If you use heroin, cocaine or crack—even rarely—you’re at risk of a fentanyl-involved overdose. One of the deadliest street drugs, illicit fentanyl, has transitioned from a hidden killer that people often hope to avoid to one that many drug users now seek out on its own. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Florida ranks second in the nation behind California for drug overdose deaths.
- This Social Media Toolkit (ZIP) provides social media posts and graphics you can share to increase awareness about the fentanyl crisis.
- Anyone can buy a press to make pills that look just like prescription drugs these days.
- Two lines, or a negative result, means no fentanyl has been detected.
The Health Department offers virtual trainings to individuals and organizations on the use of fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction tool as well as strategies for community engagement. If you are interested in learning about fentanyl and fentanyl test strips, or your organization is distributing fentanyl test strips in the community, register for an upcoming training below. Please note the Health Department does not supply fentanyl test strips to training attendees. Fentanyl has been found in many different drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and ketamine. It can also be found in pills from nonmedical sources, pressed into counterfeit pills to look like prescription painkillers or benzodiazepines, such as Xanax® Klonopin®, and Valium®.
Fentanyl test strips: where to get & how to use?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used medically for pain relief, especially in cases of severe pain or during surgery. However, due to its high potency, fentanyl also carries a high risk of addiction and overdose if misused. This has led to concerns about the availability of fentanyl on the black market and the dangers associated with buying it illegally.
Fentanyl Facts
There can also be false positives (showing that fentanyl is present when it really isn’t). The process of testing methamphetamine is different than testing opioids and uses more water. Fentanyl test strips are a form of drug testing technology that have shown to be effective at detecting the presence of fentanyl and fentanyl-analogs in drug samples prior to ingestion. Based on the results of the test strips, people can choose to implement strategies to reduce the risk of overdose. Published literature supports that people are willing to use fentanyl test strips and change behavior as a result of a positive test.
Can I Buy Fentanyl Legally?
Community Resources for People who use Substances
In most countries, fentanyl is a controlled substance that requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. This means that buying fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences. Additionally, purchasing fentanyl from unauthorized sources increases the risk of receiving counterfeit or contaminated products, which can be extremely dangerous.
Where to Purchase Fentanyl
What is fentanyl?
Using a test strip “would give me peace of mind, to explain what I’ve been feeling,” he said. Fentanyl overdose can happen through touching or being near fentanyl. Your health impacts how your body is able to respond to overdose and overamping. Before using, wash or sanitize your hands and any surfaces used to prepare the drugs. Then, use an alcohol wipe or soapy water to clean your injection site.
If you have a legitimate medical need for fentanyl, your healthcare provider can prescribe it to you and help you obtain it from a licensed pharmacy. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and only use fentanyl as directed to minimize the risk of addiction and overdose.
COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) resource center for physicians
One red line on top (closer to the yellow end) after waiting three minutes is a POSITIVE result for the presence of fentanyl. 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. As our county vice agents fight back against what’s being sold on the streets, fentanyl patch users can take extra safety measures as well. After a patch is used it may still contain residual levels of the drug.
It is crucial to avoid buying fentanyl from online pharmacies or other sources that do not require a prescription, as these products are often illegal and may be unsafe. If you suspect that someone is selling fentanyl illegally, you should report it to the authorities to protect yourself and others from harm.
New Fentanyl Test Strips – Single Strip
In British Columbia, Canada, fentanyl-related overdose deaths increased over 600% from 2014 to 2016, with fentanyl being detected in 67% of all overdose-related deaths in 2016 compared to 25% in 2014 [16]. Fentanyl test strips are dipped into drug residue dissolved in water. Within minutes, a person can know whether the drug contains fentanyl. A tiny amount – as little as two grains of salt – is enough to kill someone.
Remember, fentanyl is a potent drug that should only be used under medical supervision. If you have any questions or concerns about fentanyl or its legality, speak to your healthcare provider for more information.
