Drugs & The Dark Net Tim Bingham Researcher emerging drug trends and on-line drug market places. 26th November 2014 Bray Drugs Awareness Conference

The ‘Deep Web’ is a secure and confidential communication lines by encryption of computer IP addresses using Tor anonymising software or web proxy to the Tor network (http://tor2web.org ). There is a shift toward widespread global availability of all drugs which is evident in the recent online presence of drug marketplaces

Historical perspective Drugs and the Hidden Web Feb 2011 2002 2009 The drug store Silk Road Tor Browser launched Binary Blue Stars A Figment Of Your Imagination Open Vendor Data Base

The launch of Silk Road as a competing public drug site was a challenge to the viability of OVDB, and particularly as Silk Road received significant publicity and attention. Traffic to the site ‘soared’ and ‘demand for the virtual currency drove up the value of one bitcoin to more than $30’ within weeks of the article’s publication Norris & Moses (2011)

Silk Road Vendors Advertising Page

October 2013

November 2013

Where are we now 2014

A decentralised marketplace no one owns the network platform for people to manage their own trade online 3. No Commission and No Fees

Harm Reduction Users and sellers alike can have the freedom to be open and express themselves in ways that are impossible in real life’. Provided a space where people could discuss drug safety, optimal dosing and harm reduction. It creates a community of individuals sharing their experiences and knowledge on harm reduction information in a non-judgemental environment where people felt safe to discuss drug related issues due to the anonymity of Tor. Matt Gleeson Stonetreeaus

Relationships between vendors and consumers are based on cyber levels of trust and professionalism, and supported by ‘stealth modes’, user feedback and resolution modes. ‘The advantage of Silkroad is your reputation is open to all. If you mess someone around its reflected in your feedback and ratings’. (Silk Road Vendor)

Vendors on the market places able to offer higher quality products than those generally available on the street. Online drug distribution removes many of the middlemen involved in conventional drug supply chains Posted directly from producers to consumers. Customer feedback plays a crucial role in regulating online drug markets

These market places also have the benefit of reducing the presence of visible, open air drug markets and reducing the risk of violence as the drugs are sourced with anonymity with greater levels of accountability when purchased. There are new opportunities for drug services to interact with individuals who are accessing these sites because as I observed they are often isolated from mainstream drug services

Thank You Tim Bingham Email info@timbingham.ie 086 389 3530 Twitter @binghaminfo