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'Meth. We're on it' – South Dakota's new public health ads raise eyebrows 'Meth. We're on it' – South Dakota's new public health ads raise eyebrows
(1 day later)
State launches series of ads to help tackle methamphetamine problem – but tagline causes amusement on social mediaState launches series of ads to help tackle methamphetamine problem – but tagline causes amusement on social media
South Dakota’s governor, Kristi Noem, was hoping a new ad campaign would draw attention to methamphetamine addiction in her state. It worked, but perhaps not in the way she intended.South Dakota’s governor, Kristi Noem, was hoping a new ad campaign would draw attention to methamphetamine addiction in her state. It worked, but perhaps not in the way she intended.
The campaign’s slogan, unveiled this week, bluntly, if not quite clearly, lays out the issue: “Meth. We’re on it.” The words are laid over the outline of the state in one poster, and appear on pictures of people from various walks of life in others.The campaign’s slogan, unveiled this week, bluntly, if not quite clearly, lays out the issue: “Meth. We’re on it.” The words are laid over the outline of the state in one poster, and appear on pictures of people from various walks of life in others.
“There’s a problem in South Dakota and we all need to get on it,” the posters explains. “Because together we can get meth out of here.”“There’s a problem in South Dakota and we all need to get on it,” the posters explains. “Because together we can get meth out of here.”
“South Dakota’s meth crisis is growing at an alarming rate,” Noem says in a video introducing the campaign, further details about which can be found at the aptly named website OnMeth.com. “It impacts every community in our state and it threatens the success of the next generation.”“South Dakota’s meth crisis is growing at an alarming rate,” Noem says in a video introducing the campaign, further details about which can be found at the aptly named website OnMeth.com. “It impacts every community in our state and it threatens the success of the next generation.”
Many social media users were quick to mock the slogan’s phrasing.Many social media users were quick to mock the slogan’s phrasing.
South Dakota’s department of social services paid the Minneapolis marketing agent Broadhead $449,000 for the campaign, according to the Argus Leader.South Dakota’s department of social services paid the Minneapolis marketing agent Broadhead $449,000 for the campaign, according to the Argus Leader.
“Eighty-three percent of South Dakota’s 2019 court admissions for controlled substances are related to meth,” the paper noted, citing the social services secretary, Laurie Gill.“Eighty-three percent of South Dakota’s 2019 court admissions for controlled substances are related to meth,” the paper noted, citing the social services secretary, Laurie Gill.
“It’s evident there’s a need for an aggressive approach to reduce use of the devastating drug,” Gill said in a statement. “This is a movement to educate South Dakotans on the signs of addiction, the treatment resources that are available and how to implement prevention techniques in their homes and among their communities.”“It’s evident there’s a need for an aggressive approach to reduce use of the devastating drug,” Gill said in a statement. “This is a movement to educate South Dakotans on the signs of addiction, the treatment resources that are available and how to implement prevention techniques in their homes and among their communities.”
In a statement provided to The Guardian, Beth Burgy, president of broadhead, said that the agency was proud of its work.
“As far as we’re concerned, the campaign is doing its job. It’s generating conversation, it’s soliciting all kinds of reactions and, yes, it’s making people uncomfortable. But discomfort causes change and demands action … We knew ‘Meth. We’re on it.’ was going to be provocative and would drive a lot of conversation. We think it took a lot of courage to get this message out there, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of this effort.”