US state’s anti-drug ad campaign leaves social media in splits

South Dakota’s costly anti-drug campaign with slogan “Meth, I’m on it” faced backlash as well as laughter from social media. The campaign, that cost nearly $1.4 million, is aimed at aggressively fighting the meth epidemic to create a better state for the next generation. But the slogan created by a Minneapolis-based ad agency that was reportedly paid $449,000 for the campaign has left the internet divided.

Read: Nusrat Jahan: Discharged From Hospital; Rumours Of Drug Overdose Dismissed

Governor defends campaign

South Dakota’s Governor Kristi Noem defended the campaign saying the whole point of this ad campaign is to raise awareness and stated that it was working. “Meth is IN SD. Twitter can make a joke of it, but when it comes down to it - Meth is a serious problem in SD. We are here to Get. It. OUT,” Noem tweeted.

Social media had a good laugh about the anti-drug campaign and said that it sounded more like a pro-drug campaign. “It seems that if I’m on meth, I can live to a ripe old age, eat in restaurants, play football with my pals, and have a family. That sounds much better than the life I’m having now. Somebody get me some meth,” tweeted a user.

Read: Danny Green Gets Drug Tested After Outrageous Dunk For Lakers Against Hawks

Letter to grant enough funding

On November 13, Noem held a meeting with United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and urged him to address the meth epidemic. 

“While the federal substance abuse block grant provides limited funds for treating substance use disorders, it is not adequate to cover the increasing numbers of people needing treatment for meth,” Noem wrote to Azar.

“We need funding to educate people about the dangers of the drug, strengthen rehabilitation programming, and crack down on drug dealers through added law enforcement,” the letter read.

Read: White House Urgently Ramps Up Push For Drug Cost Legislation

Read: Taco Chain Owner Turns Out To Be A Drug Dealer, Charged For Trafficking Meth

(With inputs from agencies)