As the United States grapples with an escalating opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reaching out to major tech companies to address the surge of illegal online drug sales, particularly fentanyl.
Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok are expected to participate in a teleconference in mid-December to discuss their role in combating the opioid epidemic. The meeting, reported by The Information, highlights the increasing pressure on online platforms to take responsibility in curbing the distribution of illicit drugs.
“The planned meeting is a critical step in engaging tech giants on this issue, focusing on increasing scrutiny of illegal activities on their platforms,” said Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies (ICDPS) at Shanghai University, in an interview with CGTN. “It is an acknowledgment by Trump’s team that, to effectively combat fentanyl trafficking, collaboration with tech companies is essential, especially for monitoring online drug markets.”
The opioid crisis has claimed thousands of lives annually, with fentanyl—a synthetic opioid—being a driving factor behind the surge in overdose deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 108,000 overdose fatalities in 2023 alone.
A 2024 study from Johns Hopkins University found that synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, have exacerbated the crisis, partly due to the proliferation of online markets where these drugs are easily purchased.
By engaging with tech companies, Trump’s transition team aims to develop strategies to monitor and reduce the online sale of illicit drugs, potentially saving thousands of lives and addressing a critical public health issue.
Reference(s):
Can Trump's push to engage tech companies curb online drug sales?
cgtn.com
