#8: Film/ Documentary

The Bush Administration forged new ground in film on two fronts: documentary and interactive video, with a single production: Stoners in the Mist.  (The link will take you to the full version, complete with interactive map, quizzes, and a game "Mission to Cannabis Isle.")

The script (which is available for download on the site) for this masterpiece contains captivating, insightful narrative.  Some examples: 

PROFESSOR PUCK: "The stoner's fascinating courtship rituals highlight the extreme difficulty these animals have fitting into other social groups."

PROFESSOR PUCK (V.O.):
"Shocking… the creatures are docile and unresponsive, to the point of helplessness..."

If you don't have time to experience the full production, the trailer below will give you a sense of the compelling acting, scintillating script, and sensitive, compassionate handling of the topic.

If the dark realities portrayed in this film are genuine threats to America's youth, surely the cost to produce such important works of art can be justified.  So let's see what we can find from the "Office of the National Drug Control Policy".  The budget justification makes interesting reading. 

According to this document "the Media Campaign’s goal is to influence perceptions and beliefs about drug use so that they, in turn, change youth and parental intent regarding drug use." There is no expressed intent to accurately characterize the risks and benfits of drug use.  So, the gloomy generalities, ad hominem attacks, labelling, dysphemisms, name-calling, slogans, repetition, stereotyping, and other logical fallacies characteristic of the script are, therefore, irrelevant, and to be tolerated in the name of Art, and the service of the higher mission of the Media Campaign.  (And the expenditures were authorized by Congress, so please, no more discussion about government sponsored propaganda.)

So what about that mission?  

In FY 2007, 64 percent of youth ages 12-18 recalled exposure to weekly anti-drug messages with a higher percent, 77%, recognizing the “Above the Influence” brand. 

Media Campaign PART Review 

Year of Last Review: 2003 Rating Received: Results Not Demonstrated

Purpose: 100  

Planning: 67  

Management: 70   

Results: 6

Highlights: Improvements in planning and management have occurred, however there is little evidence of direct favorable campaign affects on youth; there is evidence of some favorable affects on parents.   

Cost? 

FY 2008: $60 million

Future costs?

FY 2009: $100 million, proposed

Analysis of cost/benefit ratio:  The Adventures of Pluto Nash, anyone?