Here is an ad for Metadate CD. From what I gather, it’s the same active chemical (methylphenidate) as Ritalin and has similar effects to those of Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) and “street-grade” speed (methamphetamine). Aside from the substance the ad is pushing, the ad isn’t overtly offensive. As far as ads go, it seems pretty tame, even. What caught my eye was the part about this ad violating international law.
Here’s a copy of the cease-and-desist letter sent by the DEA to the manufacturer of Metadate. It's not particularly threatening, despite the fact that the manufacturer is in clear violation of international law. As indicated on the Bonkers Institute website, the Bush II administration didn’t seek prosecution.
Here’s a PSA by Partnership for a Drug-Free America, from the Bonkers Institute site. Some of you may be too young to remember, but Partnership for a Drug-Free America are the same folks who brought you gems such as this and this.
I realize that anti-drug PSAs don’t necessarily come directly from the federal government, but the hypocrisy here is readily apparent. The inaction by the Bush II administration seems to say that there are good drug dealers and there are bad drug dealers, and the government gets to decide who’s who. The good ones have way more money and interest and lawyers on retainer than the bad ones, even though the products both of them are selling are remarkably similar. In other words, big pharmaceutical companies have permission to advertise and sell almost exactly the same thing that a Mexican drug cartel or a Nazi biker gang might be pushing. Not only that, but the product the big companies are producing is widely prescribed to school-age children.
It also appears that we have yet another item with which to indict G.W. Bush and/or his cronies.
No comments:
Post a Comment