Bush administration to run anti-drug ads during Super Bowl

CNSNews.com ^ | 2/1/02

[Ol' Sparky]

Government's Anti-Drug Ads Labeled 'Super Bust'

By Susan Jones

CNSNews.com Morning Editor

February 01, 2002

(CNSNews.com) - A group that favors the legalization of marijuana is blasting the Bush administration for running anti-drug ads during Sunday's Super Bowl.

In the two 30-second ads, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will spread the message that the illegal drug trade fuels terrorism.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws calls the $3.4 million federally-funded advertising buy a "colossal waste of taxpayers' money" - a Super Bowl "Super Bust."

Keith Stroup, executive director of NORML, insists that most of America's illicit drug users are solely marijuana smokers who do not use other illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Said Stroup, "It is patently absurd to suggest that marijuana smokers are in any way supporting terrorism."

The money used to pay for the ads was appropriated by Congress in 1997 to fund a White House youth anti-drug program.

NORML insists that the two anti-drug ads -- the largest single government ad purchase in history -- will not have any affect on Americans' illegal drug habits.

Undeterred by naysayers, however, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign insists that its anti-drug ads are registering with both kids and parents, many of whom admit to remembering (if not abiding by) the messages they hear.

The government's anti-drug media effort has three goals: (1)to educate and enable kids to reject drugs; (2) to prevent kids from ever taking drugs, especially marijuana and inhalants, in the first place; and (3) convincing occasional users to stop.

The government has tried other methods of getting its anti-drug message out, and those efforts have run into flak as well.

[Ol' Sparky]

This is one area where the Bush administration deserves a A.

[steve50]

http://www.norml.org/facts/political_pot.shtml

Interesting info here.

[francisandbeans]

You can agree or disagree with the WOD, however to say that spending 3.4 million on two ads deserves an A is crazy. It is a waste of taxpayer money. Especially considering that there is already talk of deficit spending.

[Ol' Sparky]

Tough drug laws = Less Crime, Fewer Drug Addicts and Fewer Victims = Justice = Conservativism

[Ol' Sparky]

No, it's one of the best uses of money imaginable. If this stops a hundred thousand people from using drugs, lives will not only be spared addiction and our criminal justice system will be spared the expensive of more criminal cases.

[Ol' Sparky]

Here's a fact for you...Drug use, according to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, has declined from 26 million monthly users to 14 million in the past 20 years.

[muggs]

If this stops a hundred thousand people from using drugs, lives will not only be spared addiction and our criminal justice system will be spared the expensive of more criminal cases.

What makes you think it will stop 100,000 people or even one from using drugs?

[Demidog]

So the government is authorized by the consitution to advertise where exaactly?

[riley1992]

No, it's one of the best uses of money imaginable. If this stops a hundred thousand people from using drugs

LOL. You cannot be serious.

[Libloather]

"It is patently absurd to suggest that marijuana smokers are in any way supporting terrorism."

But they DO support smuggling - no?

[steve50]

And tobacco use is down by 50%,I guess the War on Tobacco had better results.

[Registered]

I'm sure the ads will prompt all the kiddies to put down the bongs and toast each other with a beer ;-)

[Ol' Sparky]

Tobacco isn't comparable to drugs. Tobacco only harms the individual.

Having stated that, it has been well worth the money to discourage tobacco use via public advertising.

[Registered]

The War on Tobacco is being accomplished not by any advertising PR game, but by taxing the product out of existance.

[Ol' Sparky]

More so than the crap you produce, that's for sure. Only a moron doesn't understand that drug use has declined from 26 million monthly users to 14 million because of tough drug laws and stimatization. And only a fool would suggest that kids shouldn't be discouraged from using drugs.

[fod]

Perhaps a pretzel safety spot would be better...

if we just save one life...