Gone in a Snap: Inside Snapchat’s Teen Opioid Crisis, with Paul Solotaroff

ABOUT THE EPISODE:Over 35 years of reporting on the terrible consequences of both drugs and the war on drugs, Pulitzer Prize finalist Paul Solotaroff developed deep contacts with DEA, Homeland Security, and other branches of law enforcement across the country.  Paul had already seen the deadly wave of fentanyl-spiked heroin in 2013-2014, so when a top official at the DOJ called him last year sounding more desperate than ever before, he knew there was a serious crisis.  Paul was informed that 5-10 children were dying every day from a new scourge: fake pharmaceuticals like Adderall and Oxycontin made from fentanyl.  Even more disturbing, he discovered that kids no longer even have to know a dealer to obtain the pills.  In his lengthy new article in Rolling Stone, Paul details how Snapchat - a platform designed for its content to disappear - has been helping dealers find kids who might otherwise have never bought illegal drugs.In this episode, he shares the terrifying truth about the latest fentanyl crisis, how social media companies have facilitated underage drug use, and the upcoming legal battles to hold them accountable.EPISODE RESOURCES:Rolling Stones articleSocial Media Victim’s Law CenterKids Online Safety ActThis podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream CommunityLearn about The Stream, our private online community for momsFind us on Instagram hereWatch the podcast on YouTube hereDownload a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and AlcoholHopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.