NEW ANTI-DRUG ADS SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The Office of National Drug Control Policy, led by drug czar John Walters,
has issued a new set of anti-drug ads aimed at preventing drug use among
young people.

The ads attempt to explain how the drug-dealing chain works ("This is
Stacey. This is Stacey's dealer...") and links the death and injury of
innocents to the user ("This is Carla, who was hit by a stray bullet from
Stacey's supplier and paralyzed for life.") Walters, who was appointed
earlier this year, said this week on "Good Morning America" that his
predecessor's anti-drug ads featuring pop stars had failed and that there
has been no significant decline in marijuana use during their run.

But according to teens who appeared on the program, the new ads might not
make much of an impact, either.

In fact, many were annoyed by them.

Elisa Roupenian, a college sophomore, said her peers resented the fact that
the government was pointing fingers at teenagers and blaming them for the
violence. She pointed her finger back at the government for its war on
drugs, which she said fuels a black market for illegal substances and
allows cartels to pull in huge profits.

And Kadeem Coopers, a high school freshman, said the ads won't inspire
teens to think how their actions might affect others.

"When someone buys marijuana, they are not thinking of Colombian cartels or
little girls getting shot," Coopers said.

Maybe that's the point.

Where do they think drugs come from? Maybe they're not thinking about it.
Maybe they don't want to.

If the ads are annoying and offensive, that's good. Because the truth is if
there was no demand, there would be no reason to supply.

The cartels, suppliers and dealers would be out of business if people
stopped using drugs. Though the ads are directed at young people, they
apply to anyone and everyone using drugs, of any kind.

Everyone is responsible, and it's time to take responsibility.

Young people have a chance to make a major impact on the future by taking
the responsibility that older generations failed to.

What do you think? Do you think the new round of anti-drug ads are sending
an effective message? View them on the Internet at
http:mediacampaign.org/mg/television.html. Are there better ways to
discourage young people from using drugs? Tell us your ideas.

Send us a letter. Write to Editor, Marshfield News-Herald, 111 W. Third
St., P.O. Box 70, Marshfield, Wis., 54449. Or send them via e-mail to
tom.berger@cwnews.net. We'd especially like to hear from young people. If
you're under 18 or still in high school, be sure to include your age and
the school you attend.

We'd like to hear from you.