The Dark Side of the Drugs Black Market
Despite efforts to stem their flow, drugs are accessible to anyone who wants them. In a recent government-sponsored survey of high school seniors, 55 percent said it would be “easy” for them to obtain cocaine, and 85 percent said it would be “easy” for them to obtain marijuana. In our inner-cities, access to drugs is especially easy, and the risk of arrest has proven to have a negligible deterrent effect.
The drugs black market represents a significant global issue, encompassing the illegal trade of controlled substances. This underground economy thrives in the shadows, often leading to severe societal repercussions.
- The FDA also advises that once you have identified a state-licensed online pharmacy, you should still make sure they require a prescription from your doctor, have a US street address and phone, and have a pharmacist on staff to answer questions.
- Unregulated drugs may contain different substances than advertised, or ingredients you don’t expect.
- The story centered on a federal raid of a string of black-market cannabis greenhouses built across 400 acres of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.
- Data suggests that almost 40 percent of the revenue from drug sales on the dark web is from marijuana.
- “Ensuring patients have access to the medicines they need is a top priority,” but exchanging medications outside regulated pharmacies “raises safety concerns,” said PhrRMA spokesman Andrew Powaleny.
- The recent surge of interest in remdesivir could change some of this dynamic.
Understanding the Drugs Black Market
Social Media Apps Have Made Buying Illegal Drugs About As Convenient As Ordering Pizza, Colorado AG Says
The drugs black market involves the production, distribution, and sale of drugs that are illegal or heavily regulated. These substances range from recreational drugs to pharmaceuticals. Key aspects include:
Many consumers still purchase marijuana from their pre-legalization dealer if there have been no prior problems.[xxii] Customers often remain loyal to their dealer, especially since the price of black market marijuana is considerably less than it is from the state. If a dealer is still making money, he or she will continue getting marijuana from an illegal source, preventing the black market’s fading away. Many clients will also continue going to a dealer because marijuana has a stigma and is not permitting by certain jobs. A drug dealer who spoke to CBC News said his role hasn’t changed since legalization because he caters to clients who do not want to be seen going into a dispensary.[xxiii] He caters to a nurse and a truck driver who are prohibited from using marijuana because of their job. If they were reported as going into a dispensary, they risk losing their job. Because of this and similar situations, black markets still persist even when the state allows the sale of marijuana.
- Supply Chains: The illegal drug trade has complex supply chains that often span multiple countries, including production sites, distribution networks, and retail markets.
- High Demand: Despite legal restrictions, the demand for certain drugs remains high, driving the black market. Factors influencing demand can include cultural acceptance, addiction issues, and socio-economic conditions.
- Profitability: The drugs black market is immensely profitable, with billions of dollars generated annually. This financial incentive leads to increased violence and corruption.
In addition, more than 25 percent of the U.S. population lives in states that have passed laws that allow for-profit firms to produce and sell marijuana for nonmedical purposes to adults ages 21 and older. Weiser urged social media companies to adopt strong, uniform practices to prevent and respond to illegal drug sales. He also called for a federal agency to oversee social media platforms and legislation that would give the federal government more access to their data. At the time of its closing, the platform had nearly 900,000 users, of which more than a third—roughly 326,000—were active.
According to federal court filings in the case against Ulbricht, the original site served as a marketplace where drug dealers are connected with buyers and have exchanged shipments of drugs for hundreds of millions of dollars-worth of Bitcoin, a type of online currency. Idle Fish said it removed listings that violated marketplace policies after illicit opioid sales were brought to its attention. The company said it prohibited “illegal behaviour by third-party sellers on the platform”, monitored listings and welcomed user reports that led to shutdowns. Under federal law, banks and credit unions face federal prosecution and penalties if they provide services to legal cannabis businesses since it is still a Schedule I substance, along with heroin and LSD.
Consequences of the Drugs Black Market
Some growers vent air late at night to prevent investigators and neighbors from detecting the odor. Mallinckrodt’s speciality generics subsidiary SpecGx sells its pain pills to a Chinese importer. In a statement, the company said it “has no manufacturing, distribution, sales force or in-country presence in China”. “I called Walgreens, and they said it was going to be about $600 for a month’s supply of what I researched is what I should take,” said Keck. “And on this online pharmacy, I think it was like $40 for the same amount, so that was a no-brainer.”
The repercussions of the drugs black market extend beyond individual users to impact entire communities and countries:
Mexican drug cartels are now heavily involved, and organized crime syndicates both manufacture and distribute the finished product as well as secure the main ingredients for domestic production in numerous smaller labs around the country. Superlabs produce larger quantities of meth at a time and are generally controlled by Mexican drug cartels, regardless of the side of the border on which the labs reside. At the turn of the century, many drugs were made illegal when a mood of temperance swept the nation. Alcohol prohibition quickly followed, and by 1918 the U.S. was officially a “dry” nation. It meant that, suddenly, people were arrested and jailed for doing what they had previously done without government interference. Prohibition also meant the emergence of a black market, operated by criminals and marked by violence.
At the same time, many growers and sellers have balked at adhering to state regulations and paying taxes and fees on their products. In California, for instance, growers have tried to evade the environmental regulations that all farms must observe, including ones on water usage. Investigators have found miles of complex, illegal irrigation systems in the state’s national forests, diverting hundreds of thousands of gallons of water daily to illegal farms, as streams run dry. These methods have allowed illegal growers to create and market a product with a price far below that of legal pot. Using tougher penalties for drug convictions has not reduced drug affordability; cocaine and heroin prices have fallen significantly, despite stronger enforcement. Less harsh sentencing for sellers of impure drugs will result, theoretically, in a higher proportion of rip-offs, because such sellers will spend less time in jail and face less deterrence than their pure-drug-selling counterparts.
- Increased Crime Rates: Illegal drug trade often leads to associated criminal activities, including violence, theft, and trafficking.
- Health Issues: The prevalence of unregulated substances contributes to public health crises, including overdoses and the spread of infectious diseases.
- Economic Strain: Governments spend significant resources combating drug-related issues, diverting funds from other critical areas such as education and healthcare.
FAQs about the Drugs Black Market
Q: What types of drugs are commonly found in the drugs black market?
A: Common drugs include cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and various synthetic drugs. Pharmaceutical medications, when diverted illegally, also contribute significantly.
Q: How do governments respond to the drugs black market?
A: Responses vary from strict law enforcement and criminalization to harm reduction strategies, which aim to minimize negative consequences of drug use.
Q: What role do socio-economic factors play in the drugs black market?
A: Factors such as poverty, lack of education, and unemployment can drive individuals to participate in the drugs black market, either as suppliers or consumers.
Potential Solutions to Combat the Drugs Black Market
Addressing the drugs black market requires multifaceted approaches, including:
- Policy Reform: Reevaluating drug laws and considering decriminalization or legalization for certain substances can reduce black market activity.
- Education and Prevention: Implementing educational programs about the risks of drug use and promoting healthy alternatives can mitigate demand.
- Treatment Access: Providing accessible treatment facilities for addiction can help individuals overcome substance dependency, thereby reducing the market’s size.
The drugs black market represents a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. A combined effort from governments, communities, and individuals is essential in addressing this ongoing challenge.
