Understanding the Risks of Buying Drugs Online
In today’s digital age, many individuals seek convenient ways to access various products, including pharmaceuticals. However, before exploring how to buy drugs online, it’s crucial to recognize the inherent risks involved.
Parents have understood the importance of keeping an eye on kids’ and teens’ social media activity for years. There are concerns about the platforms being used for online bullying and inappropriate sexual messaging, as well as used by adult predators to contact youths. Unless authorities have reasonable suspicion to believe that a package contains illegal substances, they cannot open it. Aware of that fact, well-regarded sellers will take measures to ensure that their products are well-concealed and packaged.
Prosecuting Ulbricht, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara, squeezed guilty pleas out of two men, prominent Bitcoin advocate Charles Shrem and Robert Faiella, for providing dollars-to-Bitcoin services for Silk Road users. Drug dealers have found subtle ways to sell drugs using drug emojis through social media apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. With the click of a button, kids are able to order illegal drugs online, and a package will be delivered by a mail carrier right to their front door. However, technology has changed the ease with which minors can purchase these illicit substances. Today, dealers target our kids through social media, right from the comfort of their homes. 96% of illegal online pharmacies reviewed by NABP did not require a valid prescription for the sale of prescription-only medicine.
Legal Implications
Some traditional substances, such as heroin, MDMA and cocaine, proved slightly harder to find. Some think the association with drugs will tarnish the young technology, or might draw the attention of federal authorities. “The real story with Silk Road is the quantity of people anxious to escape a centralized currency and trade,” a longtime bitcoin user named Maiya told us in a chat.
Like most scams, you can spot the con by looking at what sort of payment they accept. PayPal leaves a digital trail that is trackable, and PayPal as a company frequently turns data over to all levels of law enforcement. So perhaps not the greatest method of getting our hands on an illicit product. NABP has identified more than 40,000 websites that fail to comply with NABP patient safety and pharmacy practice standards, or applicable laws. Silk Road used to run an escrow system, where it acted as a middleman and held the money until the drugs arrived. The buyer then marked the drugs as ‘delivered’ and the money was released to the dealer.
Purchasing drugs online can lead to significant legal consequences, including:
- Fines and penalties
- Criminal charges
- Confiscation of goods
As noted by several multinational reports (EMCDDA, 2020; UNODC, 2021), there was only a temporary reduction of street drug markets and traditional drug markets were quickly restored. Either way, the data suggest there was a dynamic adaptation to the pandemic by drug purchasers. Given this change may have been driven more by convenience than any severe disruption in the supply of drugs, it is likely that those who experimented with online drug purchasing during the pandemic will continue this practice after the pandemic. Yet, as with past market disruptions, drug dealers and users adapted to the changing market conditions.
As Jessie admits, payment options like Venmo are the obvious choice for many, but because these transactions can appear publicly (unless you change your settings) it puts the entire enterprise at risk, as happened last year to a group of kids at Columbia University. A sophomore English major-slash-dealer who asked buyers to disguise their payments with “funny” captions was busted when these same descriptions ended up tipping off the cops. Host Ian Freeman had poked around Silk Road-at a time when it had 151 registered users, 38 listings for sale, and only 28 completed transactions-and saw its promise. “This could be the killer app for Bitcoins,” he said, since it allowed people to get “physical products that are normally fairly difficult to obtain; on a black market if you don’t know anyone selling you can’t buy it.” It is not uncommon for drugs purchased online to be laced with this poison. A child may think they are ordering prescription opioids, when in reality, these counterfeit pills are a combination of lethal doses of fentanyl combined with other medications.
“I found URLs for Empire and Nightmare in then minutes, and then I found my usual vendor and scored ten tabs of LSD and 7g of MDMA ready for Glastonbury.” A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Long has been a writer for Landmark Recovery since 2021. He specializes in research and writing about substance abuse from a scientific and social perspective. Unearthing information from underexplored, far-flung corners of the Internet, Long’s passion is finding emerging trends in substance use and treatment that the public should know about.
Health Risks
Obtaining medication without proper prescription might result in:
- Receiving counterfeit drugs
- Inconsistent dosages
- Potential drug interactions
Steps to Buy Drugs Online Safely
If you still consider navigating the online drug market, understanding the safe practices for how to buy drugs online is essential. Follow these steps to mitigate risks:
1. Research Licensed Pharmacies
Ensure that the online pharmacy is licensed and has positive reviews. Look for:
- Verification by national pharmacy boards
- Accreditation symbols, such as the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal
2. Consult Your Doctor
Before purchasing any medication, consult a healthcare professional. They can guide you on:
- Necessary prescriptions
- Suitable alternatives
3. Check for Secure Payment Options
When buying drugs online, ensure that the website uses secure payment methods to protect your financial information. Look for:
- SSL certificates
- Trusted payment gateways
4. Read Customer Reviews
Why Is Buying Drugs On The Dark Web So Dangerous?
Investigate the experiences of previous buyers. Customer reviews can give insight into:
- Product quality
- Delivery times
- Customer service
5. Look for Clear Contact Information
Reliable online pharmacies provide clear contact details, including:
- Physical address
- Customer service phone numbers
FAQs about Buying Drugs Online
- All one needs is a credit card, a computer, and an address to receive the drugs.
- According to the RCMP’s national headquarters and municipal police forces in cities such as Calgary, there are growing indications that the drug trade is increasingly moving to the dark web.
- Unfortunately, it is almost impossible for consumers to assess the risk of purchasing from an online pharmacy.
- Cannabis was clearly the drug most experimented with by respondents with fewer respondents reporting use of other types of drugs.
What are the common dangers of buying drugs online?
Common dangers include counterfeit medications, exposure to unsuitable dosage, and potential legal issues.
Can I buy prescription drugs online without a prescription?
Legally, you should never buy prescription drugs without a valid prescription. This practice can lead to serious health and legal consequences.
How can I ensure the medication I receive is safe?
Purchase only from verified and licensed pharmacies, consult with healthcare providers, and look for customer reviews and feedback.
Conclusion
While the convenience of how to buy drugs online may be appealing, it’s essential to prioritize safety and legality. Always conduct thorough research and consult health professionals before making any purchases.
