Partnership for a Drug-Free America

ClientsGLAAD

Aug 26

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA) issued ten television public service announcements (PSA’s) in 1996 as part of its campaign to end heroin use. One of the ten television PSA’s, which was distributed to the nation’s top 50 media markets, suggested that drug use ultimately leads to sex with men, which was portrayed as a social ill more severe than drug use. GLAAD asked PDFA to recall the ad, but in a terse response, PDFA refused.

GLAAD was concerned that the ad had the potential to exacerbate higher-than-average risks gay and lesbian youth face for substance abuse and suicide by implying that being gay is worse than being addicted to heroin. GLAAD agreed with the aims of the campaign but would not support it so long as one of the spots contained an anti-gay message.

Due to an effective media campaign mounted by GLAAD, and the LGBTQ community response it generated, PDFA reconsidered its position and decided to re-edit and reissue their PSA.

Note: The PDFA changed its name to Partnership to End Addiction in 2010.