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Diversion Of Prescription Drugs To The Black Market: What The States Are Doing To Curb The Tide
The Drug Black Market: An Overview
According to the International Labour Organization, human trafficking is approximately a $150 billion industry- the second most lucrative black market, second to only the illegal drug trade (Human Rights First, 2017). With an estimated 30.3 million adults and 10 million children being trafficked just in 2016, human trafficking demands the attention of individuals at all levels of society (International Labour Organization, 2017). The grey market refers to selling goods legally but outside the authorized distribution channels. These types of markets emerge because of the inefficiencies experienced during production since the goods produced are usually more than what distributors need. When there is an excess supply, the distributor decides to sell the goods to other distributors at a discounted price. As a result, the goods sold may not meet the quality standards expected and are not warranty-covered goods.
The drug black market is an illicit trade that encompasses a variety of illegal drugs, including but not limited to narcotics, stimulants, and hallucinogens. This underground economy thrives despite strict governmental regulations and law enforcement efforts.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the reference point on drugs and drug addiction information in Europe. Inaugurated in Lisbon in 1995, it is one of the EU’s decentralised agencies. Inner city communities suffer most from both the problem of drug abuse and the consequences of drug prohibition.
That would make the US black market worth around $2.55 trillion; still, that number is only an estimate. The actual cost of the underground market is nearly impossible to track. Black markets exist when people take part in “under the table” activities to avoid government price controls or taxes. The individuals are motivated by their desires to avoid penalties and restrictions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that medication distributors license with their state. States are responsible for overseeing the sale of medications by pharmacies and physicians, and all states have laws that restrict who can prescribe and provide medications, Farley added. “It’s important that people know about the hardship that people face due to the high cost of prescription drugs, in part because of just how widespread the problem is,” said Allison Bailey, the U.S. advocacy manager of the group. Silk Road provides a forum for drug distributors and suppliers to offer their products via the Internet to buyers through an encrypted network known as the Tor network. This encrypted network was used by suppliers and users masking the true Internet protocol addresses of its users, thereby providing complete anonymity. The study, published in 2019 in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology surveyed about 160 people who had traded diabetes supplies.
In a simultaneous investigation, our sister station in Philadelphia also had no problem finding prescription drugs for sale on craigslist. A seller told their undercover producer he has a business selling male enhancement supplements. Underground market transactions provide no recourse to the buyer in case the product is defective and a buyer in an underground market can suffer penalties and jail times just as easily as a seller can.
For Colombians, the process is more complicated because dollars are notnegotiable in the Colombian economy due to currency controls. That, combinedwith the fact that Colombia can only be reached by sea or air, has led to allkinds of ingenious methods for repatriating their proceeds. Natural opiates come from the poppy plant and include opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin. Synthetic opiates are manufactured in a lab but can have similar effects to their natural counterparts. The trips that come from an LSD trip last anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on dosage and other factors such as set and setting.
Characteristics of the Drug Black Market
Several key characteristics define the drug black market:
The United Nations estimates that current drug interdictionefforts intercept approximately 13% of heroin shipments and 28 to 40% ofcocaine shipments. It was because of the failure to stem the flow of productthat US officials started turning to tracking and seizing the money theresulted from drug sales. In the last decade federal and state law enforcementhave seized over $8 billion in drug cash and assets.
- Secrecy and Discretion: Transactions are often conducted in secret, with suppliers and consumers relying on encrypted communications.
- Variety of Products: The market offers a wide range of drugs, from marijuana to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
- Price Volatility: Prices fluctuate based on supply, demand, and law enforcement crackdowns.
- Risk of Legal Consequences: Participants face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Key Players in the Drug Black Market
The drug black market involves various players, each fulfilling specific roles:
- Producers: Individuals or organizations that cultivate or manufacture illegal drugs.
- Distributors: Middlemen who transport drugs from producers to retailers or consumers.
- Retailers: Street-level dealers who sell drugs directly to users.
- Consumers: End-users who purchase drugs for personal use.
Factors Contributing to the Drug Black Market
Several factors contribute to the persistence of the drug black market:
- Demand for Drugs: High demand for recreational and therapeutic substances leads to a thriving market.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty and lack of opportunity often push individuals into drug production and trafficking.
- Corruption: Corruption within law enforcement and government can facilitate the operation of the black market.
Impact on Society
The presence of the drug black market has profound impacts on society:
- Health Risks: Users often encounter dangerous, unregulated substances that can lead to overdose and death.
- Crime Rates: The illegal nature of the market contributes to higher crime rates, including violence and property crime.
- Economic Costs: Governments spend billions on enforcement, healthcare, and rehabilitation related to drug abuse.
- There is still marijuana consumption in these states, meaning a black market is supplying these individuals.
- It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data analyzed by Reuters shows.
- Under a rational addiction framework, long-run price increases raise the cost of initiating use.
- A federal act that would allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices was passed by the House but now faces hurdles in the Senate, Bailey noted.
FAQs about the Drug Black Market
Q: What types of drugs are commonly found in the black market?
A: Common drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Q: How does the black market affect drug prices?
A: Prices in the drug black market can be much higher than legal prices due to risks involved in production and distribution.
Q: What strategies can be used to combat the drug black market?
A: Strategies include decriminalization, harm reduction programs, and investing in community support systems to decrease demand.
Conclusion
The drug black market poses significant challenges to public health, safety, and legal systems worldwide. Understanding its dynamics is crucial for creating effective policies and interventions to combat its negative effects on society.
