Do you have a cite for that? I'm skeptical that there are a lot of "I don't know you, have some free drugs" organized loss-leader operations happening.

I suspect this is actually mostly propaganda and exaggeration, and that the actual practice—to the extent it exists—is more like offering a small sample to a well-known existing customer.

> Do you have a cite for that?

I have first hand experience that this does indeed happen...

Drug dealers have a desire to expand their customer base just as much as any other small business but have very limited ways in which to do so.

You're suspicions are correct IME. Direct marketing isn't an option for illegal substances, you have to know someone that knows someone, otherwise the police would just wander around all day waiting for offers. Also at the leaf nodes of distribution there is unlikely to be enough cash reserves to be offering free product or even small samples, the leaf nodes are generally users themselves.

Mostly it seems to be propaganda that drugs can be addictive after a single hit, which is complete BS.

What happens when the consumer realizes this drug dealer has jacked up prices because they're giving product away? They go to the corner and find a cheaper alternative.

Uber wants to be the only dealer in town.

The barriers to entry aren't high enough.