The Partnership for a Drug Free America's latest campaign is a war
being waged with images rather than research and style instead of
substance. Senior editor David Kiley of Brandweek, a trade advertising
industry newspaper, stated that this particular campaign by the
Partnership invested virtually no money researching the issue. Mr.
Kiley also pointed out that campaigns of such high importance ought to
have more, not less scientific data on drug use and its consequences.
Mr. Kiley received a barrage of criticism for his comments on this
sacred cash cow.

The U.S. Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that while drug use in
general was declining, it was increasing among teens. These are the
same kids raised on those images of fried eggs in the pan. Now the
PDFA is serving America with a new menu with the same message. The
same Madison Avenue message that failed in the '80s has a new face in
the '90s. The only difference is, this menu is costing the taxpayer $2
billion dollars. Also the most widely illegal drug abused by
teenagers, alcohol, is absent from this PDFA campaign.

Why couldn't our federal tax dollars be spent on educational programs
with a proven track record? If this expenditure falls under the guise
of drug education, then our elected officials are the ones who have
some learning to do. The public ought to hold them accountable for
applying the same tired, failed policy and expecting a different result.

WILLIAM AIKEN, JR.

Reconsider: Forum On Drug Policy, Albany Chapter