Trusted Content

The Dangers Of Buying Drugs Online

Jennifer Cousineau MSCP, LPCI, NCC

Medically reviewed by

Jennifer Cousineau MSCP, LPCI, NCC

February 22, 2019

Many people struggling with drug addiction have turned to buying drugs from online marketplaces. While this may seem like a relatively low-risk way to get drugs, it comes with its own set of risks and dangers.

The Market Is Not Regulated

Obviously, black market drug markets are never regulated. But online drug markets are even less controlled than in-person markets. Among the multiple online drug-selling websites, there is no telling what is actually going on and how the site operates. Although they circumvent any laws by utilizing Bitcoin payment, there’s still a major risk in using them.

For example, although most sites claim privacy is at a premium, it’s still possible to hack these sites. And the government is well-aware of these sites and are more than ready to jump on anyone that they can find using them. The privacy tools may help keep you safe for a period of time, but it’s almost assured that you will eventually get caught.

And that’s just on the major black market sites. Buying drugs from other online sources (such as classified ads or online forums) is just asking for trouble. Who is the person you’re buying from? Can you really trust someone who won’t share their name with you? After all, you’re taking a major risk dealing with someone who could literally be anyone. Which leads to the next point…

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The Internet Is Anonymous

Do you know how to make your transactions completely private on the Internet? You can be sure that online drug dealers know a few methods. A poll by Pew Internet found that 86% of all Internet users mask their digital footprints using a variety of simple methods. And 55% of all of them know how to use methods to avoid being tracked by the government or law enforcement.

How do they do that? A variety of methods, including cleaning their cookies, using IP masking software, and hacking through other computer systems. They are working hard to maintain their privacy and to remain anonymous. There’s a good chance you’ll never learn their real name as you send them payment and wait for your drugs to arrive.

So basically, you’re sending money to someone you don’t know in the hope that they send you pure and safe drugs without putting you in any danger. That’s a major risk for anyone and one that is only increased in severity by the anonymous nature of the Internet. In fact, you may be buying from someone who is looking to put you away…

You May Be Getting Trapped

Online drug deals may seem like a safer way to buy, but law enforcement agencies are getting better at trapping people in these situations. For example, “Wired” reported on a major sting operation on an online drug network that grabbed eight people and threw them in jail for over 20 years. One of these people was a U.S. citizen.

And this wasn’t some little penny ante operation: it had far-reaching contacts and had serviced over 3,000 different customers in 34 countries across the globe. And yet, it featured only eight people and was taken down by a sting operation. If these companies can be taken down, what are the chances that law enforcement agencies aren’t finding ways to find buyers?

And what if they actually offer plea deals to these dealers as a way to snag buyers? Let’s say they found an online dealer that is willing to sell names to avoid staying out of prison. You’ll end up getting tracked down and taken down for buying drugs. Is that a potential with in-person dealers? Of course. But the anonymity of online exchanges increases the risks. And it also increases the potential danger of the drugs you’re buying…

There’s No Telling What May Be Added To The Drugs

One of the major dangers of buying drugs online is the additives that are likely to be added to your drug. Even if the site swears that the drugs are pure, there’s no way to check it. And stuffing drugs with fillers is a great way for them to increase their profit margin. A few common items you may find in online drugs include:

The danger here is obvious: impure drugs are incredibly dangerous and lead to the most potent and negative reactions. Of course, this danger is still present should you buy drugs from an in-person dealer. However, these dealers are less likely to add these substances because they likely know you personally and want to keep your business.

In fact, many in-person drug dealers may be almost like friends who are about your health. Even if they only care about you as a business prospect, they certainly don’t want to see you die. Online drug sources don’t care about your health or your business: they have plenty of people to replace you.

Avoid Buying Drugs Completely

Clearly, buying drugs online is a bad idea, but buying illegal drugs is never a good idea. However, if you’re suffering from an addiction, you may feel like you have no other choice. There’s always a choice: obtaining sobriety. And we can help. At RehabCenter.net, we have access to a wide range of resources that can help you achieve a drug-free life and maintain it. Contact us today.

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