How to Find Drugs Online
While responses to the pandemic varied (Capano et al., 2020; Sedgwick et al., 2022), many governments enacted lockdown measures that enforced stay-at-home orders (Welker et al., 2020). A number of our leisure activities also relied heavily on computing technology, including some people’s pursuit of illegal drugs. Those who seek to distribute illegal drugs via the internet must deal with a number of technological challenges to ensure that the deals do not draw the attention of law enforcement.
Drug dealers are branching out to platforms and apps, popular with young people, such as Instagram, Tinder, Kik and shopping app Depop to sell their wares. These can be anything from prescription medication and research chemicals to recreational drugs. To purchase something on Silk Road, you need first to buy some Bitcoins using a service like Mt. Gox Bitcoin Exchange. Then, create an account on Silk Road, deposit some bitcoins, and start buying drugs.
- But consumers seeking health products online can find dozens of sites that the FDA says are legally questionable.
- With a renewed focus on Fentanyl-related deaths among young people, we are now seeing the drug epidemic move to social media and many parents have no clue it’s happening.
- According to the Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, one in five teens have already tried prescription drugs illegally.
- We receive advertising fees from purchases through the BetterHelp links below.
- Studies addressing the quality of these drugs have tended to use crude techniques designed to pick up blatant counterfeits but not to evaluate handling or labeling or to detect impurities, degraded products, potency issues or the potential for drug abuse.
- Bitcoins have been called a “crypto-currency,” the online equivalent of a brown paper bag of cash.
Finding drugs online can be a daunting task, especially with the vast amount of information available on the internet. It’s essential to navigate this carefully to ensure safety and legality. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to find drugs online.
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He encourages his friends to bring any newly acquired drugs to his house to have them tested as well. Snapchat and Instagram are the popular platforms for this, but it happens on other platforms too. Dealers post photos with captions that include hashtags, emojis and instructions for contacting the them. Communication and transactions usually occur off of the site using encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Kik.
Understanding the Risks
Before diving into the process, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved:
“About 90 percent of the pills that you’re buying from a dealer on social media now are fentanyl,” Mr. Gire said. Paul believes that any effort to moderate the communities will be futile, and that now platforms have an incentive — keeping users on their websites — to keep meth content online. Despite abandoning his Tumblr account, part of a longstanding meth-devoted community on the platform that creates drug use content and advertises drugs for sale, J. Despite explicitly banning “content that depicts abuse of or giving instructions on how to create hard drugs such as cocaine or opioids,” YouTube continues to host homemade videos of people smoking and glorifying meth. A search of the popular meth slang “clouds” along with “meth” brought up dozens of videos of people abusing methamphetamine, some with more than 100,000 views. On Twitter, users with thousands and tens of thousands of followers shared Zoom links to meth-focused rooms, post meth videos using hashtags like #CrystalMeth, and publish pornography that shows people injecting what appears to be methamphetamine.
Another way to find an accredited website is to look for .pharmacy at the end of the web address. Karenza Moore, an expert on club drugs at Newcastle University, said neither banning drugs nor seizing them had much impact on the public’s ability to buy them. Now based in Dubai, Telegram was started in 2013 by Russian brothers Pavel and Nicolai Durov and now has 700 million active monthly users. Authorities hope that big drug seizures will have a knock-on effect on supply, in turn increasing the price of drugs.
Listwise deletion was used because there were no discernable patterns related to the missing data as they appear to be missing at random. All samples were balanced according to census data on sex, ethnicity, and race. Online samples are generally found to be similar to random probability-based samples (MacInnis et al., 2018; Simmons & Bobo, 2015; Weinberg et al., 2014).
Instagram and Snapchat have released a Parent and Carers Guide, which covers topics such as ‘tips for talking to your teen’, ‘managing privacy’, ‘support around self-harm and negative thoughts’ and much more. Five years ago, Feinberg created a fake Instagram account to follow and exchange direct messages with suspected drug dealers. He showed TODAY advertisements for popular exercise equipment, a major streaming service, children’s entertainment and fast food. “Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms,” the federal agency warns. Historically, the proportion of people obtaining drugs via the Internet has been small, but it will almost certainly grow. We are only beginning to understand the hazards and benefits of this shift.
- Legal Issues: Many drugs are illegal to possess or distribute without a prescription.
- Health Risks: Purchasing from unregulated sources may result in counterfeit or harmful substances.
- Privacy Concerns: Transactions may expose personal information.
Steps to Find Drugs Online Safely
Here’s a structured approach to find drugs online while minimizing risks:
- Research and Verify: Start by researching legitimate pharmacies and websites. Look for reviews and ratings.
- Check for Licensing: Ensure the pharmacy is licensed and being regulated by a governmental agency.
- Consult a Professional: Speak with a healthcare provider for guidance on obtaining prescriptions legally.
- Use a Secure Payment Method: Opt for payment methods that offer buyer protection.
Where to Look
Once you’ve established a plan and understood the risks, consider these options:
- Online Pharmacies: Look for accredited online pharmacies that require a prescription.
- Forums and Discussion Boards: Engage in reputable health forums where members share experiences.
- Social Media Groups: Some groups discuss safe drug usage, but exercise caution.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it safe to buy drugs online?
Safety depends on the source. Always use reputable pharmacies and consult with healthcare professionals.
2. How can I verify an online pharmacy?
Check for certification from organizations like the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
3. What should I do if I receive counterfeit drugs?
Do not consume them. Report the incident to local authorities and discontinue use.
4. Can I find prescription drugs without a prescription?
While some sites may offer this, it’s illegal and poses significant health risks.
Conclusion
Finding drugs online requires careful consideration and ethical decision-making. By following the outlined steps and prioritizing safety, individuals can navigate the online drug landscape more effectively.
Always keep health and legality at the forefront of any online decisions regarding drugs.
