(I missed this release from last week. But I think it makes a good point – editor PP)
South Dakota GOP Chair supports new anti-Meth Campaign;
notes “This is everyone’s problem”
South Dakota’s methamphetamine problem hit national news this week with the state of South Dakota’s new ad campaign trying to improve awareness of the problem declaring for South Dakota “Meth: We’re On It.”
The ad campaign has gone viral, hitting top ranking in social media with some people making light of the slogan, but for South Dakota Republican Party Chairman Dan Lederman, the effects of meth on South Dakota communities is no laughing matter.
Lederman issued the following statement in support of the ad campaign:
While the reaction of many to the ad campaign has been to scoff and make fun of the slogan and say it isn’t “their” problem, people need to realize that we all need to take ownership to address this issue. I see the effects of meth every day. And it’s no laughing matter.
I have operated a bail bond business since 1995 and have seen South Dakota’s meth problem grow exponentially. Arrests involving meth addition are something we see every day. Criminal charges don’t stop at possession or distribution of the controlled substance. Methamphetamine use leads to very serious crimes including domestic abuse, assault and theft.
The addict goes through a personal hell of being tied to a drug that is actively killing them. The drug also affects the many victims of crimes related to the use of methamphetimines, such as domestic assault, burglary and theft. Meth destroys lives and families.
Governor Noem is taking the lead on the issue because she gets it – this problem is only going to grow – and we need to take action. This is an issue for everyone who lives in our state. We all have a stake in addressing the meth crisis. We all can do something to actively deal with the issue.
Discuss with your children about the risks involved with trying or using meth. Be there for people who are recovering addicts, let them know you support their sobriety. Offer support to friends and family members who are suffering from addiction to help them get off drugs. We all need to get “on it”.
How again is this my problem? I’m not on meth, no family members are on meth (not even the prescribed type) and we don’t live in fear of being robbed or assaulted by people on meth.
This campaign is still a joke; I think the one Spore Creative put out in response is much more effective.
How again is human trafficking my problem? I’m not a human trafficker, no family members are being trafficked, and we don’t live in fear of being robbed or assaulted by human traffickers.
This campaign against human trafficking is still a joke.
*** Sarcasm off ***
Drug abuse and addiction is a problem for everyone, even if not touched personally at this time. It will soon.
Two very different issues, but I understand ignorance.
Meth may be a problem for you, but it’s not for me and mine.
There are a lot of meth users who have created many social and criminal ills for our state. Health problems . . . which we taxpayers have to help fund; crimes, even though you haven’t been a victim yet many have . . . taxpayers have to pay for their incarceration; broken families . . . need taxpayers help. But then if you are not a taxpayer, you might not be affected.
And you feel the same about taxpayers having to help fund illegal aliens, planned parenthood, obese people’s health problems? I can do nothing about where my taxes are applied.
I am sorry for the people facing these issues, but, again, it’s not my problem and I cannot become Batman fighting injustices.
Most people understand ignorance, and most know people who bury their heads in the sand.
Now meth is a partisan issue?
That’s how the gov office knows they botched the operation.
The only reason Meth has become partisan is because the Leftists and haters have once again used any means possible
to create a negative narrative against anyone and anything coming from the other side.
Yes – blame leftists and “haters” for the negative narrative around this (sarcasm). Let’s blame the “fiscally conservative” administration for the waste of tax payer dollars which preempts this campaign in the first place? Or should we also blame the legislature who has done nothing since the passing of SB70 to grow sentencing alternatives? Or should we also blame county/state administrations for underfunding treatment staff and resources?
Then again – this might label me as a “hater” – if so, I can get used to that.
How many $140k staffers signed off on this for the governor?
State republican party supports state republican governor’s expenditures. In related news: water is wet, sky is up. More at 11.
If Kristi needs the chairman of the GOP to come to her defense on this, she’s failed.
I’m pretty sure this advertising company won’t be including this one in their list of successful campaigns. Had they gone with “South Dakota’s meth problem: I’m on it” or even “The meth problem: I’m on it” they would have had something much harder to take out of context and make a joke. Instead they did a commercial with upright members of the Pierre/Ft. Pierre community saying “I’m on meth.”
That’s stupid.
As for Anonymous at the top of this stack saying “We don’t live in fear of being robbed…”, wow. It just hasn’t happened to you yet, that you know of. On the other hand, the fact that we expend money to pay law enforcement, etc., for expenses related to crimes committed by meth users and traffickers means you pay more in taxes or your taxes aren’t going for things like public education or roads. Yes, the meth problem affects you.
You and others can spin this however you need to, but meth doesn’t affect me and in all reality human trafficking doesn’t either. I cannot become Batman and fight these injustices by the dark of night. Again, we don’t live in fear, we take certain precautions: we don’t visit areas where meth users/dealers frequent, we’re close with our neighbors, we have security cameras, someone in the family is usually armed… do you need me to continue?
Our taxes have been increasing for decades, funding things proven to be ineffective for the community. Teachers received a pay raise and nothing changed for students. Sure it’s annoying, but give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. If I have to pay more taxes, so be it. I’ll pay and move on, I don’t dwell.