VIDEO: Harder Warns Parents About Deadly Pills Being Pushed to Kids Over Social Media
Yesterday, Rep. Harder demanded action from the DEA on the rise of deadly fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills being sold to kids on social media
WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9) released a PSA video statement to raise the alarm and educate parents about drug dealers targeting kids on social media with fake pills that are laced with deadly doses of fentanyl. Yesterday, Rep. Harder wrote to the Director of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) demanding action to keep kids safe from criminals selling illegal drugs and counterfeit pills on platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. He is warning parents to stay alert and keep a watchful eye over their kids’ social media activity.
Watch the PSA video HERE or read Rep. Harder's statement below:
Hi, Congressman Josh Harder here with an important message for parents about our kids’ safety.
You may have heard the stories about kids buying drugs on social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram. Unfortunately, it's worse than we thought. Recently, multiple kids have died because the counterfeit drugs they purchased over social media were laced with fentanyl.
Drug dealers are intentionally targeting kids on these platforms, promising them prescriptions like Adderall or Percocet. Kids are falling for the trap, unknowingly taking a counterfeit pill and then overdosing from a deadly concentration of fentanyl.
I'm pushing the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration to hold not only the drug dealers accountable, but also the social media companies who are allowing these transactions to happen.
On top of that, I wanted to share a few simple steps parents can take to keep their kids safe from this growing threat: First, talk to your kids about not accepting messages on social media from people they don't know. Second, make sure your kids know about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl. And third, encourage your kids to talk to their friends and warn them that taking even one counterfeit pill could be deadly.
As parents, it's heartbreaking to hear about threats to our kids, especially online. I'm begging you, please take this seriously. I'll keep you updated as more news comes out and I share any helpful advice I hear along the way.
Thank you and stay safe.
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