Public Service Advertisements

Is Truth a Casualty of the Drug War?

The Public Service Advertisements below ran from 1999 to 2007, focusing on misinformation in the drug war.

The Common Sense public information campaign carefully quoted credible research and leading authorities so as to provide the public with reliable information and to better inform the debate on drug policy. CSDP's PSAs ran in Reason, The American Prospect, The National Review, The Nation, The New Republic, and The Progressive.

Please note: These PSAs may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission and with or without attribution provided the meaning is faithfully maintained.

012	Arizona Stops Jailing Drug Users	"Arizona Stops Jailing Drug Users" appeared in the June 28, 1999 edition of The New Republic and the July 26, 1999 edition of National Review. The ad focuses on an Arizona Supreme Court study of the Arizona Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act of 1996. This act mandated treatment instead of jail time for non-violent drug use offenses. Available in printer-ready Portable Document Format (PDF).
011	We are deeply troubled	"We are deeply troubled" first appeared in the New Republic in March of 1999. The ad reproduces an open letter that criticizes ONDCP Director Barry McCaffrey for for his continued mischaracterization of information relating to needle exchange programs, medical marijuana, and Dutch drug policy. The letter attracted media and public attention for its high-profile signatories, which included public officials, minority rights activists, professors and public health experts. Available in printer-ready Portable Document Format (PDF).
010	A Police View on the War on Drugs	"A Police View on the War on Drugs" appeared in the New Republic, the National Review, the Weekly Standard and The Nation in 1999. Statement of Chief Hubert Williams, President, Police Foundation, March 25, 1999
009	Dutch drug policy even more effective than previously thought!	"Dutch drug policy even more effective than previously thought!" appeared in the New Republic in 1999. The ad is a follow-up to a previous ad on the successful Dutch drug control model and reflects more recent research.
008	Treatment is more effective than law enforcement	"Treatment is more effective than law enforcement" appeared in The New Republic in 1999. The ad summarizes research conducted by the respected RAND Drug Policy Research Center.
007	It's as simple as 1, 2, 3	"It's as simple as 1, 2, 3" appeared in The New Republic and the National Review in 1999. The ad points out three important facts on marijuana and succinctly raises the question, "How can we justify the war on marijuana?"
006	Has the Drug Czar Bought the Media for a Billion Dollars?	"Has the Drug Czar Bought the Media for a Billion Dollars?" In the Fall of 1998, McCaffrey challenged Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) to use their editorial boards to write articles supportive of the ONDCP's "War on Drugs." Perhaps motivated by a fear of losing a slice of a recently enacted $1 billion advertising pie, the MPA accepted McCaffrey's challenge. McCaffrey's actions represent an unprecedented attempt by a government agency to use tax dollars in order to sway journalists and editorial boards. This advertisement appeared in the January 25, 1999 issue of The New Republic.
005	Compromising Integrity and Prestige?	"Compromising Integrity and Prestige?" The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse is one of the leading drug war think tanks in the United States. Its' director, Joeseph Califano is often quoted without any critical comment. Columbia University provides CASA with a university affiliation which adds to CASA's credibility. The purpose of this ad is to highlight that academics question the accuracy of CASA data, the reports of CASA are not based on scientific analysis and their reports are not peer-reviewed.
004	A Victim of the Drug War?	"A Victim of the Drug War?" appeared in The New Republic in 1998 and again in Reason Magazine in 1999. This ad illustrates how our Constitutional rights and freedoms are being gradually eroded by the war on drugs.
003	Marijuana Myths/Marijuana Facts	"Marijuana Myths/Marijuana Facts" appeared in The New Republic in 1998 and in the National Review in 1999. The ad repeats five common marijuana myths and rebuts them with the facts.