Emoji Timeline

A timeline of cultural and technical events in the history of emoji

2021

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DEA’s Emoji Drug Code

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the US publishes multiple versions of an Emoji Drug Code fact sheet.

"Emojis were originally designed to represent an emotion, event, or activity, but have recently taken on a language of their own. Criminal organizations, including drug traffickers, have noticed and are using emojis to buy and sell counterfeit pills and other illicit drugs on social media and through e-commerce. This reference guide is intended to give parents, caregivers, educators, and other influencers a better sense of how emojis are being used in conjunction with illegal drugs." / DEA

The reference guide is part of the DEA:s “One Pill Can Kill” Campaign.

Emoji Drug Code Decoded