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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 a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. However, despite its legal status, fentanyl is increasingly being sold online through illegal channels.
But fentanyl first made its way into the illicit drug supply about 10 years ago, particularly in areas east of the Mississippi River. Drug dealers started mixing the two drugs as a way to stretch their heroin supply. Fentanyl also started showing up in non-opioid drugs, such as cocaine and fake versions of prescription pills. As compared to other opioids found on illegal online dark web illegal drug markets, fentanyl tends to be more expensive. Though it carries the wholesale price of approximately $139 per gram compared to heroin’s $32 per gram, it is still financially beneficial for drug dealers to purchase fentanyl. 10 grams of fentanyl is estimated to provide the same dose as 1 kilogram of heroin that carries an estimated street value of $160,00 dollars.
At PNNL, teams of biologists, chemists, and engineers work every day to solve challenges related to chemical and biological detection and forensics. This multidisciplinary approach supports important national security missions, including the development, integration, and evaluation of methods to detect biomolecules such as illicit drugs. In the 1990s, a new transdermal skin patch for fentanyl was developed to treat chronic pain. The non-surgical delivery mechanism offered some unique advantages over other drugs, including quick onset of action, relatively few cardiovascular risks, and low histamine release. These attributes made it a good prescription choice for some patients, because it reduced some of the risks of medical complications that other pain relievers have.
This Is How Easy It Is To Order Deadly Opioids Over The Internet
The typical dealer selling deadly opioids does not fit a specific profile, which is a challenge for law enforcement. Buyers can visit Dark Net sites anonymously using special browsers and make purchases with virtual currencies like Bitcoin, making transactions difficult to trace. In contrast, people who have been addicted to heroin need to go out and find street vendors and pushers and buy from them. With opioids, users can order from their living room and never go out to the street.
Is it Safe to Buy Fentanyl Online?
No, it is not safe to buy fentanyl online. Online marketplaces that sell fentanyl are illegal and unregulated, which means that there is no guarantee of the quality or purity of the product. In fact, many of these products are counterfeit and may contain other dangerous substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or even fentanyl analogs that are even more potent than fentanyl itself. Additionally, buying fentanyl online puts you at risk of legal consequences, as it is illegal to possess or distribute this drug without a valid prescription.
Shots – Health News
This new research does not discount the potency and fatality of fentanyl when smoked, injected or otherwise ingested; always proceed with caution when interacting with unknown substances. It is important that we clarify and share new research as it becomes available. Note, this film was produced by an external, non-San Bernardino County entity and the distribution of this content is with the purpose of fentanyl awareness and prevention. If children are caught in school with drugs, they can be arrested, and the investigation will probably reach back to the household with Child and Family Services involved. Juvenile justice is a sensitive topic, with the focus on rehabilitation.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is a synthetic opioid that can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The potency and contents of illicit drugs, including IMF, is always changing. This makes it impossible for someone to know the strength or the mixture of substances in their drug product. IMF is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US, including Oregon.
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The staff started, quite literally, by Googling “fentanyl for sale,” they said. Posing as first-time buyers, they made contact with six responsive sellers. These sounded like sophisticated operations, offering discounts on bulk purchases and even trying to upsell the investigators to carfentanil, an even more powerful opioid. Last month, the Canadian government announced $3.5 million in funding to safe supply projects in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto. However, harm reduction proponents have told VICE World News the programs aren’t meeting demand.
- Typically, first time dealers will receive a sentence from a court of 180 days in jail and be placed on felony probation.
- Based upon the evidence-based effectiveness of fentanyl test strips in reducing overdoses, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Medical Association endorse the use of test trips.
- Students at CSU can receive medication assistance during the recovery process from abuse of heroin, pain medication, or other forms of opioid use.
- Mr. Webb, a laid-back snowboarder and skateboarder who, with the imminent birth of his first child, had become despondent over his pandemic-dimmed finances, bought Percocet, a prescription opioid, through a dealer on Snapchat.
- As a result, the production process becomes more streamlined and resource-effective, contributing to fentanyl’s reputation as a relatively inexpensive substance to create.
How to Identify Illegal Online Fentanyl Marketplaces
Illegal online fentanyl marketplaces often operate under the guise of legitimate pharmacies or drug stores. However, there are several red flags that can help you identify these illegal operations:
- Lack of a valid prescription: Legitimate online pharmacies require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider before they will sell you any medication, including fentanyl. If a website does not require a prescription, it is likely an illegal operation.
- No physical address or phone number: Legitimate online pharmacies have a physical address and a phone number that you can use to contact them. If a website does not provide this information, it is likely an illegal operation.
- Prices that are too good to be true: Illegally obtained fentanyl is often sold at prices that are significantly lower than the cost of a legitimate prescription. If a website is offering fentanyl at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
What to Do if You Suspect Someone is Selling Fentanyl Online
If you suspect that someone is selling fentanyl online, you should report it to law enforcement immediately. You can contact your local police department or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to report suspicious online activity. Additionally, if you or someone darknet market links you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, there are resources available to help. You can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for information and referral services.
Conclusion
Buying fentanyl online is illegal and dangerous. There is no guarantee of the quality or purity of the product, and you are putting yourself at risk of legal consequences. If you suspect that someone is selling fentanyl online, report it to law enforcement immediately. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, there are resources available to help. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before taking any medication, including fentanyl.
