Today, we observe National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a critical time to highlight the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of working together to help prevent fentanyl-related deaths. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, significantly stronger than other opioids, and its presence in the illicit drug market poses a grave risk.

At Snap, the safety of our community is paramount. We are deeply committed to removing content associated with the spread of illicit pills and powders that may be laced with fentanyl, and proactively educating the Snapchat community about the dangers of fentanyl. We are taking proactive steps to try to address this issue by:

• Identifying and removing content that facilitates or promotes the sale of illicit drugs, including fentanyl. In 2024, we removed more than 2.4 million pieces of drug-related content, disabled the 516,000 related accounts, and took steps to block the devices associated with those accounts from using Snapchat. More than 90% of the overall illicit drug activity we detected in 2024 was identified proactively, allowing us to remove this content even before a member of our community reported it to us.

• Collaborating closely with law enforcement and expert organizations dedicated to combating and raising awareness on fentanyl, including Song for Charlie.

• Providing resources and information directly in our app to help educate our community about the risks of fentanyl and where to seek help.

Education and awareness are essential tools in addressing the fentanyl crisis. We urge everyone to learn more about fentanyl and its dangers.

What Snap is Doing

To combat fentanyl and other illicit drug sales on our platform, we have implemented the following measures:

• Advanced Technology: We use proactive detection technology in our efforts to identify and remove content that violates our policies on illicit drug sales.

• Community Reporting: We encourage our community to report any suspicious activity or content related to illicit drug sales.

• Strategic Engagement: We work closely with law enforcement, drug prevention organizations, and groups like Song for Charlie to share insights and coordinate efforts.

How You Can Help

You can make a difference by:

• Staying Informed: Learn about the dangers of fentanyl and share this knowledge with others.

• Reporting: If you encounter content that promotes or facilitates illicit drug sales, report it immediately to the relevant platform. 

• Supporting Prevention: Engage with and support local organizations that are actively working to address the opioid crisis.

Resources

We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our community. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against fentanyl.