Research paperResults of an international drug testing service for cryptomarket users
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.
Section snippets
Methods
The target population were drug consumers who submitted drugs sourced through cryptomarkets. Information about IDTS was offered in two cryptomarket forums that were operating during the data collection period (Silk Road 2.0 and Evolution Marketplace). The post linked to the IDTS Energy Control web page (http://energycontrol.org/noticias/528-international.html) where detailed information about the IDTS was offered. After submitting samples for analysis, users received a detailed report with drug
Results
From March 2014 to March 2015, a total of 219 samples were analyzed. The number of samples analyzed increased over time: March−June 2014 (n = 23), July−September 2014 (n = 50), October−December 2014 (n = 57), January−March 2015 (n = 89). Samples were submitted from Europe (n = 92, 42.0%), Australia (n = 57, 26.0%), United States (n = 46, 21.0%), China (n = 11, 5.0%), Canada (n = 7, 3.2%) and Argentina (n = 6, 2.7%).
In 200 of 219 samples (91.3%), the main result of analysis coincided with the information provided
Discussion
Cryptomarkets offer a wide variety of products, have system of feedback and rating and are partially controlled by administrators. These characteristics could influence the quality and purity of drugs offered as suggested by predictions of criminologists and economists studying the mechanisms of cryptomarkets (Aldridge and Décary-Hétu, 2014, Christin, 2013, Martin, 2014) and the perceptions of cryptomarket users (Barratt et al., 2014, van Hout and Bingham, 2013).
Some of our data are consistent
Conflicts of interest
The authors state that there are no conflicts to report.
Acknowledgements
We thank Rafael de la Torre (IMIM-Parc de Salut Mar) for his help in the analysis and interpretation of drug samples. Drug Testing Service is supported by grants from Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya (Generalitat de Catalunya, Subdirecció general de drogodependències) and Plan Nacional sobre Drogas (Ministerio de Sanidad, Política Social e Igualdad). This paper was written up without specific grant funding. Monica Barratt is supported by a National Health & Medical Research Council Early
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