How Kids Get Drugs On Social Media
Despite our pleas, and those of so many other victims’ families, and despite the subsequent promises of almost every major social media platform, organizations who track these deaths report that the problem is still growing. For the first time, we’ve seen an illicit marketplace on the dark web regulating itself with safety in mind since marketplaces stopped taking listings for hitmen. Even if the decision was made for commercial reasons – fatalities are bad for business – the removal of a drug as lethal as fentanyl is highly encouraging.
Darkweb sites are nearly impossible to trace through cyberspace and it takes years to disrupt their operations. The problem for DEA agents is that most illegal online drug markets are temporary and fleeting. They appear, make a sufficient amount of money through online drug sales, and then shut down the moment the government catches on.
Understanding the Risks and Legal Consequences
When considering how to buy drugs, it is essential to understand the substantial risks involved, both legally and personally. Engaging in illegal drug transactions can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Crack users are generally “hustling” and looking for a quick way to make money or gain food, but promises of future cooperation and assistance are often not met. Most live for the moment without making consistent commitments about the future. Conducting research among such a population then requires much tolerance and persistence to relocate a potential subject. One ill-fated strategy was to rely upon crack (or other) drug users to introduce ethnographers to crack sellers or their suppliers.
Legal Framework
Findings from this study suggest that there is strong potential to integrate low-level drug sellers—particularly those who know their clients well and are already engaging in practices of care towards them—in harm reduction programming. PWUD have already been integrated into community based initiatives that equip them to intervene quickly when overdose occurs [17, 50, 77]. Research has documented how PWUD frequently engage in “helping” and mutual aid behaviors—such as procuring and sharing drugs with each other—that are technically drug distribution or trafficking offences under drug laws [31, 32]. Programs that formally and explicitly engage with people who sell, share, or exchange drugs (activities that are frequently and often interchangeably referred to as “drug dealing”) in pursuit of harm reduction or public health goals are rarely documented. Framings of people who sell or supply drugs as predatory and morally reprehensible remain popular and enduring [20, 35].
Here, Tommy is troubled by the strength of the heroin he has just consumed, and is unwilling to sell it to Sonia, as he worries that it might cause a fatal overdose. This field note points to the potential benefits of integrating people who sell drugs into harm reduction programs within the context of the current opioid overdose crisis. Detectives in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office created undercover profiles on dating apps and were able to buy nearly a pound and a half of marijuana, one of the most commonly sold drugs in the U.S., as well as 280 grams of methamphetamine online. An undercover operation called “Swipe Left for Meth” displayed how people have been using apps to buy drugs and how online drug dealers have been promoting their products on their dating profiles. In September 2019, Volteface released a report called ‘DM For Details….Selling Drugs in the Age of Social Media‘. This looked at how social media was being used as a marketplace for illicit drugs and the impact it was having on young people.
The legal implications surrounding drug use and distribution vary significantly by country and jurisdiction. It is crucial to be aware of local laws before making any decisions. Here’s what to consider:
- Possession Laws: Many places enforce strict penalties on drug possession.
- Distribution Penalties: Selling drugs usually incurs harsher penalties than possession.
- Controlled Substances: Some drugs are classified as controlled substances, which can lead to serious legal repercussions.
Twitter presents some similar challenges because the types of people using it and their modes of expression are constantly changing. The findings by Mackey et al., therefore, should be viewed as living, with future research developing in parallel with the natural evolution of social media platforms and users. With the rise of social media apps, their convenience and lack of regulation, platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp, have become a major vehicle for drug sales, the report said. Nearly as convenient as calling an Uber or ordering a pizza, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office said in a report released Wednesday. Fentanyl was developed as a powerful pain relief drug for people with end-of-life cancers.
This will not be news to many but you might be surprised how young people are advertising on their Snapchat for you to add them to their Telegram account. Telegram first hit the global news in terms of a drug market when it was published in the recent edition of the Global Drugs Survey 2021. It highlighted that a dark web digital market called ‘Televend’ was operating on there. I grew up in the late 70’s and 80’s, and my social media was very different. I spent a lot of time in the 80’s listening to local and national radio stations.
Since the study phenomena was crack selling, persons who routinely sold crack were sought as key subjects. The ethnographer therefore must rapidly learn the various roles and functions performed by participants. Indeed, knowing street roles greatly assisted in the process of initial identification of individuals and activities taking place in drug dealing areas. With such knowledge, the ethnographer more easily identified individuals performing various roles in a “copping” area. Generally, persons willing to communicate with anyone entering a dealing area will be limited to those performing roles of low level distribution and those helping to generate sales. At the beginning of the project “Natural History of Crack Distribution/Abuse,” various strategies were utilized to identify crack sellers and dealers.
Identifying the Type of Drug
Understanding the specific type of drug you are interested in is vital. Different drugs have different effects, risks, and availability. Here are common categories:
- Prescription Drugs: Often purchased illegally but can have severe consequences if misused.
- Recreational Drugs: Such as marijuana, cocaine, or MDMA, which are often sought in underground markets.
- Performance Enhancers: Sometimes sought by athletes, these can carry significant health risks.
Consider the Source
Quality and safety are paramount when considering how to buy drugs. Here are options that are often considered:
- Dealers: Engaging with street dealers is illegal and highly risky.
- Online Markets: Some users turn to the dark web, but this comes with substantial risks including scams and law enforcement detection.
- Social Circles: Sometimes, drugs might be accessible through acquaintances, but this can also lead to legal trouble.
Health Risks
Regardless of the source, buying drugs carries significant health risks. It’s essential to think about:
- Purity: The purity of drugs can vary widely, leading to unintentional overdose or harmful side effects.
- Drug Interactions: Mixing substances can have deadly outcomes.
- Long-term Effects: Addiction, mental health issues, and other chronic health concerns are common outcomes of drug use.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Drug cartels produce and add fentanyl as an inexpensive filler to other illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, thereby increasing the potency.
- People are buying anything from hacked YouTube Premium accounts to fake watches.
- It is not uncommon for drugs purchased online to be laced with this poison.
- But if not handled properly, finding the right person to function in may occasionally participate in the conversation, the focus for the ethnographer is the respondent’s replies and questions.
What are the legal risks of buying drugs?
The legal risks often include arrest, incarceration, and a permanent criminal record.
How can I assess the quality of drugs?
There are no reliable methods to assess the quality when purchasing illegally, making it inherently dangerous.
What should I do if I want help with addiction?
If you are struggling with addiction or substance abuse, consider reaching out to healthcare professionals or support groups. There are resources available to help you.
Conclusion
In summary, understanding how to buy drugs encompasses more than simply finding a source. It involves navigating the complex landscape of laws, health risks, and the severe consequences that come with illegal drug use. It is crucial to weigh these factors carefully and consider seeking help if needed.
