Regulations-Driven Black Market Conditions
The Most Expensive Drug in the Black Market
The world of illegal substances is vast and varied, with numerous drugs circulating through the black market. Among these, certain narcotics stand out due to their exorbitant prices.
At least 10 countries have implemented supervised-consumption sites, where people using drugs at least have trained staffers watching over them in case they overdose. A recent court ruling in Philadelphia suggested there may be a legal pathway to try that approach here. RAND researchers found several Chinese firms willing to ship a kilogram of nearly pure fentanyl to the United States for as little as $2,000.
Reference data for street prices were obtained from the Researched Abuse, Diversion and Addiction Related Surveillance (RADARS) System Drug Diversion program, which collects data from approximately 280 police agencies in 49 US states on a quarterly basis. Methods of the RADARS System Drug Diversion Program, which is operated by the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities, Nova Southeastern University (Miami, Florida), have been described previously [37]. For this study, a subset of 125 law enforcement reporters was selected based on prior consistency of reporting, level of diversion activity, and geographic distribution [38]. These agencies were from 46 US states, but were not sampled in a way to make them nationally representative. A standardized electronic form was developed to collect data about the prices paid for specific drug formulations and strengths. Each reporter received the survey quarterly, in April 2012 (covering January through March 2012) and July 2012 (covering April through June 2012).
One of the most intriguing topics surrounding illicit drugs is the most expensive drug in the black market. This designation often shifts based on various factors, including purity, demand, production costs, and geographic location.
Respondents were instructed to provide prices for the most common dosage strength they encountered for each opioid during the time period of interest, and not to respond for opioids with no encounters during the time period. But the most controversial provision enables Medicare to negotiate prices for certain expensive drugs that have been on the market for at least nine years. Black markets, also called shadow markets, come about when people want to exchange goods or services that are prohibited by governments. Black markets also arise when people don’t want to pay taxes on the transaction for legal or illegal goods or services.
According to the World Drug Report, Cocaine in the US costs between $25 and $200 a gram, with typical prices checking in at about $112 per gram. In 2016, the average price was about $93 when, in many places around the world, its purity also reached record highs. Those who regularly use Heroin will often develop a tolerance that can lead to physical dependence. Drug use by means of injection increases the risk of bacterial infections, blood poisoning, skin infections, and collapsed veins. The act of sharing needles increases individuals’ risk of spreading and contracting HIV and hepatitis B or C. Prices and dosages of drugs may differ per each country and are calculated as an average using publicly available data, but may be subject to errors, omissions, or typos.
Understanding the Costs
“It’s true that they talk about it in the gym,” confirms Teresa (not her real name), a personal trainer at an exclusive sports center in Madrid, Spain. “There’s a client who uses it and I know of a trainer at the [fitness] center who supplements his workouts with injections,” she says. She points out that the craze has been imported from the United States; it is not discussed openly. They call Ozempic the “Hollywood drug,” and it is the best known of its class of medication, GLP-1 receptor agonists, which could end obesity worldwide. Ozempic is a weekly injectable drug and in clinical trials it has been shown to promote a weight loss of about 15%. Although it has been approved and prescribed in Spain since 2017, its fame seems to have exploded in recent months, leading to shortages and people’s obsession with getting their hands on the precious injections.
Next, we’ll investigate the costs of these synthetic drugs and uncover the reasons for their steep prices. Though she doesn’t believe it’s okay to get some items on the black market, she believes it’s understandable why people go to great lengths to get the medications and supplies they need. “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. A report in Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology found that a lack of access and affordability — as well as altruism — are why people with chronic illnesses are using the black market.
The cost of illegal drugs can be influenced by several elements:
- Purity: Higher purity levels often lead to increased prices.
- Scarcity: Limited availability can drive prices upward.
- Geographical Factors: Prices can fluctuate dramatically from region to region.
- Law Enforcement: Increased police activity can raise costs due to heightened risks.
The Current Contenders
As of recent reports, here are some of the candidates considered the most expensive drugs in the black market:
- Insulin (Illegally Resold): Some individuals resort to illegally purchasing insulin, skyrocketing its price beyond regular pharmaceutical rates.
- Heroin: This opiate, especially when imported from certain regions, can reach upwards of thousands of dollars per gram.
- Cocaine: Particularly high-grade cocaine can sell for astronomical prices, depending on the area and network involved.
- Fentanyl: Due to its potency, fentanyl and its analogs can command high prices, posing significant risks to users.
- Psilocybin Mushrooms: Often sought after for their psychedelic properties, these can be expensive, particularly when sourced from rare species.
Why Do Prices Fluctuate?
Several dynamics can influence the prices of these drugs:
- There are only 13 cannabis cultivators currently in operation in the Garden State, and only 10 are authorized to grow cannabis for the adult-use market.
- Making it more difficult to move and hide illicit money is an overarching solution to the source of all of these problems, which are often approached as separate issues by law enforcement.
- It is particularly detrimental for drugs priced up to LBP399,000 ($279.30), which thereby saw their subsidy reduced from 100% to 40%, and which account for the majority (70%) of drugs manufactured in Lebanon.
- Economic conditions in the producing countries.
- Changes in law enforcement policies and drug legislation.
- Market competition among suppliers.
- Public health crises that shift demand for specific substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors contribute to a drug being deemed the most expensive?
Factors include purity, availability, demand, and legal risks associated with distribution.
How do users obtain these expensive drugs?
Many users rely on illegal networks, which can include street dealers, online marketplaces, or personal connections.
Are there legal repercussions for purchasing these drugs?
Yes, purchasing drugs from the black market is illegal and can result in severe criminal charges.
What are the dangers of using black market drugs?
Black market drugs often come with risks such as impurities, unknown dosages, and the potential for addiction or overdose.
Conclusion
The landscape of black market drugs continually evolves, with different substances competing for the title of the most expensive drug in the black market.
Understanding this dynamic marketplace is essential for comprehending the broader implications of drug trafficking and its impact on society.
