AlphaBiolabs USA Blog
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield launches Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms in collaboration with United Nations and tech industry
The US has signed a memorandum in collaboration with the United Nations and Meta, the owner of Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter) and Snap Inc. (Snapchat), to combat the spread of synthetic drugs on social media platforms.
The signing of the memorandum marks the launch of The Alliance to Prevent Drug Harms (Prevent Alliance), a joint effort between the US Mission, the United Nations and Meta.
A public-private partnership, the Prevent Alliance is committed to ending the use of online platforms to aid the flow of illicit substances, with an emphasis on disrupting the availability of synthetic opioids.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Representative to the United Nations, told attendees of the signing ceremony: “Two out of every five Americans know someone who has died of an opioid overdose. In every corner of the world, we’re seeing a rapid rise in synthetic drug use, dependence, and overdose death.
“This alliance holds immense potential to make a meaningful difference.”
An ‘international crisis’
The World Drug Report 2024, released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, puts illicit drug use into perspective on a global scale.
According to the report, 292 million people used drugs in 2022 – a 20% increase on the previous decade – with an estimated 60 million of those people using synthetic opioids.
And nearly 82,000 people died from opioid use in the US in 2022 alone: a 24-fold increase since 2010.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield referred to the rising tide of opioid deaths as an ‘international crisis’.
Nell McCarthy, Vice President of Trust and Safety at Meta, said: “Families and communities around the world are struggling with the opioid crisis. From governments to the private sector, and health care systems to civil society organizations, we must all do our part to combat this crisis.”
What are synthetic opioids?
Synthetic opioids are man-made substances that are synthesized in a laboratory and are designed to mimic the effects of opiates; natural chemical compounds that are extracted from plant matter, such as poppy sap and fibers.
Examples of opiates include heroin, morphine, and codeine.
Synthetic opioids are highly addictive, and often far more potent than opiates, meaning there is a much higher risk of accidental overdose when using these substances.
Examples of synthetic opioids include fentanyl and nitazenes.
Learn more: Opiate & Opioid FactsWhat is the legal status of opiates/opioids in the US?
Different opiates and opioids are classified differently under federal law, depending on their potency, potential for abuse and dependency, and whether they are legal when prescribed by a physician.
Most opiates/opioids are classed as schedule II, III, IV or V narcotics under the Controlled Substances Act.
Some examples of opiate/opioid classification are below:
- Heroin is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, due to its high potential for abuse
- Fentanyl, opium, and methadone are Schedule II narcotics under the Controlled Substances Act. Methadone can be used under supervision by a physician, to aid recovery from heroin addiction
- Codeine is a Schedule III narcotic, as it is regarded as having low to moderate potential for causing harm and dependency
You can learn more about the legal status of different drugs by visiting www.dea.gov.
Where can I buy a drug test?
Whether you have concerns about a child or family member abusing drugs, or just want a test for other personal reasons, AlphaBiolabs can help.
We offer a range of peace of mind, at-home drug tests to suit your needs:
Please note: our at-home drug tests are for peace of mind only. The results can help put your mind at rest or enable you to seek support for a loved one who has been misusing drugs, but the results cannot be used for legal purposes.
It’s easy to order your home drug test online now.
Got questions about our drug testing? Call our friendly, discreet Customer Services team on 727-325-2902 or email info@alphabiolabsusa.com.
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