Meet Pablo, the adorable and dead mascot of the new anti-cocaine advert (that's how they say it there) from the U.K. that uses wit in an attempt to promote the dangers of cocaine use. This advert fails, but at least it's a funny fail, unlike the war on drugs itself. Thanks to
Transform Drug Policy Foundation in the U.K. for the articulate analysis of the Pablo campaign. Here are the other
adverts in the series.
So, sleep tight my fellow Americans, apparently there is still a country that uses anti-drug advertising in an
comparably ineffective way. Only, at least the U.K.'s adverts are funny -- sort of.
I'm not sure, but are cocaine users supposed to feel guilty that Pablo was used as a drug mule and then killed? Whether it is animals or desperate men and women exploited as couriers, the fact remains that prohibition caused the black market profitability that fuels drug mules. While this is a terribly sad situation caused by black market de-regulation, cocaine users in no way should feel guilty for Pablo's death because they did not create it. Add to the fact that some of these ads feature hands penetrating the lining of Pablo's stomach where he was cut to retrieve the drugs, a gruesome situation is heightened by its failed attempt at associating blame.
Ultimately, these adverts intimate a dichotomy without nuance: YOU, the user, are to blame for Pablo's death; the only road out of perdition is to not use drugs. Basically, drug users kills puppies. But we all know that isn't true...
Cops do!
But look on the bright side, without Pablo's death, there would be no somewhat funny anti-drug commercials* to watch while you eat dinner -- and then summarily throw it up**.
While this isn't as bad as the
brain snorting commercial I posted a little back, it is an entire waste of the 1 million sterling (some will scoff at the low amount) that could be, for example, donated to some animal shelters.
*Unfortunately, that is only for the U.K., or if you read this blog while eating dinner.
** Fortunately, that is only for the U.K., or if you read this blog while eating dinner.
Posted by Evan G.