Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been making headlines due to its alarming involvement in overdose deaths. But do people buy fentanyl? In this article, we delve into this controversial drug and shed light on the reasons behind its purchase.
The Rise of Fentanyl
What are the signs of fentanyl overdose?
Originally developed as a prescription painkiller, fentanyl is approximately 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is typically used for managing severe pain, particularly among cancer patients or those undergoing major surgeries. However, its illicit use has surged in recent years, contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis.
Reasons Why People Buy Fentanyl:
- Desire for Intense High: Some individuals seek out fentanyl due to its powerful euphoric effects. The intense high it provides can be appealing to those with substance abuse disorders.
- Cheaper Alternative: Fentanyl is often cheaper than other opioids, making it a cost-effective choice for those seeking to satisfy their addiction or recreational drug use.
- Availability on the Black Market: With the rise of illegal drug markets on the internet, obtaining fentanyl has become relatively easier for buyers who know where to look.
- Heroin Adulteration: Unfortunately, some individuals unknowingly purchase heroin laced with fentanyl, leading to unintentional exposure to the drug.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you stop taking your other pain medication(s) you will need to stop using fentanyl. We’re educating providers more about how to not stigmatize people, to treat people where they are, as they are. And at the state Capitol and with policy-makers, we’re advocating for balanced policy on fentanyl, especially increasing access to treatment across the state. However, clandestine lab operators have discovered it’s relatively easy to synthesize from a couple of precursor molecules that you can get from Pakistan, India or China. India has worked to cut off access to these precursors, but China and Pakistan have not. Cartels and other illegal operations order the precursors – often over the dark web – then do the final conversion into fentanyl in a lab.
Here are some common questions related to the purchase of fentanyl:
Q: Is it legal to buy fentanyl?
A: No, fentanyl is a controlled substance and its sale, possession, and use without proper medical authorization are illegal in most countries.
Why do drug dealers use fentanyl? Aren’t they worried about killing their customers?
Q: Where can people buy fentanyl?
A: Fentanyl can be obtained through various illicit channels, including online black markets, street dealers, or through the diversion of prescription drugs.
Q: How dangerous is fentanyl?
Fentanyl: One Pill Kills
A: Fentanyl is highly potent, and even small doses can lead to overdose or death. The risk of overdosing on fentanyl is particularly high when it is mixed with other substances such as heroin or cocaine.
- Be aware that it may take more than one dose of naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose.
- The tactical team gassed the theater with two types of fentanyl, an opioid known for its extreme strength.
- Even people who think they’re using heroin are usually taking fentanyl because there’s so much available.
- Fentanyl can also be found co-mingled either intentionally or unintentionally with other drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine.
Heroin deaths versus fentanyl deaths versus those with both: Co-ingestants
Q: Can fentanyl be used safely?
A: When used under strict medical supervision and for legitimate purposes, fentanyl can be safe and effective. However, any use of fentanyl outside of prescribed parameters poses significant risks.
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Fentanyl has steadily moved westward in the USA during the past decade [3]; its presence began rising in California in 2017, and fentanyl was involved in 88% of opioid overdose deaths by 2022 [4]. In Alameda County, CA, where this study was conducted, fentanyl-related overdoses began to rise in 2019 and reached an age-adjusted rate of 12/100,000 by 2022. This contrasts with San Francisco County, a mere 13 miles away, where the age-adjusted rate was three times as high (36/100,000) in 2022. Rates of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, increased over 22% from 2020 to 2021. The rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids in 2021 was nearly 22 times the rate in 2013. Nearly 71,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids other than methadone in 2021.
Q: What are the signs of fentanyl addiction?
A: Signs of fentanyl addiction may include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, neglecting responsibilities, social isolation, financial difficulties, and changes in behavior and appearance.
Taking too many opioids at one time can cause a person to stop breathing and die. A fraction of fentanyl could mimic the highs of other opioids, like heroin or prescription painkillers. Dealers will often use simple binding agents and a small amount of fentanyl when making counterfeit opioid pills or what they say is heroin, according to law enforcement. With the nation still in the grips of an opioid epidemic that began decades ago, the crisis has deepened in recent years with the introduction of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. Another measure is increasing the availability of opioid agonists like methadone and buprenorphine that reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings, helping people stay in treatment and decrease illicit drug use.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, while the purchase and use of fentanyl remain illegal and highly dangerous, some individuals still choose to buy it due to various factors such as seeking an intense high, cost considerations, and ease of availability. It is crucial to raise awareness about the potential risks associated with fentanyl and provide support for those struggling with addiction.
