Regarding content involving Etomidate, a medication use during emergency resuscitation, here is my reply from Hong Kong .

Meta Platforms, Inc.

Attn: Instagram Team

1 Hacker Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025
USA

Dear Instagram Team,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding recent actions taken by Instagram that have resulted in the false accusations against content related to the sale and promotion of illegal drugs. Specifically, I would like to address the following points:

1. False Accusations: Instagram has failed to distinguish between illegal drug promotion and health promotion concerning pharmaceutical medication. The platform has removed content that discusses the appropriate use and potential harmful effects of medications, which in this case, Etomidate, a medication regularly used for rapid sequence intubation during resuscitation.

2. Content Deletion: The blanket deletion of content involving all pharmaceutical drugs is alarming. Such actions prevent valuable health information from reaching the community, undermining efforts to promote awareness about correct medication use.

3. Screening Team Training: According to feedback from the content screening team, there appears to be a lack of adequate training. Despite completing 80 hours of training, the team struggles to connect with local culture and language, leading to misinterpretations of the content.

4. Impact on Community Awareness: Deleting content that promotes health education about pharmaceutical medications ultimately decreases community awareness regarding the correct use of these drugs. This counterproductive action shields vital information from the public, which is contrary to the objectives of effective health promotion.

5. Policy Violations: These actions contradict U.S. policy on drug prevention. The White House document, National Drug Control Strategy, under Principle 2 states, “In addition to promoting policies to discourage underage drinking and tobacco use, many colleges and universities incorporate information about the dangers of substance use into student orientation.” It further highlights the importance of raising awareness among young adults about the potential harms of drug misuse.

6. SAMHSA Resources: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) outlines that “This nationwide initiative provides community-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and statewide organizations resources and planning stipends to organize activities that raise awareness and educate youth, families, and communities about the potentially harmful consequences of alcohol and other drug misuse among youth and young adults 12 to 25 years old.”

If Instagram continues to shield the public from accurate information regarding medication use, it may be perceived as acting against the White House strategy on drug prevention.

I urge Instagram to reconsider its approach to content moderation regarding pharmaceutical discussions. Failure to do so may compel me to report these actions to federal agencies, as it is disappointing that Instagram, a platform with the potential to enhance community health, appears to be doing the opposite.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

Jason Wong
Nurse
Hong Kong