SHOULD DRUG ADVERTISING BE BANNED?

'Drug advertising through the media is responsible for shaping public attitudes toward acceptance of chemical ingestion as a means of resolving problems of everyday living.'

While specific legislation has not yet been introduced to ban all drug advertising from _!!le media'lil.the state of Utah, the State Board on Alcohol and Drugs has launched a campaign to fight abuse_o.LiegaJ·drugs. Until recently, the primary enforcement effort was against the use and abuse of illi_citcnarcottcs-and polydrug abuse. The new campaign includes a ....,...... resolution calling on all media to discont,i.nue~ advertising which 'reinforces an i"esponsible usage of drugs and alcohol.' The c~mpaign was undertak,._n ·foU6w~g a study of the general population's drug-taking behaviour for the State Division 9,(AJc~holi~m· ana·vrugs, plus other recent investigations. Among other things, the investigations have found that the majority of users of amphetamines were middle class housewives. While the users were in no real danger, 'their danger as role models for their children was very real.' Also, 'Other studies have shown the positive relationship between mothers who use drugs as mood elevators and subsequent drug abuse by their offspring. Adolescents who abuse amphetamines usually initially took them from the family medicine chest.;

Jensen, G. F. and ChriStiansen, R.L.: Journal .ofDrug Issues 6: 65 (No 1, 1976)

INPHARMA 31st July, 1976 p2