Characterising dark net marketplace purchasers in a sample of regular psychostimulant users

Abstract

Though a small minority of participants reported having purchased drugs online in the preceding six months, these appeared to be a more 'entrenched' group of consumers, with more diverse substance use and rates of criminal activity. For consumers in the current sample reporting recent dark net usage, country borders are now less of a significant barrier to purchase and there is a wider range of substances available than ever before.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) on cryptomarket fora: An exploratory study of characteristics of forum activity between NPS buyers and vendors

“…Van Buskirk et al, (2016a) Cryptomarket fora discussing NPS operate similarly to Surface web indigenous harm reduction information exchange (Bancroft & Scott Reid, 2015;Barratt et al, 2016;Martin 2014b, Rhumorbarbe et al 2016Van Hout, 2014;Van Hout & Hearne, 2015). Sharing of information on NPS product quality in this study appeared supported by cryptomarket mechanisms of product review, user home testing of quality and user reporting of experiences.…”

“…Similar to other earlier cryptomarket studies ( Van Hout Cryptomarkets in this way appear to serve the market needs of NPS users. These markets have been observed to cater for users of well-known conventional illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals (Bancroft & Scott Reid, 2016;Barratt, Maddox, Lenton, & Allen, 2016;Barratt, Ferris, & Winstock, 2016;van Buskirk et al, 2016a). Most cryptomarket drug use described by Barratt et al (2016) can be characterised as recreational, with some dependent or problematic use also described.…”

“…Cryptomarkets are defined as anonymous online marketplaces which host multiple vendors, use cryptocurrencies for transactioning, provide feedback via customer ratings, and are primarily focused on the commodities of illicit drugs (Barratt and Aldridge 2016;Van Buskirk et al, 2016a). The most recent estimation of annual global turnover of cryptomarkets by Soska & Christin (2015) exceeds US$100 million.…”

“…Wholesale activity on cryptomarkets stimulates diffusion and diversity of new drugs, alongside a wider range of drugs (Dolliver, 2015;Aldridge and Décary-Hétu, 2016). Van Buskirk et al, (2016a) have reported on the profile of cryptomarket drug purchasers, who tend to be younger, and have used a greater repertoire of drugs in the past six months, particularly NPS and psychedelics. In contrast with Surface Web fora, cryptomarket fora permit discussions around vendors, sourcing and NPS product quality (Hearne & Van Hout, 2016) and host knowledge around enhancing effects and indigenous harm reduction practices (Barratt and Aldridge, 2016).…”

Adverse Effects of Amphetamines on the Cardiovascular System: Review and Retrospective Analyses of Trends

“…Dozens of e-markets are active on the darknet e-marketplace, including; Hansa, Darknet Hero League, AlphaBay, Agora, Nucleus Market, Majestic Garden, Real Deal Market, Oasis, Abraxas, Outlaw Market, Middle Earth, Silkkitie, Oxygen, Tochka Market, and Arsenal (Al-Imam et al, 2017;Biddle et al, 2002;Van Buskirk et al, 2016). Those e-markets can be systematically analysed and thoroughly mapped not only for NPS e-trade activities, but also from a social science perspective, the aim is to analyse and categorise the basis of power (authority) for e-markets, e-vendors, and e-customers (Dahl, 1957;Spekman, 1979;Wrong, 1980).…”