Anti-drug ads just don't work

There's a new study out once again proving that John Walters is wasting that $145 million he plans to spend this year on the ONDCP's anti-marijuana ads. The study proves the ads play favorably to parents but do not work on their target audience. Echoing the results of a previous study done in 2002, this study also found that in fact, these ads make drugs more enticing to teenagers.

A national survey conducted in 2002 by Westat Inc. and the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania for the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that most parents and youth surveyed recalled seeing the anti-drug ads, and that the ads had a favorable effect on parents.

But, the government-funded survey concluded, "There is little evidence of direct favorable campaign effects on youth." It went on to note, "For some ... analysis raises the possibility that those with more exposure to the (ads) ... had less favorable outcomes over the following 18 months."

Unsurprising, the ONDCP, (in an effort to protect their funding) as in 2002, claims the study is flawed and cites statistics they paid for suggesting teenage use is down. If that was true one wonders why law enforcement is so keen on also spending our tax dollars locking down schools and terrorizing our children with drug dogs.

[Link via Talk Left]