Anyone following the Silk Road story could be forgiven for thinking that the online black market's shutdown in October 2013 and the sentencing of its owner to life in prison without possibility of parole last week meant the end of online drug sales. Nothing is further from the truth.

The results of the latest Global Drug Survey show the number of illicit drug users turning to the dark web – the hidden internet accessible with easily-obtained free software – is growing.

At its peak, Silk Road had 13,000 sales listings and comprised 70 per cent of the dark web drug trade. There are now more than 43,000 listings across more than 20 twenty stores – the largest active market has in excess of 16,000 advertisements for illegal drugs.

More than 10 per cent of Australian recent drug users bought from the dark web markets (compared with 5.9% worldwide) – a steady rise on previous years. They said they were more comfortable buying online than face to face, experienced less violence and got a better-quality product. Range and convenience play a part, but a safer drug using experience is key.

Online drug dealers have to compete for customers by offering better-quality service and product. Like any e-commerce, they depend on customer feedback and repeat business. The markets encourage communities where like-minded people chat online about drugs, favoured sellers, experiences and harm reduction. Some markets even employ medical professionals to provide tailored drug-use advice to customers.