Drug Enforcement Administration is celebrating “World Emoji Day”. They are promoting their guide on how to “decode symbols” that they claim have a connection with drug sales and use.
The DEA published a warning on Thursday that said, “While emojis may be entertaining and able to convey a range of emotions to the user, they are also used by drug dealers to trick youth into buying fake drugs and prescription pills.”
“For instance, did you know that a banana (🍌) can symbolize fake prescription oxycodone? Or that the 8-ball emoji — 🎱 — can indicate cocaine?” “The agency reported.
The DEA’s emoji-decoding guide is around and has been updated since 2021. However, consumers have criticized the interpretations of the agency about how drug users communicate in social media, texts, and other forms of communication.
The version DEA released in an announcement on Thursday had been rolled out as part of the #OnePillCanKill initiative last year.
Other examples include: a drug emoji, which the DEA states indicates sales from Xanax up to MDMA. A snowflake emoji is for cocaine.
Other products may also cause some consumers to hesitate.
In this case, DEA has claimed that a dragon or brown heart emoji is heroin. It also claims a cookie emoji to be a “large quantity” of illicit drug.
Also, the fire, wind, clovers and pine tree emojis are marijuana. As does the shocked face (😮).
DEA has said that a red leaf can be used to represent any type of drug.
The agency stated that the reference guide was intended to help parents, teachers, caregivers and others who have influence understand how emojis can be used with illicit drugs. “Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms—making them available to anyone with a smartphone.”
DEA, which is currently involved in a stalled-out process to reschedule marijuana—has long been considered out of touch with youth culture as it concerns drug use and sales. It has partnered with anti-drug organizations in recent years, but that didn’t do much to change the perception of youth.
For instance, to mark “National Prevention Week,” DEA promoted a campaign in May that encourages people to share memes with dubious claims about the effects of cannabis—including the theory that it is a “gateway drug” to using other substances.
Johnny’s Ambassadors was the group that coordinated “Just Say Know”. It was started by parents whose children died from suicide because they consumed high-potency concentrates. The federal agency, however, hosted these memes on its two taxpayer-funded sites and used email blasts in order to promote them.
In 2023, DEA advised that young people should instead focus on being Instagram influencers, and not do drugs. It shared tips for getting a “natural” high as an alternative drug. These included becoming popular on Instagram, watching video games, and visiting pet stores to see animals.
DEA, in addition to its outreach to youths on prevention efforts, is also actively evaluating a proposal that would move cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to Schedule III.
The DEA has recently informed an agency judge of the rescheduling status of marijuana under Trump’s administration.
John Mulrooney (DEA ALJ) temporarily paused the hearings six months ago on a proposal for cannabis to be moved to Schedule III. In a report submitted to the judge earlier this month by DEA lawyers and rescheduling advocates, they said that there is still no agreement.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay/terimakasih0.