The Psychonaut 2002 Project
is a European Union funded project (DG-Sanco) for searching the Internet for drug-related websites using a controlled search methodology.
It aims to collect and analyse
the information available on these websites,
and to develop an Early Warning System for professionals
providing information and suggestions concerning the
emerging drug markets (e-commerce), new drugs and new trends in drug use. This is a multi-site research project involving fifteen centres from nine European Countries and it analyses more than 4.000
sites in 8 languages.
Background
On Internet there are hundreds of web sites that advocate, sell and provide detailed 'recipes' for synthetizing, growing, consuming a variety of drugs.
These websites are easily accessible and provide mis-information and misuse of the scientific evidence.
They are targeting young people (high computer literacy) with attractive messages.
Yet, there is a lack of professional attention and a lack of evidence-based knowledge because Agencies focus on the 'real', as opposed to the 'virtual', market.
Aims
1) To develop a reliable methodology to search and assess for information online
2) To foster collection and analysis of data from web pages related to recreational/illicit substances
3) To provide professionals with easily accessible assessment of 'drugs on the Internet' through a new protected WEBSITE
4) To identify emerging trends that can be addressed for prevention and immediate intervention
5) To start an 'EARLY WARNING SYSTEM' at the European, national and regional level
Questions addressed
RE: ADVOCATING DRUGS
- How many sites do promote the use of drugs?
- Are they really easy to be accessed?
- Are they well developed?
- How do they compare with the anti-drugs sites?
- New drugs?
- Are there any useful information for professionals?
- How many sites do sell drugs?
- How often are these sites visited?
- Types of drugs sold?
- Distribution of drugs?
- Restricted access?
Substances investigated
1) Cannabis
2) Herbs, plants (psychoactive plants, ecological drugs)
3) Precursors to illicit drugs (manufacturing drugs)
4) Amphetamines
5) Heroin, opiates
6) Other stimulants, inhalants, solvents
7) Ecstasy (MDMA)
8) Cocaine
9) Prescription drugs
10) Tobacco
11) "Dance" drugs (Ketamine, LSD, GHB)
Methodology
We used Google.com and AltaVista.com to search using one keyword for each of the substances listed previously. We visited the first 100 results from both search engines. We also randomly sampled 5% of the remaining results.
We visited and assessed more than 4,000 websites. We entered data on each website visited into the Psychonaut database. Information gathered includes: Website name, Ranking number, Position towards the use of drugs, Possibility of purchasing drugs, Information on the owner of the website, Quality of the information available, Information on synthetizing substances etc.
References
See our publications' list: click here