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. “Our test strips are such a great tool for engaging people who use substances into our programing so that then we can support them with other aspects of their health, especially around HIV and Hep C,” he said. Do not dispose of your unused medication in the garbage or down the toilet.
Director / State Public Health Officer
We want to meet people where they’re at today with their drug use so that we can keep them with us and build that trust. Then, if and when they want to change their use – maybe stop, reduce or switch to a safer drug – we’re here for them. Still, in some states, they continue to be illegal 2024 working darknet market because they are considered “drug paraphernalia” under older drug laws. Some people may also prefer to take an “upper” like cocaine or methamphetamine mixed with a “downer” like fentanyl for the combined effects. We know that many in our community are asking about MPOX (monkeypox).
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. However, fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and distributed, and it is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
Fentanyl Dealers Are Bypassing Dark Web Restrictions To Sell Deadly Precursors Online: Here’s How
When buying online, use extreme caution to be sure the tests are valid. Well, because we have this unregulated supply, the end user is basically powerless over the drug supply. They are at the mercy of what’s happening in the supply chain and supply-side pressures on the market, and there’s been this shift what darknet markets are live from lower-potency heroin to essentially all illicitly manufactured fentanyl. If you’re using opioids in Massachusetts, you’re almost certainly using fentanyl. Xylazine test strips (XTS) are small strips of paper that can be placed within a personal sample of drugs to detect the presence of xylazine.
The Dangers of Fentanyl
After Affirmative Action, Med Ed Forges Plans To Increase Diversity
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used in clinical settings to treat severe pain. It can be found in the illicit drug market and is being mixed with other illicitly manufactured opioids like heroin, in pressed pills, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamines to increase their potency. Because of how potent it is, it can significantly increase the risk of overdose. Harm reduction groups who work with drug users have called for the decriminalization of testing strips for years. Sometimes, drug users don’t know that the drugs they buy are laced with fentanyl and unknowingly ingest the synthetic opioid, leading to overdoses. By using fentanyl testing strips to determine whether the opioid is present in their drugs, users can avoid overdosing on the powerful opioid.
Fentanyl is a highly addictive drug that can cause serious health problems and even death. It can slow down the user’s breathing and heart rate, leading to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Overdosing on fentanyl can also cause seizures, coma, and brain damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 36,000 people died from overdoses involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl in 2019.
- According to the DEA, most of the illicit supply comes from outside the United States, where clandestine laboratories synthesize fentanyl into counterfeit pills.
- Nationwide, fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide and other accidents.
- Then, if and when they want to change their use – maybe stop, reduce or switch to a safer drug – we’re here for them.
- Wisconsin residents can request free fentanyl test strips by mail through NEXT Distro.
- If the person gets too much naloxone, try to explain to them that their withdrawal symptoms will begin to fade in a half hour or so.
- Fentanyl test strips can be used to determine if drugs have been mixed or cut with fentanyl.
Where Can I Buy Fentanyl Illegally?
It is illegal to buy or sell fentanyl without a prescription, but that doesn’t stop some people from trying. Fentanyl is often sold on the street in the form of pills, patches, or powder. It can be bought from drug dealers, online marketplaces, or social media platforms. However, buying fentanyl illegally is extremely dangerous because it is often mixed with other substances, and the user never knows what they are really getting.
The Risks of Buying Fentanyl Illegally
Where can I buy fentanyl illegally is not a question that should be taken lightly. Buying fentanyl illegally carries significant risks, including:
- Overdose and death
- Arrest and imprisonment
- Exposure to other dangerous drugs
- Injury or violence from drug dealers
The best way to avoid these risks is to never buy fentanyl illegally. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, there are resources available to help, such as:
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous
- Prescription drug monitoring programs
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs
Remember, fentanyl is a dangerous and addictive drug that should only be used under the supervision of a licensed healthcare provider. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seek help immediately.
