“Three social media giants team up with US to combat distribution of synthetic drugs” | WGN Radio 720

Preventing Online Distribution of Synthetic Drugs: US Signs Memorandum with Social Media Companies

The United States Joins Forces with Social Media Giants to Combat Synthetic Drug Distribution

In a groundbreaking move, the United States has signed a memorandum with leading social media companies to tackle the distribution of synthetic drugs on their platforms. The initiative, known as the Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms, brings together the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Meta (owner of Facebook and WhatsApp), X, and Snap Inc. (owner of Snapchat) in a collective effort to disrupt illegal drug activities online and raise awareness about the dangers of synthetic drug misuse.

During the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the crucial role that technology companies play in combating the international crisis of synthetic drug use. She highlighted the need for collaboration among governments, sectors, and companies to address this pressing issue, noting that online platforms have been exploited by criminals to coordinate illicit drug activities.

While specific actions to reduce online synthetic drug distribution were not detailed, Snap global platform safety chief Jacqueline Beauchere outlined the company’s existing efforts to make its platform inhospitable to drug distributors. Meta trust and safety vice president Nell McCarthy also highlighted the potential of their platform to aid in combating the opioid epidemic by facilitating connections among families, individuals in recovery, and anti-stigma organizations.

The Prevent Alliance stems from discussions initiated at the U.N. General Assembly in September 2023 and aligns with the U.S. State Department’s Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Maggie Nardi emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including companies involved in production, distribution, and financial networks, to play a role in addressing illicit drug distribution.

Delphine Schantz, head of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime’s New York office, provided a global perspective on illicit drug use, citing the 2024 World Drug Report’s findings of a significant increase in drug consumption over the past decade. With the opioid crisis claiming thousands of lives each year in the United States alone, the collaboration between the government and social media giants marks a crucial step towards combating synthetic drug distribution and safeguarding public health.

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