Beware of drug-checking results on the Darknet
Recently, we have increasingly observed that stores on the Darknet are advertising their products with drug checking results. They post screenshots of analysis results and use them as a "quality feature". However, this is a problematic development that can lead to a false sense of security.
Even if the drug-checking results shown are partly genuine, they can be misleading for various reasons:
In our work, we have found that substances purchased online tend to be of slightly higher quality than on the offline market, but dangerous misdeclarations are also more common. For example, we analyzed a supposed heroin sample that instead contained a mixture of 2C-B, amphetamine and caffeine - a potentially life-threatening combination. Counterfeit drugs that contain highly potent new psychoactive substances instead of the original active ingredient are also being sold time and again.
The greatest risk is that users believe a supposedly "tested" substance to be safe and take fewer precautions. Therefore, do not blindly trust screenshots and claims on the Darknet. Sellers are primarily interested in maximizing profits. Therefore, always have your substances tested yourself and apply safer use rules regardless of the declared quality: Dose low when first consuming, never consume alone and inform yourself well about the substance beforehand. Although the digitalization of the substance market offers advantages, it does not replace personal responsibility for your own consumption.
