Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
Drugs sold on cryptomarkets are thought to have lower levels of adulteration and higher strength compared with those sourced off-line. The present study aimed to determine whether cryptomarkets and off-line-sourced MDMA, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and LSD differed in adulteration and strength.
Findings/Key points
The relationship between on-line drug market-places and substance quality varies depending on both the specific substance and the dynamics of the cryptomarket.
Design/methods
A between-groups design was used. Regression analyses controlling for year and service were conducted. Drug-checking services were conducted in Spain (Energy Control) and the Netherlands (Drugs Information and Monitoring System). Drugs were measured for (1) matching the advertised substance (i.e. containing any amount of the expected substance); (2) strength; (3) presence of adulteration; and (4) number of adulterants.
