Recent reports revealed that deadly drugs known as ‘Nitazenes’ are being smuggled into the UK inside dog food and catering supplies. Real Research, an online survey app, revealed that 64.84% of the respondents were aware of this situation.

Highlights:

  • 71.40% of the respondents agree that tech firms must promptly remove harmful content under the Online Safety Act
  • 70.58% support the removal of Nitazene-promoting social media posts, fearing they fuel the spread of this potent illegal drug.
  • 70.36% of respondents advocate for imposing the death penalty on online drug traffickers

Drug Dealers Advertising on Social Media

Nitazenes are synthetic drugs produced in laboratories, illegal in the UK. These drugs are sold on social media platforms and are similar to heroin and morphine, but can be several hundred times more potent and deadly. 60.38% of respondents confirmed that they had heard of these deadly drugs before.

Additionally, thousands of social media posts promoting Nitazenes have been removed amid fears they were fueling the spread of the powerful illegal drug. 70.58% of the respondents support this initiative against drug dealers advertising on social media platforms.

drug-dealers-advertising-on-social-media-platforms
Figure 1: Whether respondents are against drug dealers advertising on social media platforms

Read Also: 55% Say Decriminalizing Drugs Would Exacerbate the Problem of Drug Abuse

Survey on Social Media Platforms Publishing Posts Offering Drugs

According to the home office, “tech companies must do more to swiftly remove this type of content and prevent users from being exposed to it” to align with the Online Safety Act, which became law last year. 71.40% of respondents agreed with this.

swiftly-remove-this-type-of-content
Figure 2: Whether tech companies must do more to swiftly remove this type of content

Moreover, the BBC’s evidence suggests dozens of suppliers are advertising openly on the internet and sending Nitazines in the mail from China, where they are manufactured in laboratories. 54.66% of the respondents said they have come across drug dealers advertising on social media platforms.

Also Read: 41.46% Believe Drug Decriminalization Reduces Violence and Crime

Death Penalty

Nitazenes, which are more deadly than heroin, have recently been linked to nearly three deaths a week on average. 49.18% of the respondents are extremely concerned about this.

drug-dealers-advertising-on-social-media
Figure 3: Death penalty for drug dealers advertising on social media platforms?

Finally, 70.36% of the respondents think the death penalty should be imposed on drug traffickers advertising online.

Methodology

 
Survey TitleSurvey on Social Media Platforms Publishing Posts Offering Deadly Drugs
DurationMarch 24 – May 3, 2024
Number of Participants5,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia,… Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.