When Acquiring
Don't buy indiscriminately; find out in advance about the effects and side effects of the substance as well as its tolerable dosage, and be critical in your research.
When acquiring drugs, whether on the black market, from friends, or online, you're taking a difficult-to-assess risk: you never know for sure if you're getting the desired substance, what the actual potency is, or what adulterants it might contain. To determine the quantity, the exact ingredients, and any dangerous additives or impurities, a chemical analysis (drug checking) is necessary. Even if the actual potency is known, you should dose carefully and, with unanalyzed substances, always test a small dose first!
Whenever possible, take advantage of drug checking services, for example, on-site at larger parties in your area. These services are now also available at physical locations in many larger cities such as Zurich ( DIZ ), Bern & Biel ( dib ), Geneva ( nuit blanche? ), Basel ( dibs ), and Lucerne ( DILU ). The number of services is constantly growing; you can find current information about drug checking at www.eve-rave.ch or on the respective service's website.
Manufacturers circumvent narcotics laws by using substances that are not yet classified. These substances are often untested in humans. Furthermore, the information available on their websites is frequently distorted to promote sales ("works like ecstasy"). False labeling and unsanitary manufacturing practices pose additional risks.
Even so-called "natural drugs" can be dangerous. Their active ingredient content is very difficult to determine, can vary greatly, and is also very unpredictable (see also nightshade plants ).
Purchase on the Darknet
Acquiring substances via the darknet offers some obvious advantages, but also carries certain risks. The "darknet" refers to the part of the internet that cannot be found through conventional search engines like Google and where one can browse anonymously. A special browser (e.g., Tor Browser) is required. Online marketplaces offer a vast selection of substances. With just a few clicks, one can have their desired product delivered directly to their doorstep. Because intermediaries are eliminated and the substance is often sold directly to the consumer, substances acquired on the darknet are often of higher quality and available at a lower price. Face-to-face contact with a dealer is eliminated, thus removing the risk of conflict that could, in the worst case, lead to violence. Another advantage of buying through such a marketplace for the consumer is the ability to rate sellers and substances. This creates a kind of feedback system that can help in finding the desired product and warn against offers that may not match the description. However, this can also create a false sense of security. When buying on the darknet, never forget that you are dealing with people engaged in illegal activities, and you don't know them or their motives. Furthermore, the trade takes place in a location not controlled by law enforcement or authorities. There is never a 100% guarantee that the substance exactly matches the descriptions and ratings.
Other risks to be aware of before venturing into the darknet: Scammers, as well as law enforcement, are keen to gain your trust and will use every trick in the book to do so. Purchasing illegal substances is, of course, a crime, even though darknet marketplaces resemble legitimate marketplaces like Amazon in structure and appearance, and therefore seem relatively harmless. Ordering from abroad, in particular, carries a serious risk of goods being confiscated by customs and facing criminal charges. The fact that the seller can remain anonymous while the buyer must provide a (delivery) address also opens the door to extortion and similar scams. Even cryptocurrencies do not offer complete anonymity or protection from prosecution.
Because anonymity on the darknet offers a degree of protection from prosecution, all forms of cybercrime are naturally prevalent there, from malware and phishing attacks to identity theft. Illegal pornography is also widespread on the darknet. So be careful which sites you visit and which links you click! It's also advisable to cover your webcam before venturing onto the darknet.
Tzanetakis, M. (2018). Comparing cryptomarkets for drugs. A characterization of sellers and buyers over time. International Journal of Drug Policy , 56, pp. 176-186.
European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2017) Drugs and the darknet - Perspectives for enforcement, research and policy.
Horten B. & Gräber M. (2020). Cybercrime - Overview of current and future manifestations. Forensic Psychiatry, Psychology, Criminology , 14, pp. 233–241.
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