Revealing the Truth: The Consequences of Failed Drug Campaigns and The Dehumanization of People Suffering from Addiction
Abstract
The war on drugs began on June 17, 1971. Many campaigns and projects were launched to help fight this war, including D.A.R.E. and "Just Say No," which were among the first and most popular initiatives. Sadly, these campaigns were unsuccessful in preventing many teens and adolescents from turning to drug abuse; in some cases, they even accidentally encouraged it. These projects, along with numerous drug campaigns, led to several issues that still need to be addressed, including the dehumanization of people struggling with addiction, widespread misinformation, and the amplification of abuse. These effects have shaped a bias in how our government deals with issues of drug abuse today, resulting in mass incarceration rates, increased violence, and systemic problems Yet, there is still hope; a new and better approach can be developed by encouraging changes in how these issues are handled and by reflecting on strategies that did not work in the past.
The media often use graphic distortions and large, attention-grabbing numbers to amplify the perceived severity of drug use. This approach misled the public and fueled policy responses based on heightened perceptions rather than accurate trends. James D. Orcutt and Blake Turner referred to this as a "media epidemic." The media's amplification of drug abuse goes hand in hand with widespread misinformation. Journalists sensationalize the actual statistics of drug abuse in the United States in their quest for more attention-grabbing stories than other news companies. Furthermore, many pharmaceutical industries employ aggressive advertising for financial gain, often leading to overprescribing.
Scare tactics are frequently utilized to deter people from using drugs altogether. However, several campaigns took this to the extreme by displaying mutilated bodies of individuals suffering from addiction and exaggerating the effects drugs have on people. These scare tactics have resulted in the dehumanization of individuals suffering from drug abuse, along with discrimination and fear among the general public. Dehumanization occurs when a person is perceived as less than human, stripped of their humanity, equating them to animals or objects. The lasting impacts of this not only enables violence but also erodes empathy, reinforcing prejudice and shaping a societal culture that perpetuates inequality. Consequently, this leads to individuals suffering from addiction not receiving help and further descending into abuse, increased violence, and higher incarceration rates.