Campaign Anti Drug Illegal Drug Teens Government People Ads

Government agencies and "nonprofit organizations" (groups that provide a public service without trying to make money) have "engaged in" (participated in) many anti-drug campaigns to discourage the use of illegal drugs, especially among kids and "teens" (teenagers; people 13-19 years old).

Probably the most famous anti-drug campaign was "Just Say No" in the 1980s and early 1990s. The "First Lady" (the wife of the President of the United States) at that time, Nancy Reagan, "championed" (was a leading advocate and supporter of) the "slogan" (a phrase repeated many times), which was supposed to encourage children to "just" (simply) "say no to drugs" (decide not to use drugs). The campaign increased "public awareness" (how much people think about something) of drug use, but they have not been able to "demonstrate" (prove; show) a "link with" (clear connection to) reduced drug use.

Now the Office of National Drug Control Policy has a campaign called "Above the Influence." The ads try to help teens learn how to deal with the "negative pressures" (things that add stress to teenagers' life) without "turning to" (seeking comfort or help from) drugs and alcohol. The campaign wants teens to decide that they are "above" (better than; superior to) the "influence" (how something affects one's decisions or behavior) of illegal drugs. Many of the ads show teens talking about their experiences in choosing not to use drugs.

One of the best-known "ads" (advertisements) for an anti-drug campaign was produced by the Partnership for a Drug-Free American in 1987. In the ad, a man holds up an egg and says, "This is your brain." Then he picks up a frying pan and says "This is drugs." Then the egg is cracked open and "fried" (cooked over high heat in a little bit of oil) and he says, "This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?"