Where else can you see Alf, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Duck Tales characters, Bugs Bunny, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kermit the Frog, and the Smurfs in one movie? Obviously, an over 30-minute long drug PSA is not necessarily the first place you would imagine. Back in the 1990s, kids around the world were unwillingly treated to a very bizarre drug PSA that involved some of their favorite cartoon characters from hit TV shows at the time. In a twist, though, the hand-drawn legends were forming a pseudo-Justice League to help a boy overcome his addiction to drugs. So, was this message to kids a hit or a miss? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
An Animated Intervention
During a time when the Reagan-era campaign of “Just Say No” was still echoing through the minds of the general public, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation decided to distribute a movie that would attempt to teach kids about the horror of drug use. (Even Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who composed songs for classic Disney films, teamed up to write the theme song.) After a brief introduction from then-President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, the movie starts when a bunch of classic cartoon characters witness a thief stealing from a young girl. After the group tracks down the thief, they discover he is the girl’s older brother Michael, who has been using the cash to buy joints off his friends.
Where It Fails
Let’s not forget that the 1990s was a time when drugs were exceptionally terrifying, and PSAs were overblown in an attempt to drive a stake of understanding through the brains of adults and children. Besides its bizarre portrayal of the herb marijuana, Cartoon All Stars fails to focus on different types of drugs like cocaine, crack cocaine, and opioids (which were major problems at the time). However, it does manage to focus on how drugs can ruin a person’s social life, mind, and body. One clip from the film even features Michael looking at his premature corpse in the near future. Perhaps this was not the best way to get through to children, after all.
Seeking Treatment for Drug Addiction or Alcoholism
For individuals suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism, the path to healing can sometimes feel like a distant flicker of light in the darkness. Sometimes, you may feel like you are sinking into the muck and are unable to reach your prize. However, you must stay strong and be patient. With the right resources and a little bit of love for yourself, you can easily overcome your sickness and become healthy once more.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug addiction or alcoholism or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process of alcohol withdrawal and detox and guide you along the rocky road of rehabilitation. Soon enough, you will experience a faster and much more efficient recovery.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.