The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) partners with Facebook, Google and Twitter to Launch the Tech Coalition to Increase Awareness and Support for Those Struggling with Addiction

November 13, 2018 – WASHINGTON: Today, we are proud to take another important step in addressing the opioid epidemic by launching the new coalition, Tech Together to Fight the Opioid Crisis. CSIP will bring together Facebook, Google, and Twitter to help those battling the epidemic. Tech Together’s inaugural meeting takes places today as CSIP hosts “Searching for Answers: Innovating for Families in the Opioid Age,” where tech and public health experts will share best practices and explore new opportunities to help. Tech Together welcomes other companies and organizations to join the coalition with the shared goal of making it easier for people to find help and support.

According to Marjorie Clifton, Executive Director of the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies, “CSIP has been focused on educating consumers about prescription drug safety for over 7 years, so it was only natural that our efforts include the opioid crisis plaguing our nation. We are excited that tech is leveraging their platforms in big ways to help families, and using a data, fact-driven approach to problem solving. Ending the opioid epidemic will require unusual partnerships and people from every industry and expertise, working together. There is no one expert who can solve this problem.”

Through Tech Together, partners will share best practices and explore new opportunities to contribute to the fight. Facebook, Google, and Twitter have each developed efforts to raise awareness and help people find resources and support for addiction. The companies have also participated in complementary efforts such as:

• Partnering with the Ad Council, Truth Campaign and the White House on a significant public education campaign focused on preventing and reducing opioid misuse;
• Enforcing community standards, codes of conduct, and terms of service that prohibit illegal drug use and sales on online platforms; and creating policies that aim to prevent predatory and fraudulent behavior by addiction treatment centers;
• Working with various federal agencies and departments including the FDA, SAMHSA, the Office of the Surgeon General, and the DEA to raise awareness for their Drug Takeback Day.

The coalition will enable companies to learn from each other’s initial progress and identify creative ways to complement each other’s efforts responding to the epidemic.

• Facebook and Instagram direct people who search for information about opioids to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) National Helpline Information Page and other resources that provide free and confidential treatment referrals.
• Google supports and promotes the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ Parent Helpline at the top of search when families look for help with substance abuse – connecting them with a support line staffed by experienced parent coaches.
• Twitter works with advocates and researches from several top universities and NGOs that specialize in recovery to support the #RecoveryMovement happening on Twitter and online.

We look forward to sharing more in the coming months about ways to increase our impact and make it easier to find help.

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About the Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP)

The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP), a non-profit organization founded in 2011 by the White House, represents the technology sector and commerce intermediaries including Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Oath, UPS, Paypal, MasterCard, Discover, Amex and .Health.  CSIP’s mission is to promote industry best practices as it relates to illegal online pharmacies, and educating consumers about safe purchasing of prescription drugs.

In early 2018, CSIP and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids launched MedicineSafe.org, a coalition of national and state, public and private partners which provides educational tools and free resources for families struggling with opioid addiction or navigating prescription drug challenges in their households.