Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2003
Source: Good 5 Cent Cigar (RI Edu)
Copyright: 2003 Good 5 Cent Cigar
Contact:  http://www.ramcigar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2599
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN MISLEADS YOUTH CULTURE

While it is beneficial for society to become aware of the dangers of 
certain drugs, the public should never receive false information concerning 
those substances. Advertisements should be truthful and never mislead their 
audience.

The recent anti-drug campaign depicting parents who learn their young 
daughter has become pregnant, citing them as "the youngest grandparents in 
town," lends itself to scrutiny. The commercial implies the young girl's 
pregnancy resulted from marijuana use and her life therefore, has been ruined.

By attempting to convince young people that using marijuana can lead to 
pregnancy, the commercial is misleading its viewers. There is no 
correlation between marijuana use and unwanted pregnancy, and the 
implication that a connection exists is nothing more than a cheap scare tactic.

It is time the government and anti-drug organizations cease attempts in 
scaring children away from drugs with exaggerations and false associations. 
The youth of America, now more than ever, must be exposed to the truth 
regarding drugs and alcohol so they are capable of making an educated 
decision. American children will inevitably be confronted with the 
possibility of drug use, regardless of where they live or who they hang out 
with. They must have the information necessary to consider the possible 
effects. Presenting young people with an overdramatic scene that is clearly 
ridiculous will do nothing to prevent drug use.

Instead, anti-drug campaigns should show the real nature of drug use and 
addiction, rather than sensationalized stories. Movies and other forms of 
media showing the users' withdrawals along with addicts in and out of 
clinics and rehabilitation centers are more efficient in spreading the true 
dangers of drugs. Anti-drug campaigns should do the same by documenting 
real life addicts. After seeing a drug user's lifestyle and how affected 
they are by drug use, young children can judge for themselves whether or 
not they want to dabble in drug experimentation.

By adding a line at the end of a commercial, saying the pregnancy was 
caused by marijuana does not get the message the campaign intended across. 
If the creators of the campaign want to prevent children from smoking 
marijuana, they need to present fact, not fiction. The only sensible way to 
possibly prevent drug use is to show the real risks and horror stories.

It is difficult to believe every young girl who tries marijuana would end 
up ruining her life by becoming pregnant as the campaign suggests. There is 
definitely a drug problem in the United States, but scaring children with 
false consequences and ideas is not a practical method in solving the crisis.
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MAP posted-by: Tom