Tariffs intending to limit drug trafficking spark conversation about fentanyl
Meanwhile, discussions criticized parents with substance use disorder and discussed barriers to pain management for women.
Meanwhile, discussions criticized parents with substance use disorder and discussed barriers to pain management for women.
This past week, tariffs intended to reduce the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. generated online discussion about the risk of overdose from the drug. In other conversations, posts disparaged parents with substance use disorder and highlighted difficulties women face when seeking pain management.
Given these conversations, communicators may recirculate information about fentanyl, reiterate that anyone can develop SUD, share resources for parents with SUD, and offer tips for women seeking treatment for pain.
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What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids
President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico in an effort to limit the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. This past week, social media posts across platforms circulated a video clip of a reporter questioning why the U.S. should impose tariffs on Canada, which contributed 0.2 percent of fentanyl seizures at the U.S. border in 2024. One X post sharing the video garnered approximately 6.1 million views, 165,000 likes, 36,000 reposts, and 5,900 comments as of March 12. The text of the post warned about the dangers of fentanyl. Commenters proposed a variety of alternative strategies to limit fentanyl trafficking and highlighted the risk of fentanyl overdose, with some sharing personal stories about losing loved ones to overdoses.
On March 3, a woman with a history of substance use disorder shared a Facebook post celebrating 1,000 days of sobriety. The post received approximately 3.4 million views, 116,600 likes, and 1,400 comments as of March 12. Commenters primarily expressed support and shared their own experiences with SUD. However, some expressed stigmatizing views toward the woman and criticized her for using drugs when she was a parent.
Popular Facebook posts shared an article published in National Geographic last month explaining that some over-the-counter and prescription pain medications do not work as well for women compared to men. Additionally, the article noted that women are more likely to experience chronic pain and are more likely to have their pain dismissed by doctors. One Facebook post sharing the article received approximately 7.8 million views, 83,000 likes, and 1,000 comments as of March 12. Commenters shared personal stories about struggling to manage pain and expressed frustration with health care providers who do not take women’s pain seriously. Some wondered if health care providers are less willing to prescribe opioids to women due to concerns about opioid use disorder.
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Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about opioids.
Concerns about fentanyl are persistent. Communicators may reiterate that fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid that has been linked to many overdose deaths in the U.S. Communicators may also want to outline the signs of an opioid overdose, explain where to access naloxone—which can reverse an opioid overdose—and provide instructions to use it.
In light of stigma toward parents with SUD, communicators may emphasize that anyone can develop SUD. Sharing resources for families dealing with SUD—as well as local harm reduction centers, recovery groups, drug treatment centers, and SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP)—is recommended.
Discussions about pain management for women provide an opportunity to share tips for talking to health care providers about pain. Explaining that anyone can develop opioid use disorder, even if they are prescribed opioids to manage pain, is recommended. Some people face higher risk of developing OUD and overdosing, such as people who have a history of SUD or health conditions like sleep apnea, people who use other substances in addition to opioids, and older adults. Additionally, some research shows that women who treat chronic pain with prescription opioids are more likely to self-treat anxiety and depression with opioids, which may lead to OUD. Women and other patients who need prescription pain management should talk to their health care provider about their medical history and other medications they take to determine the best options for them. Communicators may also want to outline the signs of OUD and the specific risks that women face.