As the United States grapples with an escalating opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reaching out to major tech companies in a bid to curb the online sale of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl.
In a teleconference scheduled for mid-December, tech giants including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok are expected to discuss their role in combating the opioid epidemic. The meeting, reported by The Information, underscores the mounting pressure on online platforms to take greater responsibility in preventing the distribution of illicit drugs through their services.
“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 at Shanghai University, speaking to 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 in the United States. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been a driving factor behind the surge in overdose deaths, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting 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, in part due to the proliferation of online markets where these drugs can be easily purchased. The study highlights the critical need for increased regulation and monitoring of online platforms to prevent the illegal sale of these substances.
The engagement of tech companies in this initiative reflects a broader shift toward leveraging technology to address public health crises. By collaborating with online platforms, authorities hope to disrupt the digital supply chains that facilitate the distribution of fentanyl and other opioids.
This development also signals an opportunity for international cooperation, as the production and distribution of fentanyl often involve cross-border activities. Enhanced collaboration between governments, tech companies, and international organizations could play a pivotal role in mitigating the opioid epidemic.
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Can Trump's push to engage tech companies curb online drug sales?
cgtn.com
