Legislation re-introduced by U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) would crack down on the illegal sale and distribution of drugs on social media channels.
The legislation, the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, would require social media companies and other communication service providers to be more active in combating the illegal sale and distribution of drugs, including working with federal agencies. Data generated by the platforms would empower state and local law enforcement to combat fake fentanyl-laced pills and to prosecute those who sell them.
“Cooper Davis was a bright young man from Johnson County who tragically died from a pill laced with fentanyl purchased on the social media platform: Snapchat,” Marshall said. “The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act requires social media platforms to report any drug activity on their platform to law enforcement. We will not rest in our fight until no Kansan loses their life to fentanyl poisoning.”
The law makers’ offices said organized drug cartels have used large, sophisticated distribution networks on social media – primarily TikTok and Snapchat -to sell fentanyl. However, law enforcement agencies have found they do not have the data to intervene or prevent the illegal sales and distribution of the drug.
Davis and Devin Norring both died from accidental fentanyl overdose after purchasing drugs on social media platforms.
“Our bipartisan bill would hold social media companies accountable in keeping our kids safe by requiring that they report certain illicit drug activity on their platforms and work with law enforcement to stop it,” Shaheen said. “Families and communities across this country have dealt with enough heartbreak – as the substance use epidemic evolves, so must our response.”
The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Todd Young (R-IN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The legislation is also supported by Snapchat, Partnership for Safe Medicine, the U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse and others.