US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to launch a new anti-drug advertising campaign that highlights the physical consequences of taking drugs like fentanyl. He also repeated his threat to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations, despite opposition from Mexico’s government.
In a speech at a conference of the conservative group Turning Point in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, Trump outlined plans for a multi-million-dollar anti-drug campaign that will focus on the physical impact of taking drugs. The initiative, which he likened to running a political campaign, will aim to deter young people from using drugs by showcasing their devastating effects on appearance and overall health.
“We’re going to advertise how bad drugs are for you,” Trump said. “They ruin your look, they ruin your face, they ruin your skin, they ruin your teeth.”
The president-elect provided few details about the campaign’s budget or specifics of its implementation. His transition team did not respond to a request for further information.
Trump’s anti-drug plan bears similarities with the “Just Say No” campaign led by former first lady Nancy Reagan in the 1980s, which aimed to encourage young Americans to refuse drugs.
The fentanyl crisis has been a major concern in the US, with between 50,000 and 60,000 projected deaths from synthetic opioid overdoses this year. The issue was a focal point of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, despite synthetic opioid deaths more than doubling under his administration.
Trump also revived his campaign promise to designate Mexico’s drug cartels as terrorist groups, a move that could strain relations with Mexico and hinder its efforts against drug trafficking.
In 2019, Trump shelved such a plan at the request of Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sought US cooperation in fighting drug gangs rather than intervention. Some US officials had expressed concerns that designating cartels as terrorists could damage relations with Mexico and undermine its fight against drug trafficking.
Trump’s official election platform states that he will order the Pentagon to use special forces, cyber warfare, and other covert and overt actions to inflict maximum damage on cartel leadership, infrastructure, and operations. The implications of his plan remain uncertain, but it is clear that Trump’s administration will continue to tackle the complex issue of drug trafficking head-on.
Source: Magnet
