ONDCP Facilitates a Collaborative Effort Among Social Media Giants and Federal Agencies.
On Wednesday, February 18th, Drug Czar Sara Carter convened officials from the Trump Administration alongside representatives from major social media platforms, such as Meta, TikTok, X, YouTube, and Internet Works, for a roundtable discussion aimed at curbing the online sale of illicit drugs. In this digital era, where connectivity is king, it seems that drug dealers have taken to exploiting these very platforms designed for community engagement—often targeting the most vulnerable among us: our children. The discussions revolved around strategies to safeguard young users from the predatory tactics employed by drug traffickers online.
“Over the years, I’ve listened to countless families mourning the loss of a child or loved one who fell victim to drugs acquired through social media,” Director Carter remarked. “In many heartbreaking instances, these victims believed they were purchasing a safe pill, only to unknowingly ingest a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl. To avert such senseless tragedies, the ONDCP requires robust collaboration from social media companies, law enforcement, and a comprehensive government approach. Most importantly, as parents, we must educate our children about the dangers of drugs and actively monitor their social media interactions to shield them from those who intend to inflict irreversible harm.”
The participants expressed a commitment to bolster cooperation between law enforcement agencies and social media companies to combat the scourge of digital drug trafficking and mitigate the misuse of social platforms.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy | WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP | @ONDCP
