[Speculation] Where Does the DEA/FBI/DOJ Go From Here?

It's pretty obvious that in the past year or two we've seen a sea change in the way illegal drugs are sold and consumed. I have no research or statistics to point to, but I think that DNM use has simply exploded since SR started getting mentioned in news reports, and has gotten even bigger since the original SR shut down. And it seems unstoppable. Look: SR was brought down, and several months later there are a dozen markets in its place, with more users than the original SR. Hell, look at the clearnet: there were just two major DEA RC busts in the past year or two, but you can still find LSZ, ALD-52, fentanyl analogues, and a million other RC's in a 5 minute google search. It truly is a game of "whack a mole". The DEA's problem, as I see it, is that this cannot be contained. There is every reason, as word of mouth and news reports spread and the technology gets better and easier to use, that the DNM's will continue to explode. And when I say explode, I think it's realistic to assume that millions of Americans could start using DNM's. As usage explodes, we are going to see people do dumb things. DEA will try to keep this under wraps, but when a half dozen 14 year old girls will OD on DNM heroin at a sleepover, or thousands of white collar people start entering treatment saying they got hooked on DNM drugs, people will start demanding solutions. Or will they?

Let's say there is a public outcry: just what the fuck can LEO do to stop this? I posted a speculation about buyer busts yesterday; it seems like that would be one way to scare people away from DNM's. But will the trend be towards decriminalization and legalization, or will the government decide that they must make the drug laws even tougher to stop DNM's? For instance, what if congress put a five year mandatory minimum sentence in place for receiving or sending drugs through the USPS? The only thing I can compare DNM's to is pirating music (and I realize this is an inartful comparison): once people realized you could get free music without getting caught, pirating EXPLODED. There were a few high profile prosecutions/lawsuits against users with stiff punishments, which probably reduced pirating a little bit, temporarily. But in the end, what started with Napster began a revolutionary change in the way music was consumed. People probably still pirate -- right? -- but these new services like Spotify, etc. started, because people's behavior demanded it. And no nobody buys CD's anymore. Does anyone see the comparison I'm making?

I'm sorry for the somewhat rambling nature of this post, and I realize that all people can do here is hazard a guess, so here is my question: What happens from here? LEO can continue busting a few vendors every year, but that ain't gonna do dick to stop the DNM's. I just don't see the DEA, local police, and the prison industry giving up -- there's too much money to be made. They are either going to have to say "fuck it" and legalize, or start chopping heads off for simple possession. Which is it going to be?


Comments


[17 Points] hugsfordrugs:

Your Reddit submission history creeps me out lol. Shady, shady, shady.


[3 Points] badgrl2:

I could see a harsh mandatory minimum law get passed like they did when the crack explosion happened, but it already looks like they're intent on de-anonymizing bitcoin as much as they can...that's probably the route they'll keep using. Attacking btc wouldn't be as difficult or disruptive to society like giving suburban teens 10 year prison sentences would be. That or going after tor users maybe...?


[2 Points] galaxyandspace:

The government will fall, or have major reform, before we start legalizing drugs with the exception of pot.

Your statement about addiction irks me. 1. There are many rec users that will never be addicted. 2. Addiction is not too well understood by most people. Mainly those with other psych problems are prone to it. It is the last line tool the government uses to keep people away from drugs... 3. Addiction is something that will not disappear...


[-1 Points] NOTDEAFBIORNSA:

no need to worry