Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is highly potent and can be extremely dangerous if not used properly. It is commonly used in medical settings for pain management, but unfortunately, it has also become a popular drug of abuse due to its powerful effects.
Oregon Health Authority
Buying Fentanyl Online
One of the easiest ways to buy fentanyl is through online sources. There are numerous websites and online marketplaces that sell fentanyl, often under the guise of being a legitimate pharmacy. However, purchasing fentanyl online is illegal and extremely risky, as you cannot be sure of the quality or purity of the product.
Column: Vancouver’s safe drug-use sites are wrenching to see. California should open them anyway
Some states consider them drug paraphernalia (items you need to consume drugs). For example, fentanyl test strips remain illegal in Texas despite their ability to save lives by preventing fatal overdoses. People who use drugs and people who may witness an overdose should learn what an overdose looks like, carry naloxone, and know how to give naloxone to a person to reverse an opioid overdose. As xylazine becomes more common in Oregon’s drug supply, it is increasingly important to know how to identify and respond to overdoses.
Street Dealers
Syringe Service Program
Another common way to buy fentanyl is through street dealers. These individuals may sell fentanyl in its pure form or mixed with other substances, such as heroin. Buying fentanyl from street dealers is also illegal and poses a significant risk of overdose and other serious health consequences.
In many cases, drug users and mid-level dealers have no idea where or how their drugs are manufactured or what they might be cut with. The availability of black-market fentanyl and fentanyl analogs led to a U.S. opioid epidemic that continues to cause thousands of overdose deaths each year and destroy families and communities in the process. A lethal dose of carfentanyl, a fentanyl analog, is about the size of the head of a pin, requiring the full protection of hazmat suits. Baker has been working with the state’s department of health services to get batches of fentanyl test strips consistently. However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.2 It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is made in a lab from precursor chemicals instead of from poppies. It is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. According to the DEA, 2 milligrams of fentanyl is generally considered a lethal dose for most people.
Medical Providers
Recognizing an Overdose
If you have a legitimate need for fentanyl for medical purposes, you can obtain it through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Fentanyl is available in various forms, including patches, injections, and lozenges, and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Harm Reduction Saves Lives .
- Is it legal to buy fentanyl online?
- Are there any safe ways to purchase fentanyl?
- What are the risks of buying fentanyl on the street?
No, buying fentanyl online is illegal and unsafe.
The safest way to obtain fentanyl is through a legitimate prescription from a healthcare provider.
You can also find test strips at some of the Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs on this list. Fentanyl use can increase your risk of overdose, especially if you do not regularly use opioids. Anyone who uses drugs that may contain fentanyl, even occasionally, may be at risk of overdose.
Buying fentanyl from street dealers carries a high risk of overdose and exposure to unknown substances.
- WW sent the drugs to a lab, which confirmed it was fentanyl—a weak dose, heavily cut with the diuretic mannitol.
- Order informational materials and fentanyl test strips from Public Health here.
- It is often contained in illicit drugs without the user’s knowledge.
- Cartels and other illegal operations order the precursors – often over the dark web – then do the final conversion into fentanyl in a lab.
In conclusion, it is important to be cautious when considering where to buy fentanyl. Purchasing fentanyl from illegal sources can have serious consequences, including addiction, overdose, and even death. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl abuse, seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction treatment center.