[Cyberdog]

> There's a problem, though: we're restricted by regulations from letting people know that this treatment is available. Both Facebook and Google require a third-party certification before allowing us to use their platforms, and many sites like Reddit don't allow any advertising for addiction treatment at all.

When you say "regulations" here, do you mean government law, or just the rules of online services as in your examples?

To advertise to addicts, go where the addicts are; bulletin boards in halfway houses, homeless shelters, probation/parole offices, and clinics that offer court-mandated treatment programs. Granted, these are the places where the most down-on-their-luck addicts will be, but perhaps they will be more open to change than the "successful" ones. That said, you might have some luck targeting those types on web forums for drug addicts and experimenters - some of these use their own in-house ad systems rather than something like AdSense for obvious reasons.

(If it sounds like I might know some things about where you can find drug addicts… well…)

I wish you nothing but the best of luck with your project.

[mattangriffel]

While there are some regulations (both state and federal) around what we can and can't say publicly, most of our obstacles so far have been the policies of sites like Facebook, Google, Reddit and the like. Many of them have gotten into trouble before with scammy rehab programs preying on vulnerable populations, so they've made it incredibly difficult for startups like us who have something new to offer to even get the word out. We're working on it, but it's still hard.

I agree with you about getting the word out in a grassroots way, and we've definitely been to some of the hardest-hit areas out there. The problem is that 80% of opioid users aren't currently seeking treatment and are just like you and me, but living with a secret problem. Those are the people we want to reach and let them know there are options for them.

[projektfu]

Maybe see if you can partner with a national pharmacy to put flyers in opioid prescription bags. Not sure of the pros and cons but it would really get the message out.

[Cyberdog]

If you can get a pharmacy on board with the idea of encouraging their customers to stop buying their products, sure, but most of the worst ope addicts aren't getting their pills from pharmacies…

[projektfu]

Don’t be so cynical. I sell drugs in my practice. I don’t want any addicts buying them.

I think the current opioid problem in the US is a prescription opioid problem.