Misinformation About Illicit Drugs on Social Media Poses Dangerous Public Health Risks

In an era where social media dominates information sharing, misinformation about illicit drugs has become increasingly prevalent and potentially lethal. False stories about substances spread rapidly across platforms, fueled by curiosity, fear, and social media algorithms that amplify sensational content.

Drug misinformation on social media is particularly concerning because it often gains legitimacy when mainstream media outlets republish these claims without proper verification. For many users, social media serves as their primary news source, making them vulnerable to false information that appears trustworthy when shared by friends or family members.

Synthetic drugs frequently become the subject of dangerous myths. Fentanyl, an opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, exemplifies how misinformation can spiral out of control. A widely circulated claim suggested that merely touching a small amount of fentanyl could cause an overdose—a myth initially propagated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, which warned that touching or inhaling airborne fentanyl could be deadly.

Despite the medical community conclusively debunking this claim as impossible, the misinformation continued to spread. Researchers who tracked fentanyl-related information between 2015 and 2019 discovered that erroneous claims had a reach 15 times greater than accurate information. Most of this misinformation originated from Facebook posts in Texas and Pennsylvania, potentially reaching an estimated 67 million people.

The real-world consequences of such myths can be severe. Someone might refuse to help an overdose victim out of fear that physical contact—even to perform life-saving chest compressions—could harm them as well.

Other synthetic substances have generated similar waves of misinformation. Krokodyl has been falsely portrayed on social media as a chemical that devours flesh after just one use. Meanwhile, “spice,” a synthetic cannabis variant, has been incorrectly described in media reports as causing users to tear off their clothes and exhibit “superhuman” strength.

While few would knowingly take a drug understood to cause severe damage, the suggestion of gaining extraordinary physical abilities might entice potential users. In both cases, the information was incorrect, yet went viral across social platforms.

Young and inexperienced individuals are particularly vulnerable to drug misinformation. A recent tragic case involved the over-the-counter antihistamine Benadryl. After social media posts claimed the drug could cause hallucinations, users began challenging each other to consume it, resulting in at least one death.

Beyond these extreme examples, routine misinformation about substances like cannabis has become commonplace. Claims about cannabis-based medicinal products curing everything from pain to terminal cancer circulate widely, despite insufficient scientific evidence. These false assertions offer dangerous false hope to vulnerable individuals, potentially leading them to abandon conventional medical treatments in favor of unproven alternatives.

For some individuals, misinformation about illicit drugs might actually make substances sound more appealing, particularly to those who are attracted to risk-taking behavior. Sensationalized fake news may even motivate initial drug experimentation among this population.

Addressing this problem requires a multi-faceted approach. Social media platforms must take responsibility for regulating information, though their willingness to do so may conflict with commercial interests. Educational initiatives teaching people to identify fake news, coupled with enhanced drug education programs in schools, could help prevent the spread of harmful misinformation.

Society must acknowledge the persistent curiosity about drugs and the misinformation that accompanies it. With social media companies potentially unwilling to comprehensively address the issue, young people and their families face the ongoing challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction while navigating the potential dangers certain substances pose.