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine, in unregulated injectable drugs, powders and pills. Research by the Washington State Department of Health reveals that individuals using fentanyl test strips take steps to reduce their risk of overdose. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used for treating severe pain and is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose and death in the United States are linked to illicitly made fentanyl. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine to increase its euphoric effects.
Our study provides new insights into the role of the darknet in the availability of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl, fentanyl analogs and other novel synthetic opioids. Important future work includes comparing the availability and shipment origin of substances advertised on the darknet with the national seizure data to estimate the impact of cryptomarkets on substance accessibility at the national level. Furthermore, information about new detections of synthetic opioids on cryptomarkets could also be communicated to darknet market customers via existing community forums, alongside appropriate harm-reduction advice. Another possibility would be to contact cryptomarket administrators when information contained in listing descriptions of new substances are erroneous and/or misleading potentially leading to adverse consequences for users. This is particularly true in the case of “synthetic heroin,” where buyers are almost completely unaware of what they are purchasing. Our study presents a detailed description of the type, average amount and shipment origin of novel synthetic opioids advertised on one cryptomarket (DreamMarket) over a 10-months period (March 2018-January 2019).
The Dangerous Landscape of Online Purchases
Buying fentanyl online carries significant risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Purchasing controlled substances without a prescription can lead to serious legal repercussions.
- Health Risks: Illicit fentanyl may be mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose.
- Fraud and Scams: Many websites selling fentanyl are scams, and users risk losing both money and personal information.
Safe Alternatives for Pain Management
You can access naloxone from most pharmacists in the U.S. without a prescription. If you, a family member, or a friend take illegal drugs, it is important to have immediate access to naloxone to help possibly save a life. A Pennsylvania man convicted of selling fentanyl online — drugs that prosecutors say caused the overdose deaths of at least 29 people — was sentenced Monday in Portland to life in federal prison.
If you are seeking pain management options, consider the following alternatives:
This is not all the information you need to know about fentanyl test strips for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your healthcare provider’s advice. Review and follow the full test strip information before use, as directions may vary among tests. Discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider. Those who analysed the website were able to find sellers willing to ship fentanyl and other substances. The drug appeared frequently on the website over the period analysed and, as well as fentanyl, Weiku also hosted people selling bromadol, which is estimated to be five times the strength of fentanyl.
The risk of overdose exists when any fentanyl is present given its potency and lethality, but risk is especially high among persons who are not tolerant to it and may not be aware of the presence of fentanyl in what they are using. EDarkTrends, a semi-automated platform, was developed to monitor listings of fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other novel synthetic opioids on cryptomarkets to assess availability trends and identify emerging substances. The data presented in this paper were collected from the DreamMarket cryptomarket and covered a nearly one-year time period from March 2018 to January 2019, until DreamMarket was shut down in February 2019 (Madore, 2019). At that time, DreamMarket was the largest existing cryptomarket with over 60,000 listings for drugs (Knight, 2019). In contrast to the “surface web,” the “deep web” is a section of the Internet where websites or databases are not listed by search engines such as Google, Bing or Yahoo. It encompasses all private data accessible via the Internet and represents approximately 96% of the total web.
- Consult with a healthcare professional for a prescription.
- Explore physical therapy options.
- Look into non-opioid medications for pain relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can fentanyl be purchased legally online?
A: No, fentanyl is a controlled substance and can only be legally obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Q: What should I do if I or someone I know is struggling with opioid addiction?
A: It is important to seek help from professionals, such as addiction specialists, or contact local support groups and helplines.
- Some of those advertising under these search categories had their accounts deleted, while others still sold the substances.
- As Vox’s German Lopez previously explained, fentanyl has been around since the 1960s, but its illicit use has spiked in recent years.
- 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.
- Half of those accidental overdose deaths (912 people, most under age 44) died from an overdose involving fentanyl, a spike from 540 deaths in 2020.
- 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.
- The drugs are completely different in chemical structure from fentanyl, but experts warn they can be just as deadly.
Q: Are all online pharmacies safe?
A: Not all online pharmacies are safe. It is crucial to verify that an online pharmacy is licensed and requires a prescription for medication.
Conclusion
While the internet might seem like a convenient option to find where to buy fentanyl online, the potential dangers associated with both purchasing and using illicit fentanyl cannot be overstated. It is vital to prioritize safety and health by seeking legitimate medical advice and support.
