ANTI-DRUG ADS DEPICT HARSH REALITY

A BOY in a body bag and a teenage purse-snatcher are the latest graphic
images in the Federal Government's war against drugs.

Domestic violence and family breakdown are also featured in the series
of confronting television advertisements, airing for the first time on
prime-time television tonight.

Prime Minister John Howard will launch the first series of commercials
in Sydney this morning, as part of his Government's $20 million campaign
against drugs. According to a spokesman for Mr Howard, the real-life
consequences of drug-taking including crime, family breakdown, violence
and death were the focus of the first advertisements.

Depicting the harsh reality was not "shock tactics" but would provoke
thought among the commercial's target teenage audience, the spokesman
said.

Young actors narrating their hopes for the future would contrast with
the on-screen action, as teenagers stole handbags, struck out at their
parents, and were zipped up in body bags.

"The overall aim is to prevent children and teenagers from experimenting
with drugs in the first place," the spokesman said. The commercials were
"not unlike" previous anti-drinking campaigns that asked teenagers how
they would feel after a night of binge drinking, violence and unsafe
sex.

Tonight's "saturation" advertising to be seen on all commercial channels
during their Sunday night movies would begin a six-week campaign.

Print and billboard advertising and radio messages would complement the
television images and a mail-out to parents, the spokesman said.

The media campaign also included a booklet sent to households which
encouraged family discussion about the issue and included a personal
message from Mr Howard, advice on the warning signs of drug use, and how
to broach the subject with children.