This short group of PSAs from the 1970s were an outgrowth of a campaign organized 1970-73 during Richard Nixon’s presidency. The administration worked with the nonprofit Advertising Council to orchestrate a national, “one-voice” mass media campaign to change Americans’ attitudes toward the use of drugs. One of these campaigns “Why Do You Think They Call it Dope?” proved highly successful, and became part of pop culture.

Two PSAs are included here from the “Call it Dope” campaign, one at (0:06) and a second at (3:35). The first PSA (0:06) features a pusher attempting to sell drugs to young children, who talk back and debunk his statements about amphetamines and other street drugs. “Why Do You Think They Call it Dope?” The next ad, with a jungle theme, (1:27) comes from the American Osteopathic Association, campaigns against the casual misuse of prescription drugs. At (2:24) an FDA sponsored ad also delves into the hazards of taking too many prescription drugs including sleeping drugs. “Don’t mix prescription drugs without medical advice.” At (3:35) an Emperor’s New Clothes cartoon attempts to educate people about the dangers of smoking pot and taking pills. “No thanks — Why Do You Think They Call it Dope?”

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