If a doctor prescribes you medication, there are many checks and balances in place to ensure you receive what you need, in the quantities you need. If you buy drugs from the dark web or other nefarious sources, however, that’s another matter.
In fact, a recent study shows, purchasing drugs from the dark web is a bit like playing the lottery or putting a bet on a horse. You may receive what you expected, but there’s a good chance you won’t.
Important drug education
While the RMIT-led study of illicit drugs bought online couldn’t be described as extensive – only 103 illicit drug samples were purchased and analysed – the results do provide important drug education and a snapshot of the issue.
The study found that of the 103 samples, only 65 per cent contained what was advertised. Of the 35 per cent of drugs that didn’t match with expectations, 14 per cent had a mixture of the advertised substance combined with another chemical. Perhaps most shocking, 21 per cent didn’t contain any of the substance that had been advertised.
Here are some other interesting findings from the study:
- MDMA (ecstasy), methamphetamines and heroin sourced were consistently found to contain what was advertised.
- Products sold as ketamine, 2C-B and alprazolam were most likely to be completely substituted with other substances.
- Meanwhile, if you ordered cocaine online, the study would suggest you’d be unlikely to receive what you expected. Of the 19 cocaine samples tested in the study, 13 contained other substances as well as cocaine, while two samples did not contain any cocaine at all.
According to an article on EurekaAlert, the issue is more than just about false advertising. While taking any illicit drug can have dangerous consequences, not knowing what you are taking can increase the risks of unwanted side effects, potential overdose or death.
Compounding this risk – believe it or not – is that suppliers of drugs on the dark web are often perceived to be accountable by buyers.
Lead researcher Dr Monica Barratt, says in the article, “Cryptomarkets allow anonymous buyers to review purchases, which theoretically means vendors who sell inferior products are more likely to receive bad reviews, thereby rewarding vendors selling superior products,” said Barratt in the article.
“But despite this perception of accountability and quality, our findings show prohibited drugs purchased from cryptomarkets are still not safe from adulteration and substitution.”
What’s in that illegal drug?
Of course, the issue with the purchase of illicit drugs, or the purchase of licit drugs used without prescription, is that the underground nature of the drug trade means there are no regulations governing the production, distribution and quality.
As a result, buyers frequently encounter unexpected substances or adulterants in their purchases, which can pose serious health hazards. From diluted or counterfeit drugs to potentially lethal additives, the contents of illicit substances are often far from what buyers anticipate.
Furthermore, the lack of quality control and oversight means that dosages can vary widely, leading to unintentional overdose or adverse reactions. Additionally, the clandestine nature of illegal drug transactions makes it difficult for buyers to verify the purity and safety of the substances they acquire.
With drugs estimated to account for around two-thirds of darknet market activity, the RMIT-led study is worrying news and a wake up call for authorities.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
If you purchase illicit drugs off the dark web, are you likely to get what you expect? Credit Alexander Grey https://unsplash.com/photos/yellow-medication-pill-on-persons-hand-nj9tmN-7YMA and rupixen https://unsplash.com/photos/person-using-laptop-computer-holding-card-Q59HmzK38eQ
