State Senators Pressure Craigslist to Ban Illegal Prescription Drug Ads

State senators from Nevada and California are calling on Craigslist to remove ads from its site that facilitate illegal distribution and diversion of narcotics, reports the  LA Times. In a letter (PDF) to Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster, California Senator Ted Lieu wrote, “In the interest of public safety, and to help stop needless deaths from overdoses, please consider this humane request on a life-or-death matter that needs immediate attention.” Craigslist’s terms-of-use page does not specifically address prescription drug ads, but it does prohibit “distribution, provision or receipt of illegal goods or services,” as noted by the LA Times. The article also indicates that the company has been “under fire” for years due to mixed results in response to previous criticism related to the advertising of other illegal goods and services. Senator Lieu told the LA Times that he expects the company to pull the ads, and says “he would ask law enforcement officials to intervene” if no action is taken.