The online drug market spectrum

James Martin and Andrew Childs

Chapter 23 in Research Handbook on Drugs and Society, 2026, pp 293-304 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the spectrum of online drug markets, ranging from dark web cryptomarkets through to social media applications. Each online market presents a range of benefits and limitations to users. The choices facing prospective users are analysed via the security-efficiency trade-off, which posits that market participants can prioritise either efficiency or security, but not both. The chapter explores how users navigate this spectrum, often utilising multiple platforms based on their immediate needs and tolerances for risk. The continuous interplay between security and efficiency reflects the adaptability of users and the market's responsiveness to the ever-changing digital landscape. Innovations, like the integration of dark web features into encrypted chat apps, showcase how the online drug market is continuously evolving to strike new balances within the security–efficiency paradigm. To make informed choices, users must understand the dynamics of each platform and the inherent trade-offs. The chapter underscores the importance of ongoing research to capture the fluidity and intricacies of these digital drug markets, especially as new technologies and platforms emerge.

Keywords: Online drug market; Encrypted app; Social media; Cryptomarket; Dark web (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781802209136
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