"Instagram Ads inundate B.C. individual after conversation about sobriety triggers focus on ketamine"
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has taken steps to prohibit advertisements and content attempting to buy, sell, or trade illicit drugs on their platforms. The tech giant enforces robust detection and removal systems, continually updating filters to block posts with new drug-related terms and hashtags.
Teega G. Eisner, a recovering addict who has been in recovery for ketamine abuse for three years, noticed drug advertisements on Instagram while waiting at Munich airport. The advertisements reappeared in Eisner's feed about 24 hours after he had a difficult conversation with family. One advertisement led to a website with a red maple leaf, promising a "safe and reliable source to buy ketamine online in Canada."
Eisner, who draws cartoons under the artist name SneakyStripes about substance use, recovery, and party safety, reported the posts to Instagram but received more advertisements, including on Facebook. The advertisements were for white substances in powder and rock form, labeled as "sponsored." Eisner found the timing of the advertisements highly suspicious, as they appeared after he had a difficult conversation with family about his past ketamine issues.
Meta has confirmed the removal of the pages flagged by Eisner and continues to work with non-profit organizations, law enforcement, and other social media companies to tackle illicit drug sales. The tech giant continually updates and refines its filters to block pages promoting illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.
However, the company has limited transparency on how ads reach recovering users, illustrating ongoing challenges in fully protecting vulnerable populations from exposure to illicit drug ads on their platforms. Meta denies actively "listening" to users for ad targeting but acknowledges challenges in completely preventing such ads from appearing.
There is legislative movement, such as the "End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act," that seeks to ban direct-to-consumer drug advertising, including on social media. If enacted, these measures could further reduce exposure to such ads. However, they mainly affect prescription drug advertising rather than illicit drugs.
The RCMP considers mail-order websites a growing part of the illicit drug trade and is using "advanced cybertools" to combat drug suppliers and their networks. Despite these efforts, the issue of illicit drug advertisements on social media platforms persists, highlighting the need for continued collaboration between tech companies, law enforcement, and non-profit organizations to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their users.
- Eisner, concerned about the re-emergence of illicit drug advertisements on Instagram and Facebook, reported the posts to Meta, but found more advertisements appearing in his feed.
- In addition to working with non-profit organizations and law enforcement, Meta continually updates and refines its filters to block pages promoting illicit drugs and precursor chemicals.
- The "End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act" seeks to ban direct-to-consumer drug advertising, including on social media, which could further reduce exposure to such ads if enacted.
- Despite efforts by the RCMP to combat drug suppliers and their networks, mail-order websites remain a growing part of the illicit drug trade, with ads persisting on social media platforms.
- The ongoing presence of illicit drug advertisements on social media platforms underscores the need for increased collaboration between tech companies, law enforcement, and non-profit organizations to ensure mental health, health-and-wellness, and a safe environment for all users.
