Section I

The J-50 Treasure Hunt

Section I: Introduction to Anti-Drug Commercials

I know near to nothing about my topic, anti-drug commercials. The only actually knowledge that I have about these commercials is my experiences viewing them. I primarily gained an interest in the anti-drug commercials because I do not like them. I tend to find them misleading, over-exaggerated, and stereotypical. I do not want to promote the usage of drugs, but currently, I am not of fun of these commercials.
On the other hand, I am familiar with the criminology of drug usage. I know that marijuana is not a gateway drug and it is not addictive. I know that using, possessing, manufacturing, or distributing drugs can send you to prison. Once you go to prison, you begin to label yourself as a criminal and therefore, continue to perform criminal acts. I know how many drugs affect the body, and how different combinations of drugs affect the body very differently. Many times it is this combination of substances that cause severe complications. I know that even if the drug itself does not cause harm to individuals, the events linking drug users and usage may. I know a teenager who felt desperate to get crystal meth. He proceeded to shoot and kill both of his grandparents in order to steal their money to purchase more crystal meth. I know that there are also “innocent” drug users, or first-timers. The anti-drug commercials depict these individuals to show the worst that could happen while under the influence.

There is also a lot that I do not know about the commercials. I do not know who creates them or funds them. I do not know how the research is conducted in obtaining background information for such storylines. I do not know how effective such commercials are in preventing usage. I believe the advertisements are targeted towards teenagers, but I would like to know the goals for sure.

I would mostly like to target teenagers and young adults with my research. I feel that they would find it most interesting. Parents might also find it interesting, but then again they are more willing to except what is already aired in the anti-drug commercials. I want to be able to provide another viewpoint that deals with drug usage among teenagers and young adults. I know that many people in this age category laugh about or brush off these commercials. I would like to provide information and resources that might be approached more willingly by teenagers, or maybe even drug users. The problem is that these commercials are too busy criticizing drug users; this route may only cause users to ignore their problem even further.