“Second years are my most active customers”, reveals student drug dealer in exclusive interview with The Boar News

In light of recent studies that have shown the increased usage of ‘study drugs’ at universities, The Boar News decided to go straight to the source and interview a student drug dealer at the University of Warwick. 

As a part of an investigation into the use of drugs at Warwick University, The Boar News spoke to a student drug dealer who has customers in Leamington Spa, Coventry, and Warwick University campus. Detailing the substances most requested by Warwick students, the student said: “I deal weed, mushrooms, ketamine, acid, and ‘study drugs’ like Ritalin and Adderall. I need to make a living, so I decided to start dealing last year.” 

“From what I’ve noticed, Warwick students love weed and ket.” 

They added: “University is expensive. Sometimes I understand why people feel so tempted to start dealing at university – there’s such a high demand, and few suppliers”.

Describing the apparent allure of drug dealing, the student mentioned incidents where he could make over £100 in a 30-minute period. Adding that drug dealing at university can aid in making social connections, he also said that “the feeling of owning your own business and working for yourself means that I am completely involved in the process”. 

The student also added that: “My margins are a lot lower than most people expect. Unless you grow your own shit, or have a serious connection or get it off the dark web, then it doesn’t feel like easy money. Yet, compared to a regular job where you’re on your feet for 9 hours, it feels easy.”

However, taking into consideration the ostensible ‘benefits’ of drug dealing, The Boar News questioned if the student has adapted the way he works due to a recent government announcement on UK drug usage. 

The announcement detailed a 10-year-strategy on decreasing drug usage levels, particularly among middle-class drug users. As a result, regular users of class A drugs could see their UK passports and driving licences taken away. 

There is a risk everyday, but the more deals you do, the less scary it becomes

– Student drug dealer

On the issue of the risk of being a drug dealer, the interviewee said: “Obviously, the major drawback to being a drug dealer is the law. There is a risk everyday, but the more deals you do, the less scary it becomes. But if you let the fact that it feels like the law doesn’t exist get to your head, you’ll become ignorant and you’ll get caught. You’ll end up slacking.” 

“The new UK drug bill doesn’t affect me as much as it does for recreational drug users. There is a distinction between using and dealing, and this bill largely regulates and polices recreational consumption”. 

The student said that UK drug legislation should focus more on “holistic methods of preventing and alleviating drug issues”, adding that “student drug usage shouldn’t be the main concern right now, the government should worry about their handling of the pandemic.”  

Focusing on the potential impact of the new drug bill, the student went on to discuss how the likelihood of drug usage decreasing is low, stating that the drug bill will “simply encourage students to take drugs behind closed doors”. 

He added: “People will not stop doing drugs because of this bill – it only demonises consumption. There was definitely a time as a student where if you were caught with drugs, the police would have been a little understanding. It doesn’t feel like that anymore.”  

Elaborating on what “holistic” methods governments should focus on, the student explains: 

“Decriminalising drugs lowers crime rates, it’s been tried and tested. Build more rehabilitation centres that focus on getting to the root of drug issues. There should be systems in place to help people. When you decriminalise drugs, rates of usage drop.”

The National Union of Students (NUS) has recently warned that the UK government’s crackdown on student drug usage could lead to fewer students seeking help, giving rise to potential mental health issues among younger communities. 

Whilst announcing the new drug usage policy, Home Secretary Priti Patel singled out recreational drugs among students, saying that their actions were “directly leading” to an increase in violent crime and deaths. 

In response to this policy announcement, a spokesperson for the drugs, alcohol and mental health charity With You, Rick Bradley said: “Universities and colleges are places where people often meet new friends, explore and try new things, while sometimes being influenced by peer pressure.

“With this in mind, we need to be careful not to criminalise people who for a variety of reasons may be experimenting with different substances.” 

Maybe students take drugs to take their minds off the fact that we are being cheated out of £9000 a year because of online learning

– Student drug dealer

With these reactions to drug policy in mind, The Boar News mentioned both Priti Patel and Rick Bradley’s quotes on student drug usage, and in response, the student said: “I think the government could be prioritising other national issues, especially among students. Maybe students take drugs to take their minds off the fact that we are being cheated out of £9000 a year because of online learning?”

In a more casual tone, the student turned to some of his fondest dealing memories. He pointed out that student drug dealers are “just students too, and sometimes I develop personal relationships with my customers. When I deal with a student, I sometimes smoke with them, and test the product.” 

He added: “It’s always funny when you’re selling to someone who brings you hella coins. Just head to the ATM mate. I don’t wanna be jingling on the journey back.” 

The interview turned towards the discussion of drug microdosing, and the potential impact it has on a student’s ability to study at university. On microdosing, the drug dealer said: “I have microdosed mushrooms before.” 

The student paused to laugh: “I definitely get high on my own supply, but so what? I noticed that my mood altered, and I felt lighter, but I didn’t attempt to study. My advice for anyone who is curious about trying microdosing is to have an open mind, and to make sure you are in the right mind-frame.” 

“You should be comfortable when you take drugs, it’s about your experience, not anyone else’s.”