Gilpin, Victoria and Smith, Robert B and Birkett, Jason W and Davis, James (2024) How 3D printing technologies could undermine law enforcement strategies targeting the production and distribution of designer drugs. Science & Justice, 64, (6), pp. 677-687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.10.004.
External website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Countering the supply of counterfeit and designer drug pills laced with fentanyl or its analogues has long been a challenge with the potency of the drug and the ease with which it can be obtained impacting greatly on families and the wider society. The introduction of legislative measures to restrict access to the machinery that allows the production of the pills has yielded considerable gains with numerous seizures of pill presses reported. However, the increasing availability of bench top milling machines and advances in 3D printing could render this a short term victory where the technology may be set to outpace the capabilities of conventional law enforcement. While pill presses were once born from high specification industrial machining, low cost mills and 3D printing systems are already at the stage of producing small format presses within the domestic home. Here, a spotlight is trained on fentanyl (and its analogues) from the perspective of pill manufacture and their supply. An overview of pill press mechanics and the approaches presently taken to counter distribution is provided and the potential influence that both milling systems and 3D printing technologies could have in the future is critically evaluated.
L Social psychology and related concepts > Availability, accessibility, and supply
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance related offence > Drug offence > Illegal production of drugs
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance related offence > Drug offence > Illegal distribution of drugs (drug market / dealing)
MM-MO Crime and law > Justice and enforcement system
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Supply reduction policy
N Communication, information and education > Digital technology
VA Geographic area > International
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