Results of an international drug testing service for cryptomarket users

Abstract

Introduction

User surveys indicate that expectations of higher drug purity are a key reason for cryptomarket use. In 2014–2015, Spain's NGO Energy Control conducted a 1-year pilot project to provide a testing service to cryptomarket drug users using the Transnational European Drug Information (TEDI) guidelines. In this paper, we present content and purity data from the trial.

Methods

219 samples were analyzed by gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Users were asked to report what substance they allegedly purchased.

Results

40 different advertised substances were reported, although 77.6% were common recreational drugs (cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, LSD, ketamine, cannabis). In 200 samples (91.3%), the main result of analysis matched the advertised substance. Where the advertised compound was detected, purity levels (m ± SD) were: cocaine 71.6 ± 19.4%; MDMA (crystal) 88.3 ± 1.4%; MDMA (pills) 133.3 ± 38.4 mg; Amphetamine (speed) 51.3 ± 33.9%; LSD 123.6 ± 40.5 μg; Cannabis resin THC: 16.5 ± 7.5% CBD: 3.4 ± 1.5%; Ketamine 71.3 ± 38.4%. 39.8% of cocaine samples contained the adulterant levamisole (11.6 ± 8%). No adulterants were found in MDMA and LSD samples.

Discussion

The largest collection of test results from drug samples delivered from cryptomarkets are reported in this study. Most substances contained the advertised ingredient and most samples were of high purity. The representativeness of these results is unknown.

Introduction

Studies on cryptomarkets have focused on economic and criminological aspects (Aldridge and Décary-Hétu, 2014, Christin, 2013) and user characteristics and motivations (Barratt et al., 2014, van Hout and Bingham, 2013). Higher purity of substances and lower rates of adulteration, compared with ‘street’ markets, are reported as key reasons for their use. Most cryptomarket users who completed the Global Drug Survey in 2013 reported “better quality” of substances as a main reason for using cryptomarkets (Barratt et al., 2014), and “concern for street drug quality” and “higher purity” have also been frequently reported in discussion threads in these marketplaces (van Hout & Bingham, 2013). Indeed, many vendors advertise that their products are “lab tested” and claim to have no adulterants or very high quality. It has also been argued that consumer feedback mechanisms available through cryptomarkets would result in access to higher quality drugs (Aldridge and Décary-Hétu, 2014, Christin, 2013, Martin, 2014).

Since 1999, Spain's non-government organization Energy Control has offered its drug checking service as part of an integrated harm reduction service for recreational drug users. This service analyzes samples from Spanish illegal drug markets which are submitted by users at clubs, venues, rave parties or to Energy Control headquarters. In March 2014, Energy Control launched an International Drug Testing Service (IDTS) advertised only to cryptomarket users. IDTS objectives, procedures, methods and techniques follow the TEDI (Transnational European Drug Information) guidelines and methodology (TEDI, 2012). Preliminary results from the first 8 months of this service have been reported by Caudevilla (2016). In this paper, we present data about purity and adulteration of samples submitted to IDTS in 1-year activity, from March 2014 to March 2015. We also expand the discussion to further situate the findings and the limitations of this unique data source.