The official collection of 26 anti-drug print ads from the Office of National Drug Control Policy is here.

Interesting reading. The arguments are of three sorts:

1. Marijuana interferes with what you want to achieve in real life

2. Marijuana is dangerous: you’ll get arrested, you’ll crash into a truck, etc.

3. Buying marijuana gives money to gangsters who kill people [which is actually an argument for legalization]

In addition, some tell parents that they can prevent their kids from smoking dope through (1) Love (spend time with your kids) or (2) Discipline (lay down the law). The photos of the Love ‘Em group show people of color, particularly Latino and Native American. The photos in the Discipline ‘Em group are of white kids. Does the research show that white parents are too soft and non-whites are too neglectful? Is this conscious or unconscious racism?

None of the photos in any of the 26 ads show an African American. Apparently the War on Drugs has been won in that particularly demographic. Congratulations, America!

Categories: Uncategorized dw