cannabisnews.com: Bush Wants Funding Jump for Anti-Drug Ads Bush Wants Funding Jump for Anti-Drug Ads Posted by CN Staff on February 08, 2007 at 07:14:19 PT By Ryan Grim Source: Politico Washington, DC -- President Bush has proposed a significant jump in funding for an anti-drug advertising campaign that government-funded research shows is at best useless and at worst has increased drug use among some teens.The administration has asked for a 31 percent increase in funding for the advertising campaign that a nearly five-year study concluded had increased the likelihood that all teens would smoke marijuana. The White House proposal would increase the program's budget to $130 million over the next year. Before the Democratic takeover of Congress, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., was a top supporter of the anti-drug ad program. "It's Hastert's baby," said Bill Piper, national affairs director for the Drug Policy Alliance, which has long targeted the ad campaign. Hastert's office did not return calls requesting comment.But with the former speaker relegated to the back bench, the ad campaign is vulnerable, and a more stark shift in its congressional oversight would be difficult to imagine.Under the last Congress, oversight of the ad program fell to Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., easily the most vocal and fervent anti-drug crusader in Congress. That subcommittee is now chaired by Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio, a Democratic presidential contender, who has called to have marijuana legalized and regulated similarly to alcohol.Additionally, Rep. José E. Serrano, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee, which controls spending on the ad campaign, is skeptical about the program."The proposed increase for the … media campaign is something that we will have to evaluate closely in light of a report by the GAO suggesting the campaign is ineffective. I intend to look into this issue," said Serrano in a statement to The Politico.The program came under special scrutiny when the Government Accountability Office released its study results last August. The nearly five-year, $47 million study was conducted by Westat, based in Rockville, Md., for the Office of National Drug Control Policy.Since 1998, the federal government has spent more than $1.4 billion on the campaign, through television and print ads. One memorable spot showed a stoned teenaged driver running over a little girl on a bicycle.The bad study results weren't news to the White House, which sat on the research for a year and a half while continuing to fund the ad campaign on the basis that the study was still ongoing, Slate magazine reported in September. In October, National Journal reported that John Carnevale, former director of budget and planning for the drug czar's office, admitted that the office "did not like the report's conclusions and chose to sit on it."The GAO-reviewed study found that "greater exposure to the campaign was associated with weaker anti-drug norms and increases in the perceptions that others use marijuana." In some categories, such as 14- to 16-year-olds, and among all white teens, more exposure to the ads led to higher rates of first-time drug use.In 2003, the Office of Management and Budget evaluated the program and determined it showed virtually no results. The 6 percent score on the program's effectiveness forced the program to come up with an improvement plan. OMB's Web site still notes that the plan is "pending the receipt of the GAO report assessing the Media Campaign evaluation," which was received more than two years ago.Martin Green, Souder's press secretary, said the congressman fully supports the increased funding for the ad campaign, but only so long as the ads combat methamphetamines as well as marijuana.Souder's shift in emphasis away from marijuana signals a new approach by the federal government to the drug war -- though not necessarily a desire for lower funding."I think the pressure on meth will still be strong," said Green, emphasizing bipartisan congressional opposition to the drug. "Marijuana may be different."Sidebar: Ryan Grim, who wrote today's story on the anti-drug campaign program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), previously worked for the Marijuana Policy Project, which lobbies to legalize marijuana. Grim worked at the project from June 2004 until May 2005, a fact that has been on his official bio since he joined Politico.com. Grim called the ONDCP for comment for his story early Wednesday. Instead of returning Grim's call, Tom Riley, the agency's spokesman, called The Politico's senior publisher and editor, Martin Tolchin, to point out Grim's previous work with the Marijuana Policy Project. He then threatened to complain to Washington Post media columnist Howard Kurtz about a conflict of interest.The ONDCP did not return Grim's call Wednesday.Complete Title: Bush Wants Funding Jump for Anti-Drug Ads - Rated as Useless Newshawk: Toker00Source: Politico, The (DC)Author: Ryan Grim Published: February 8, 2007Copyright: The Politico & Politico.com, a division of Allbritton Communications Co.Website: http://www.politico.com/Contact: http://www.politico.com/aboutus/URL: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0207/2673.html Related Article & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/A Change In The Weatherhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22582.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on February 08, 2007 at 13:17:37 PT Off Topic: Anna Nicole Smith Dies http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/gossip/16654506.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by teaehchsea on February 08, 2007 at 13:08:01 PT The sea change A sea of money has been spent. It has brought a sea of madness.The sea change is coming, tsunami style. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on February 08, 2007 at 12:02:20 PT Related Article from The Washington Post Does Bush Want Kids To Smoke Pot?: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22616.