Fentanyl is the main driver of opioid overdose deaths in Washington state. In 2022, the drug was involved in 90% of fatal opioid overdoses in the state and 65% of all overdose deaths, according to the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug and Alcohol Institute. Fentanyl mixed with drugs or alcohol increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids and can reverse an opioid overdose. With a fentanyl overdose, two or more doses of naloxone may need to be administered.
Fentanyl pills are a potent opioid medication often used for pain management. However, due to its high risk of addiction and overdose, it is a controlled substance that can only be obtained with a prescription. Despite this restriction, there are unfortunately illicit sources where individuals may attempt to purchase fentanyl pills without a prescription.
Fentanyl Test Strip Trainings
Learn more about responding to suspected drug overdoses on OHA’s Naloxone Rescue for Opioid Overdose webpage (link). Rescue breaths are critical for people who have used xylazine because it causes breathing to slow down. Harm reduction experts also recommend rolling the person who has overdosed onto their side with their top knee bent, in the recovery position. People using xylazine can develop a dependence and may be at risk of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, rapid heart rate, and high blood pressure. Xylazine withdrawal can become a critical medical event requiring hospitalization.
Online Marketplaces
One of the most common places where individuals may try to acquire fentanyl pills is through online marketplaces. These websites often operate outside of regulatory oversight and may sell counterfeit or illegally manufactured medications. It is crucial to avoid purchasing fentanyl pills from these sources as they can be dangerous and potentially lethal.
The Fentanyl Epidemic
Dark Web
DHS also encourages hepatitis C and HIV screening as part of an ongoing drug user health initiative. Physicians like me have seen a rise in unintentional fentanyl use from people buying prescription opioids and other drugs laced, or adulterated, with fentanyl. Heroin users in my community in Massachusetts came to realize that fentanyl had entered the drug supply when overdose numbers exploded.
Medications For Substance Use Disorders
Another avenue where individuals may look to buy fentanyl pills is through the dark web. This hidden part of the internet is known for illegal activities, including the sale of drugs. Buying fentanyl pills from the dark web is not only illegal but also incredibly risky as the quality and potency of the pills cannot be guaranteed.
Healthcare Providers
The potent synthetic has already killed 30 people in Vermont in 2018, more than heroin and prescription opioids combined, according to state data. The findings come as the head of the National Crime Agency (NCA) told the Guardian that vast majority of the synthetic opioids coming into the UK were from China. The NCA said that most synthetic drugs, including the synthetic cannabinoid spice, came into Britain from the east Asia.
The safest and most legitimate way to obtain fentanyl pills is through a healthcare provider with a valid prescription. If you have a medical condition that requires fentanyl for pain management, consult with your doctor to discuss your options. They can provide you with a legal prescription and guide you on how to safely use the medication.
Conclusion
Fentanyl was created in 1959 by Dr. Paul Janssen as an intravenous surgical analgesic. Because of its strength, the drug was rarely used except in hospital operating rooms or on large animals. Another Chinese website, Mfrbee.com, had dozens of listings under the search term “opioids”, although links to fentanyl appeared to be blocked. Drug users can easily buy potentially lethal substances through Chinese eBay-style websites, the Guardian can reveal.
- Local Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs or OOPPs connect New Yorkers with naloxone, naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and safe syringe access and disposal services.
- The vape pens contain THC resin which potentially holds up to 60 percent of THC inside the cartridge.
- This is a free classroom-style training event and is the most informative style of training for any member of the public.
- A warrant was out for his arrest on drug charges in San Francisco.
While there may be illicit sources where individuals can attempt to buy fentanyl pills without a prescription, it is important to prioritize safety and legality when seeking out this medication. Avoid online marketplaces and the dark web, and instead, work with a healthcare provider to ensure you are using fentanyl pills in a safe and responsible manner.
