'With Scenes of Blood and Pain': Crime Control and the Punitive Imagination of The Meth Project

The pedagogy of disgust: the ethical, moral and political implications of using disgust in public health campaigns

“…While imagery and words evoking disgust have been common in such Australian public health campaigns, they are also frequently used in North America (Gagnon, Jacob and Holmes 2010;Linnemann, Hanson and Williams 2013). For example a 2009 New York City council media campaign attempted to deter people from consuming sugary fizzy drinks by rendering them disgusting and showing their effect on body composition.…”

Navigating the risk environment: Structural vulnerability, sex, and reciprocity among women who use methamphetamine

“…In recent years, prevention media in the United States have targeted women who use meth using highly gendered claims that the drug causes users to trade sex for money and drugs (Linnemann, Hanson, & Williams, 2013). For example, some ads in The Meth Project’s highly visible Not Even Once campaign portray teenage girls offering sex for drugs or money, often at the behest of a male significant other; another shows a teenage meth addict offering sexual favors from herself and her younger sister in exchange for cash (The Meth Project, 2013).…”

“…For example, some ads in The Meth Project’s highly visible Not Even Once campaign portray teenage girls offering sex for drugs or money, often at the behest of a male significant other; another shows a teenage meth addict offering sexual favors from herself and her younger sister in exchange for cash (The Meth Project, 2013). Such incomplete portrayals perpetuate the multiple levels of violence experienced by women who use meth and other drugs, emphasizing their violation of idealised gender roles and disregarding the risk environments in which they live (Linnemann, et al, 2013). …”

“…Nonetheless, such multi-pronged prevention efforts have clearly stated objectives of influencing drug policy (The Meth Project, 2013) and, due to their authoritative status and visibility, they shape popular opinions and “knowledge” about drug use and its consequences (Irwin & Jordan, 1987; Linnemann, et al, 2013). Thus, situating such claims in the contexts faced by users themselves is essential to minimise risk and harm.…”

“…Laws aimed at limiting children’s exposure to drug use and manufacture target female users, who often fill the role of primary caregiver (Flavin & Paltrow, 2010; Hulsey, 2005; Paltrow, 2000; Siegel, 1997). Media construct the “problem” of female drug use through highly gendered, moralistic discourses emphasizing violations of normative femininity (Humphries, 1999; Linnemann, 2010; Linnemann, et al, 2013; Linnemann & Wall, 2013; McKenna, 2011; Mountian, 2005). Female drug users also face greater struggles related to employment, family relationships, mental health, parenting and accessing drug treatment than their male counterparts (Hser, Evans, & Huang, 2005; Murphy & Rosenbaum, 1999).…”