Pubdate: Thu, 07 Mar 2002
Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)
Copyright: 2002 Las Vegas Sun, Inc
Contact:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/234
Author: John Powers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)

ANTI-DRUG ADS COSTLY, INEFFECTIVE

I have often found parallels between our society and George Orwell's 1984 
totalitarian nightmare. Now, I'm afraid, we have crossed over.

The Bush administration is running "anti-dope" ads, which say to teens (who 
admit to merely trying recreational drugs) that they have "supported 
terrorists," "helped bring down two skyscrapers in N.Y.", "killed a judge 
in Colombia," and more. In other words, because you smoked a joint, you are 
a traitor to America; a murderer, nay, a mass murderer. These kids are also 
accused of creating the ghettos which infect our cities.

Gee, I guess anarchists and communists can relax -- we have a new enemy. 
Our children!

This is "New-Speak" with a vengeance! These TV ads are horrible 
misstatements of reality, and will be no more effective than "Reefer 
Madness" was in the 1940s and '50s. Add the millions the ads cost to make 
and air to the drain down which America continues to pour its cash fighting 
a "war" it lost decades ago.

JOHN POWERS
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager