Pubdate: Tue, 05 Sep 2006
Source: Star-News (NC)
Copyright: 2006 Wilmington Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.wilmingtonstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/500
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

HALLUCINATING ABOUT DRUG ADS

The clear-headed Government Accountability Office has confirmed what 
most of us could have guessed: Advertising doesn't deter kids from 
taking illegal drugs.

In fact, according to an independent study, in some cases the ads 
increase drug use.

Similar findings have debunked the popular DARE program, in which 
law-enforcement officers visit schools.

Given the federal government's incredible debts, you might assume 
that the Bush administration and Congress would be delighted to stop 
spending money - on top of the $1.2 billion they've squandered on 
such feel-good ads since 1998.

But you probably would be wrong. Politicians want voters to believe 
that they know what to do about problems, and are doing it.

Anti-drug ads might do no good. They might, in fact, do harm.

But if politicians have no real answer to deterring drug use, they'll 
give us a phony answer.

Or as the ads might put it: This is your congressman. This is your 
congressman on the campaign trail.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman