Imagine buying something online and then finding out it's not exactly what you ordered. That's exactly what's happening with online medicine. More than a third of illegal drugs purchased on the dark web are contaminated, according to a new study from Australia's RMIT University.
This fact highlights the dangers of purchasing medicines online and the urgent need for drug testing services in Australia.
buy illegal drugs online
Australian researchers investigated the online pharmaceutical market by analyzing 103 samples purchased from anonymous platforms and cryptocurrency markets.
These marketplaces, which operate on the dark web, offer a seemingly easy and discreet way to obtain a variety of drugs. These platforms have grown in popularity, attracting users from all walks of life, including individuals seeking recreational drugs, people struggling with addiction, and even those simply intrigued by online anonymity.
false drug description
The study found that 65% of the drugs matched their online descriptions, but this seemingly positive result could be misleading. While this may be indicative of the level of trustworthiness of some vendors, a closer look reveals a worrying reality.
drug contamination
Overall, 14% of the samples contained additional substances not mentioned online. This act of adding unknown substances, called adulteration, can lead to dangerous and even fatal drug interactions, as consumers unknowingly ingest a mixture of unknown chemicals. .
drug replacement
Even more worrying was the finding that 21% of medicines did not contain any of the advertised substances. This complete replacement poses serious health risks because consumers have no idea what they are actually consuming.
“Cryptocurrency markets allow anonymous buyers to review their purchases. This means that, in theory, vendors who sell inferior products are more likely to receive bad reviews, thereby making them more likely to sell superior products. This means that vendors who sell products are compensated,” said Dr. Monica Barratt.
“However, despite this recognition of accountability and quality, our findings show that banned drugs purchased from crypto markets are still not safe from adulteration and substitution. .”
Highest level of adulteration of cocaine
Cocaine users were at particular risk of receiving adulterated products. Drugs like MDMA, methamphetamine, and heroin were less likely to be contaminated, but cocaine samples often contained other substances, diluting their purity and making them more dangerous.
New psychoactive substances
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as designer drugs or legal highs, are a group of new drugs designed to mimic the effects of illicit drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and LSD. These may be synthetic versions of existing drugs, intended to circumvent existing drug laws or provide stronger or different effects.
Recent studies have detected different types of NPS in the drugs tested. These new drugs can be much more powerful than the counterfeit drugs and can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, and in extreme cases, a fatal overdose.
According to a 2023 study, fewer people are buying drugs on the dark web, preferring messaging and social media apps instead. Although these apps are easy to use, they lack the security and buyer protection found in darknet markets.
Australian authorities are focused on shutting down darknet markets to stop drug sales. However, this approach may not be effective as sellers quickly move to other markets, minimizing the impact of individual removals.
“These days, vendors have accounts in many markets, and if one goes down, clients can find it in other markets. This reduces the disruption of takedowns.” says Dr. Barratt.
drugs on the dark web
As people find new ways to obtain illegal drugs, it is important to launch more services to check the contents of these drugs. Currently, there is only one such service in Australia called CanTEST, and he plans to launch similar programs in two other states.
Although the illegal drug market may seem safe and anonymous, it can also be dangerous. There are hidden risks that buyers are unaware of. And while anonymity protects buyers, it also protects unscrupulous sellers, so no one can be held responsible if something goes wrong.
This study highlights that people often underestimate the risks associated with drugs on the dark web. To protect people from the hidden dangers of these markets, stronger safety measures are needed, both online and in the real world.
The research will be published in a journal drug and alcohol review.
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