Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 30, Issue 3 , Pages 271-274, April 2006

Knowledge and use of the internet as a source of controlled substances

An earlier version of these results was presented at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence in San Juan, PR, June 2004.

  • Susan M. Gordon, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seabrook House, P.O. Box 5055, Seabrook, NJ 08302, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +1 856 455 7575; fax: +1 856 453 1022.
    • ,
  • Robert F. Forman, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Alkemes, Cambridge, MA 92139, USA
    • ,
  • Candis Siatkowski, B.S.

      Affiliations

    • Caron Treatment Centers, Wernersville, PA 92139, USA

Received 26 August 2004; received in revised form 5 August 2005; accepted 10 August 2005.

Abstract 

Despite growing evidence that the internet is a source of controlled substances for nonmedical use, there is a lack of information about who is using it to obtain these drugs. One hundred adult drug-dependent inpatients in a private residential treatment program participated in a semistructured interview regarding how they obtained their drugs. Twenty-nine percent reported knowledge of the internet as a source of drugs, and 11% reported that they had used the internet to either buy drugs or locate a drug dealer. The results of this preliminary study suggest that the internet has become a source of controlled substances for some addicted individuals. Considerations for future research and clinical practice are described.

Keywords: Controlled substance, Drug source, Internet

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0740-5472(06)00012-2

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2005.08.013

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 30, Issue 3 , Pages 271-274, April 2006

Article Tools