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by observer on February 08, 2007 at 11:54:52 PT Shooting the Messengers Grim called the ONDCP for comment for his story early Wednesday.Isn't this what journalists should do?Instead of returning Grim's call, Tom Riley, the agency's spokesman, called The Politico's senior publisher and editor, Martin Tolchin, to point out Grim's previous work with the Marijuana Policy Project. He then threatened to complain to Washington Post media columnist Howard Kurtz about a conflict of interest.And this also is Standard Operating Procedure. Never give a straight answer. Attaboy, pardner. Head 'em off at the pass. As an important Government Official, you must use your majesty and power (not to mention your intelligence apparatus) to squish the little bugs of political life. When irritated by the winds of political change, lash out at the messengers and question their motives for daring to question Thee, The Important Government Official. Since you're the Government Official, you demand answers from the rabble. You don't answer the rabble's impetuous questions.As an important Government Official, never admit you're wrong. That would give aid and comfort to "the enemy" (i.e. the aphid-serfs that populate your realm). That would send the wrong message to the children (i.e., everyone thou rulest). That might cause more serfs to ask more questions. It's a wonder that Important Government Official didn't have Grim arrested for something. In a fascist police state (which the United States fully seems to be), anyone can be arrested for anything at anytime. That's part of the the way the secret police keeps you cowed and terrified. You say the wrong thing, and Secret Police "finds" a "stem" or "discovers" a "peyote mushroom" particle. That's the way it works in fascist police state America. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on February 08, 2007 at 09:43:23 PT Just My Thoughts I am really looking forward to Saturday because Obama will announce he is running for President. He might not win but I am looking forward to what he has to say. He's my kind of person. Here's Neil Young's documentary about Looking For a Leader. Also the Grammy's are Sunday night. Neil has been nominated for Looking For a Leader and so have The Dixie Chicks for their album. I will totally enjoy this weekend.Toker00 Thank You!Looking For a Leader: http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/lookinforaleader_wm.htmlLooking For a Leader Documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZejS7ix_s9g [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Celaya on February 08, 2007 at 09:25:27 PT Ulterior Motives The goal of marijuana prohibition is not to end marijuana use, but to support the behomoth black market, maintain the pretext for persecution of free-thinkers, support various industries who would suffer greatly from legal marijuana, etc.So then, the goal of anti-marijuana ads is not to reduce marijuana consumption either. The real goal is to shore up the demonization of marijuana and fight against the growing public realization of marijuana's near harmlessness. It's a direct assault on marijuana reform. So, discussion about the ad's "ineffectiveness" goes like the proverbial water off a duck's back. For their real purposes, the ads are effective. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on February 08, 2007 at 09:18:21 PT Action. (Gee tanks, FoM.) How can Christians lead like Pharaohs? Just ask BUSHCO.Hi Toke,Despite the predictions that the Iraqi occupation would end quickly, stay within budget and put an end to terrorism, terrorist acts around the world have increased since 9/11.Why isn't our strategy working? Read the essay and find out! >>http://go.care2.com/e/R5Cu/DhOs/o9USThis essay addresses the fundamental roots of terrorism and uncovers how America can help bring about a true reduction in the effects of terrorism.Richard Vague, founder of American Respect, addresses this important problem in his essay entitled Terrorism: A Brief for Americans - The Scope, Causes, and Means for Reducing Terrorism, Including Commentary on Iraq.Read the essay today and learn how the US can lead the way in creating peace in Islamic countries, including a discussion of underlying issues in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran.By finding balanced solutions for government and the economy, we can create a more just and respectful world where everyone is truly more safe.Though it was only released on February 1, this brief has already been featured on the Washington Post Radio, in Arian Huffington's widely-read blog and a number of other media sources. Read "Terrorism: An Executive Summary" for yourself and be a part of the change! >>http://go.care2.com/e/R5Cu/DhOs/o9USFrom Care2.com With gratitude,Robyn E. Care2 and ThePetitionSite TeamToke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by MikeEEEEE on February 08, 2007 at 09:13:07 PT Pissing your money away bush is very good at it. Perhaps Americans are used to getting ripped off.Billions and Billions of Dollars Just Disappear in Iraq http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0208-02.htmThe world goal should be surviving this idiot for another 2 years. If the Senate or Congress had the ba??s, they would impeach him and cheney (the go f yourself guy) for war crimes, using torture, and destroying our democracy (just to name a few). [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by zandor on February 08, 2007 at 07:31:20 PT Look at it this way. Pissing away 130 million dollars for junk ad's is better then buying guns or giving it to the American SS aka. The DEA. It's better then buying more bombs to drop on innocent people in another country.It's better then increasing the Lawyers Drug squad budget of the Justice department for that jackass Gonzales. Maybe they can buy him some toilet paper so he will stop using out constitutional to wipe his ass. I say that money is best spend to Impeach both Bush & Chaney right now......just think how many lives we could save just by doing that simple thing. Impeachment!!!! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment