As the United States battles an intensifying opioid crisis, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is stepping up efforts to curb the online sale of illegal drugs, with a particular focus on fentanyl.
Major tech companies—including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Snap, and TikTok—are slated to join a pivotal teleconference in mid-December, as reported by The Information. This gathering, occurring just weeks before Trump assumes office, highlights the increasing demand for online platforms to take a more active role in preventing the distribution of illicit substances.
\"The planned meeting is a critical step in engaging tech giants on this issue, focusing on increasing scrutiny of illegal activities on their platforms,\" stated Zhang Yong-an, professor and director of the International Center for Drug Policy Studies (ICDPS) at Shanghai University, 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 continues to claim thousands of lives each year in the U.S. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has been a significant contributor to the rise 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 further underscores the severity of the situation, revealing that the proliferation of online markets has made synthetic opioids like fentanyl more accessible, exacerbating the ongoing crisis.
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Can Trump's push to engage tech companies curb online drug sales?
cgtn.com
