McGruff the Crime Dog® uncovers the truth of fake pills sold on social media in new Public Service Announcement
23 May 2024 - 3:14PM
In a new ad, McGruff the Crime Dog® sniffs out big crime
happening on social media and exposes the dangers of buying
medication online.
It is estimated that 90% of fake pills found on
social media contain fentanyl. Often hidden behind filters, ads,
and other smoke screens, these transactions may seem harmless, but
they’re often deadly.
“In just three years, fentanyl has become a
leading cause of death for young Americans,” said Paul DelPonte,
Executive Director at the National Crime Prevention Council.
“McGruff is talking directly to young people in this Ad, his trust
and this new campaign will save lives.”
The new public service
announcement highlights the unsafe conditions fake pills are
made in and how just one pill could include a deadly amount of
fentanyl that could instantly cost a young person their life. The
ad ends with McGruff encouraging viewers to Think Again.
“The existence and availability of counterfeit
goods not only threatens to erode consumer confidence in legitimate
brands, they put the health and safety of the American public in
jeopardy,” said Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for
Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and
Trademark Office.
The lives of young Americans are at the forefront
of this PSA, produced by NCPC and the USPTO as part of the Go For
Real™ campaign. The award-winning Go For Real campaign educates
teens and tweens on the dangers of fake products and its ads have
earned over 2 billion impressions. The new ads, featured in both
English and Spanish, will roll out in television markets across the
nation. The PSAs are also on YouTube and will be shown via social
media @McGruffatNCPC.
About the National Crime Prevention
CouncilThe nonprofit National Crime Prevention Council is home
to McGruff the Crime Dog® and has helped generations of Americans
Take A Bite Out Of Crime® through public education campaigns and
advocating for public policies to make the U.S. safer. Follow NCPC
on Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X
(@McGruffatNCPC).
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
Tatiana Peralta
National Crime Prevention Council
202-919-5544
tperalta@ncpc.org