US-based popular social media platform Snapchat is rolling out an in-app tool to create awareness among its users who are searching for drug-related keywords about the dangers of drugs.
The announcement was made in line with a public safety warning issued by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) last week about the rise in counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, which are often sold on social media and eCommerce sites.
Recently, DEA chief Ms. Anne Milgrim stated that social media companies are not taking enough measures to control this problem. The world’s largest social networking platform, Facebook and other sites are under scrutiny by lawmakers over their impact on the safety and well-being of young users.
Earlier this year, Snap confronted the rage of parents whose children died after ingesting counterfeit pills. In 2020, the company said that it developed its own team that works with law enforcement to improve response times. It had also worked to improve its proactive detection capabilities to remove drug dealers from the platform.
“We’ve heard devastating stories from families affected by this crisis, including those who purchased fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills from drug dealers on Snapchat. We will work tirelessly to do better and do more to keep our community safe,” Snap said in a blog post.
Snap said it has also developed a video ad campaign and a new filter to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. A spokesperson of the company also said it would host a summit this month to improve lines of communication with law enforcement officials.
