Understanding The Rising Use of Fentanyl and The Impact Social Media Plays

This study examines how social media platforms like Reddit can be utilized to compare the discourse around fentanyl and recreational drug use. A dataset of 2549 personal experience posts were collected on fentanyl and other recreational drug use. Where the methodology included targeted queries, text processing, and natural language process (NLP) techniques such as sentiment analysis and topic modeling. Results indicate that fentanyl related discourse on Reddit was more likely to carry a cautious or neutral sentient, emphasizing its health risks or addiction. Contrasting the more positive sentiment recreational drugs carry, especially marijuana. Finding that Reddit plays a vital role as a platform, a place for positive drug related discussions. By analyzing user posts, this study provides a strong foundation for future studies aiming to understand the comparative ability social media plays. This framework can also aid policymakers and public health professionals in understanding the current and evolving drug landscape.