Two State Senators Call on Craigslist to Stop Listing Prescription Drug Ads

State senators from California and Nevada are calling on Craigslist to stop running ads for prescription drugs, the Los Angeles Times reports.

California Senator Ted Lieu and Nevada Senator Tick Segerblom have sent letters to Craigslist Chief Executive Jim Buckmaster, urging the website to “stop encouraging or participating in the illegal dealings of narcotics.” In a recent letter, Lieu wrote, “A quick search today in the Los Angeles area came up with multiple listings for ‘Oxy, Norco, Oxycotin, Oxycodone,’ and for ‘5 MG Oxycodone,’ all available without a prescription….Obviously, these advertisements make it alarmingly easy for people to acquire these drugs illegally.”

Segerblom noted in a letter to Buckmaster, “In Nevada and nearby areas, a simple search for such addictive drugs as OxyContin, Vicodin, Adderall and Xanax reveals numerous advertisements for their sale or trade without the need for a prescription. These listings are dangerous to consumers who do not have a prescription as well as to those who obtain quantities greater than what is prescribed by a physician.”

Lieu said he has not heard back from Buckmaster, who also did not respond to requests from the newspaper for comment. If the company does not pull the drug ads, Lieu said he will ask law enforcement officials to take action.

Craigslist founder Craig Newmark noted the company has a policy against ads for illegal activity. The policy does not specifically mention prescription drug ads.