How People Buy Drugs Off The Internet
Understanding the Risks
When exploring how to purchase drugs online, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks involved. The internet can be a dangerous place, with many sellers not providing legitimate products.
These medicines may not have passed through the usual rigorous evaluation processes that ensure that a medicine is fit for the EU market. As many as six in 10 counterfeit prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl, the report said. That’s why it’s important to learn how to protect yourself when purchasing medicine online. They look like the real thing, but they may have been made under very dirty conditions. And they may contain ingredients like chalk, sugar, and flour instead of the medicine you need.
Legitimate vs. Illegal Sources
There are two main types of online drug sources:
The rate of Internet use is even higher among younger, more educated individuals and those with higher incomes. Two of the most popular uses of the Internet are to find medical information and access health care research and findings. Studies suggest that consumers use search engines to find health information but do not precisely specify their keywords or limit their searches in any way [7]. One of the major risks of purchasing drugs online is potentially buying laced or fake substances.
In addition to the legal risk, buying drugs on the dark web could put you at financial risk and risk of identity theft and fraud. Never buy from sites that sell prescription medicines without a prescription. Any site that sends you prescription medicines without first receiving a prescription from a doctor is breaking Australian law. A number of serious criminal offences are outlined under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) for the importation of a “border controlled drug” including most illicit drugs. The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre noted that between 2014 and 2020 the number of drug listings (the total number of substances advertised for sale across the analysed markets) increased from 11,308 to 41,880 across various markets.
- Legitimate pharmacies: Licensed and regulated, these pharmacies require prescriptions and follow safety protocols.
- Illegal sellers: Often unregulated, selling counterfeit or dangerous substances without prescriptions.
The Department of Law worked with representatives from Meta, Snapchat and TikTok to compile the report, as well as law enforcement, public health experts and harm reduction advocates. “However, we strongly disagree with how our brand is categorized here and we have been in contact with Attorney General Weiser’s office to refute the inaccurate claims in this report,” Whaling said. She said their platforms are “very inefficient” for drug sales since they are designed for one-on-one interactions and that the company has made proactive efforts to ban accounts that mention drugs. Counterfeit prescription drugs take advantage of those who simply want more affordable medicine. Here’s what organizations, including Pfizer, are doing to help stop it. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente.
When explaining a low drug cost, these raters related it to low operation costs, ad revenue, pressure to lower costs due to comparison shopping, and/or high sales volume. Those who said that pharmacy A or B was “a very bad place” for purchasing the drug (25%), as defined by a score of 1 or less, related low drug cost to lack of regulation, low drug quality, and/or customer information sales. About 16% of students thought that people should be advised to buy cheaper drugs at pharmacies such as these but the majority (62%) suggested that people should be warned against buying drugs from such internet sellers. Over 22% of respondents would recommend pharmacy A to friends and family (10% pharmacy B). One-third of participants supplied online health information to others for decision-making purposes.
Oftentimes, the website’s homepage will prominently feature popular drugs like erectile dysfunction pills, hair loss medication, and trending drugs. For example, many illegal online pharmacies featured hydroxychloroquine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the homepage may focus on drugs like these, the websites usually sell a wide variety of prescription-only drugs. This “digital underground” market makes purchasing drugs and substance abuse easy. It connects dealers and buyers through apps, online pharmacies, and location pins, provides them with free advertising, and even allows them to take payments digitally. However, buying drugs on the dark web or through social media is not safe and can lead to you losing your money, getting poor quality drugs, or overdosing from drugs cut with other substances like meth or fentanyl.
If you have a good story idea or tip, you can reach him by email at or on Twitter @ReidSouthwick. Another 24 per cent of sellers didn’t indicate the country they were shipping from. When a new seller comes along, he’ll look at reviews online, both on the dark and open web. Liam says he was drawn to the dark net in part because of the wide selection and the anonymity.
Before proceeding, assess the credibility of the source.
Steps to Purchase Drugs Online Safely
If you decide to purchase medications online, here are some steps to ensure a safer transaction:
- Research Online Pharmacies: Verify the pharmacy’s credentials. Look for certification by organizations like the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
- Check for a Valid Prescription: Reputable pharmacies will always require a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
- Read Reviews: Look for reviews or testimonials from previous customers to gauge the reliability of the seller.
- Secure Payment Options: Use payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or reputable payment services.
- Privacy Protection: Ensure that the pharmacy has a strong privacy policy to protect your personal information.
Common FAQs
Can I trust all online pharmacies?
No, not all online pharmacies are legitimate. Always verify credentials and look for certifications.
- They might ask, “Have you or your friends ever thought about buying drugs from someone online?
- Online illicit drug markets, such as the (now defunct) Silk Road connect dealers and users through encrypted networks designed to disguise the identity of users, allowing for anonymous transactions via cryptocurrency.
- After the deal is made, buyers send payment through apps such as Venmo, Paypal, or using cryptocurrencies.
What should I do if I receive a counterfeit product?
Report the seller to regulatory authorities and consult with a healthcare professional for guidance.
Are there risks involved in buying drugs online?
Yes, risks include receiving counterfeit medications, potential legal consequences, and health hazards.
How can I protect my personal information?
Use online pharmacies that have robust privacy policies and secure payment systems.
Conclusion
Understanding how to purchase drugs online requires careful consideration and due diligence. By following the guidelines above, you can mitigate risks associated with online drug purchases.
