'Govt defends graphic new ice TV ads'

[Conan Troutman]

Govt defends graphic new 'ice' TV ads

Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:00pm AEST

The Federal Government's advisory group on drugs has defended a graphic new television campaign about crystal methamphetamine or "ice".

The advertisement shows a young woman picking at her skin and a man flying into a rage in a hospital.

The Government says the advertisement is targeting young people in their 20s and it has been given an "M" classification.

Australian National Council on Drugs chairman John Herron says it shows the reality of the drug.

"It's aimed at people who are not users in particular - people who are addicted [and] have a real problem," he said.

"You've got to do something for them and they've got to be treated.

"But the graphic nature is showing the dangers of continued use, but also to scare people off trying it in the first place."

Video

Audio interview w/ PM

SOURCE

[Ace]

Fear can be good, as in this case (IMO), but it is often abused by higher authorities and perticuarly in the drugs debate. This reminds me a lot of the 'information' being fed to the folks of the last 50 years (mainly), perticularly with cannabis and its so-called 'effects' and how it will make you crazy, kill you, etc, etc. It just makes it frustrating to see so much propeganda and mis-information amongst the factual information that advertisements like this will get laughed away by a lot of people who have tried 'harder' drugs. It is fantastic that people already paranoid of drugs will be even less tempted to go near crystal meth, but it also creates a gap in society between the normal folk and such addicts.

Tis a complicated issue, but I feel that anti-ice advertising is a good thing (after all, it is supposedly one of the most violent and socially complicated drugs of the last couple decades). Then again, if it was based on mis-information or blatant lies (though it seems that the Gov. is finally relying on somewhat factual info in the ice debate), then I'd be once again disappointed with the propaganda that is being spoon fed to the masses who deserve the facts, be it what the higher authorities want or not.

Reminds me of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', eh?

As to the 'M' rating on the ad, who cares? It should be played later at night, when younger kiddies dont have to be exposed to it, but if it enlightens a kiddie with ice-junkie parents as to what they are doing, then is that such a bad thing? It might even save a family or two (provided the folks are put into rehab, not behind bars... *whole different debate right there*).

"You've got to do something for them and they've got to be treated."

Well, lets just hope that the higher authorities have a way with dealing with the so called 'ice epidemic' or 'ice age'. Simply putting people behind bars for years on end where they are being tortured by guards and other inmates is overkill and it tears families apart even more than the substance that put them there. These people (along with many people chronically addicted to alcohol, tobacco, prescription meds, cannabis, and other illegal substances) need the best help available which is professionally taught councellors to get them clean. That is what will get the people out of such situations, with better family lives, better working lives and being a positive part of our community and society in general. Personally, I think this issue needs to be addressed just as urgently as the Ice epidemic, but it seems that this isnt that high on the Gov's agenda...

[simon_marklar]

hey heres an idea - make a legal stimulant thats not coffee, something that has a painful comedown if you overdo it (hence people will limit their own intake), and which doesnt have the ability to help people stay awake for a week... like... oh, um......BZP!

oh hang on the TGA just banned it based on bogus research that was later corrected (yet the ban still remained)! well done TGA! good to see your head is still firmly shoved up your ass.

[MrBumpy]

In 50 years will these adds be looked on in the same like as "Reefer Madness" and the like?

-bumpy

[apothecary]

In 50 years will these adds be looked on in the same like as "Reefer Madness" and the like?

-bumpy

To quote the DEA dude in that recent meth doco "You can't make meth from a plant!!" Heh!