Do People Buy Fentanyl?

Known Street Values Of Fentanyl By Amount

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse and is available only through prescription. However, the illegal manufacture and distribution of fentanyl have become a significant public health concern in recent years.

The Illicit Market for Fentanyl

Experts consider 2 mg of fentanyl to be lethal, but many counterfeit pills contain up to 5 mg (more than twice the lethal dose). Check out the image to the side for scale to see what 2 mg of fentanyl looks like. Any drug in any form (powder, pill) you get from a dealer, friend or an online source could have fentanyl in it. You can’t smell or taste fentanyl and fake pills made from fentanyl can look like real pills from a pharmacy. There’s no way to know if -or how much- fentanyl may be in them.

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Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, to increase their potency and profitability. This practice has led to a surge in overdose deaths, as many users are unaware that they are consuming fentanyl. According to the CDC, more than 56,000 people died from drug overdoses involving fentanyl and its analogs in 2020.

This can decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, a condition called hypoxia. Hypoxia can lead to a coma and permanent brain damage, and even death. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally. Nationwide deaths related to black market fentanyl pills are rising.

Despite the risks associated with fentanyl use, there is a thriving illicit market for the drug. IMF is often produced in clandestine laboratories in Mexico and China and is smuggled into the United States through various channels. It is sold on the street as a powder, pill, or nasal spray, and its price varies depending on the region and the quantity.

The Dangers of Buying Fentanyl

Learn The Signs Of An Overdose

Buying fentanyl is a dangerous proposition, as the drug is highly potent and can easily lead to overdose and death. Moreover, the illegal market for fentanyl is often controlled by organized crime groups that are not accountable to any regulatory body. This means that the quality and purity of the drug are highly variable, and users may unknowingly consume adulterated or contaminated products.

Nearly two-thirds of more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths in the country have been tied to illicitly manufactured Fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely potent drug, commonly mixed with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills like prescription opioids, among others. The researchers say the findings point to the need for scaling up existing evidence-based methods to prevent overdose deaths, such as naloxone distribution and increased access to medication for opioid use disorder. Legal, pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Legally made fentanyl can be diverted through theft, fradulent prescriptions, and illicit distribution. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is distributed in powder or tablet (pill) form through illegal drug markets.

Mass General Brigham Substance Use Disorder Program

Additionally, buying fentanyl online or through social media platforms can be risky, as these transactions are often facilitated by unscrupulous dealers who may steal personal information or use violence to resolve disputes. It is also important to note that buying or possessing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

• The report recommends that all international packages start to include what they call “advanced electronic data”—special information on bar codes that could help flag drug-bearing packages for postal workers.
• Fentanyl today is killing more Americans than – between the age of 18 and 49 – than any other public health issues.
• Illicitly manufactured powdered fentanyl looks just like many other drugs.
• Most recently, it warned that children are at particular risk for accidental death from exposure.

Preventing Fentanyl-Related Harms

Preventing fentanyl-related harms requires a multi-faceted approach that involves law enforcement, public health, and community-based interventions. This includes increasing access to evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, expanding the use of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, and implementing harm reduction strategies such as fentanyl test strips and supervised consumption sites.

It is also essential to raise awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use and to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. This can be achieved through education campaigns, peer support programs, and community engagement initiatives that promote empathy, understanding, and compassion.

Conclusion

No one has conducted controlled trials to determine the optimal treatment approaches for fentanyl, according to a review published in February 2017 by doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Part of this dependence comes from what happens when the drugs clear the body. The drug’s departure causes an imbalance in brain chemistry — called withdrawal — that can elevate blood pressure, cause diarrhea and trigger feelings of dysphoria and anxiety. Two milligrams—the miniscule amount of fentanyl it takes to trigger a potentially fatal reaction—can drastically slow your breathing or even bring it to a complete stop. Lack of oxygen flow to the brain can lead to coma, permanent brain damage and death. Fentanyl is often administered to patients—many of whom have suffered a traumatic injury or are terminally ill—to relieve severe pain.

In conclusion, the illicit market for fentanyl is a complex and evolving phenomenon that poses significant challenges to public health and safety. While there is a demand for the drug, buying fentanyl is a dangerous and illegal activity that can lead to severe consequences. Preventing fentanyl-related harms requires a comprehensive and coordinated response that addresses the root causes of substance use disorders and promotes evidence-based interventions that save lives and reduce suffering.