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Shock Videos: Famed Movie Director Darren Aronofsky Creates Graphic Anti-Meth Ads

Movie Director Darren Aronofsky Creates Anti Drug Spots for Meth Project

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that has gained prevalence in the United States. In Montana, a state that was once known for having major problems with the drug, usage rates have decreased as anti-drug advocates have worked fervently to try and stem the problem.

In September, the Blaze reported on some of the controversial commercials that the Meth Project has launched. These videos, as you may recall, were extremely effective and graphic. The Meth Project, which has become known for its groundbreaking and captivating video spots, is often credited for helping raise the awareness that has led to a major decline in drug abuse.

In September, CBS News reported that meth use is down in Montana by 63 percent since the ads started running back in 2005. The state, which once ranked 5th in the nation when it came to meth use, now ranks 39th.

Movie Director Darren Aronofsky Creates Anti Drug Spots for Meth Project

Now, this same group has commissioned famed director Darren Aronofsky to put together four groundbreaking PSAs. If you’re unfamiliar with his work, these films may trigger your memory — “Black Swan,“ ”Requiem For a Dream“ and ”The Fountain,” among others.

If you’re familiar with these films, you know that they contain graphic images and subject matter. “Requiem For a Dream,” in particular, uniquely suits Aronofsky for a role with the Meth Project, as the film dealt intensely with the negative impact of drug and substance abuse.

Media Bistro’s Agency Spy blog writes, “Perhaps no other major motion picture in history better captured the horror of heroin and speed addiction, as we watched the film’s characters lose their dignity, limbs and sanity due to a heavy reliance on drugs.” Clearly, there’s a reason the group chose Aronofsky to complete the task.

The ads are so graphic that it‘s a wonder they’ll be airing on television at all. But according to numerous sources, the spots, which deal with attempted suicide, gay sex and a number of other controversial issues, will, indeed, make it to the small screen.

Below, see the first of the four new spots. In the clip, called “Deep End,” you’ll see a young girl who has been abusing meth. The scene quickly devolves and it becomes apparent that she is making a suicide attempt, as her mother discovers her in the process and tries to stop her (caution: graphic):

In another ad, entitled “Desperate,” a young boy meets a man at a hotel in an attempt to earn money for his meth habit (caution: sexual imagery):

In the third ad, called “ER,” another young woman is seen being restrained in a hospital bed. Her friend, after seeing the result of her drug abuse, appears unfazed and goes out to the car to “light up” (caution: disturbing images):

And finally, there’s “Losing Control,” which depicts a young boy being abused by his brother. The brother, of course, is attempting to steal money from the boy to support his meth addiction (caution: violence):

You can see other Meth Project ads here. The group hopes that the graphic nature of these clips will prevent drug use, while helping those who may already be using.

These ads, along with the campaigns surrounding them, may have had a profound impact on usage and abuse, although it is tough to be sure. Regardless, the spots certainly serve as a graphic, yet worthwhile, conversation piece.

(H/T: Huffington Post)

Comments (90)

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  • moreteaplease
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:18am

    It‘s shocking to see before and after photos of someone who’s been hooked on meth for like 6 months to 2 years. The transformation is sad. Satan really has his hooks dug in deep with this one.

    Report Post » moreteaplease  
    • Ford
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:27am

      It is amazing to see someone you knew after them using meth for a while. My husband arrested a woman that he knew in highschool, but didn’t know that it was her until he saw her ID. The change was so bad that the 25 year old woman looked like she was in her 50′s.

      Report Post » Ford  
    • sailfished
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:50am

      The meth project here in Montana has been the single most effective tool in drastically reducing meth use. The kids themselves were given the tools and resources to deliver hard hitting real world measures to their peers, When law enforcement failed to curb it’s popularity it was the peer to peer shaming and shunning that finally broke the back of this satanic , evil blight. Kudos to the film maker, producer for using this strong educational tool to get the message out.

      Report Post » sailfished  
  • cemerius
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:17am

    One of these adds should be on the Emergency Broadcast station……..aired everywhere!

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:31pm

      Is it appropriate to give sympathy and or support to a drug addict? To feel sorry for them, is that appropriate?

      I don’t think so. If a person is stupid enough to start down the drug road, they only have themselves to blame for the consequences to their lives. I can find no sympathy for over-the-top stupidity.

      I hope these ads will educate the ones not yet hooked.

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • 777jenn
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 10:58am

      Shocking to see this. Just SO evil. I hope it WORKS for any kids who could be on this road….Guess that the old fried egg ad “ this is your brain on drugs” won’t be effective anymore, hmm? Kids are SO desensitized today that there is almost NOTHING that will impress them.

      Report Post » 777jenn  
  • Oraclevoiceofreason
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:09am

    He is right on target and I love this project and what is being put out there – enough of this political correctness and we don’t want to hurt peoples feelings. I run an addiction treatment program in Utah and it IS HORRIBLE what is happening to families. And parents have got to step it up and get out of their denial and see the truth. Meth rots you from the inside out.

    Report Post » Oraclevoiceofreason  
    • pbrenda51
      Posted on November 10, 2011 at 11:06am

      There is a fine line between sympathy and enabling…….we can certainly be sympathetic but it would be important to not cross the line and enable them……I know soooooo many people who enable their children, GROWN children, enabling them so they don’t have to work, so they can live at home forever……….I believe in tough love…..and with this meth problem, that would be appropriate……go into treatment or hit bottom……sometimes in hitting bottom, it is the beginning of recovery for them……how sad they ever felt they NEEDED to try it in the first place…..I am proud to say that I am 60 and have NEVER used illicit drugs in my lifetime……how many can say that anymore?

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:06am

    Why not just show what happens to their teeth?

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:54am

    Most young women get involved in drugs because of male influence. The same with abortion. It is even worse in third world countries like Afghanistan where many women were found to be addicted to heroine in order to emotional escape the very harsh treatment they received in a male-authoritarian society. You men have a lot of work to do in reforming your thinking.
    I would suggest you start a Men’s ministry and raise your sons to be protectors instead of predators.

    Now come at me with your replies, but be very careful. I have the truth on my side.

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
    • becksagoodguy
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:05am

      You may have a point but I think you are giving men/boys too much credit on how girls/women get addicted. We have to get away from the progressive thought process that there is always someone else to blame. Women get into addictions and other horrible life choices because THEY choose to. No one is forcing the meth/crack pipe in their mouth and no one is holding them down injecting Heroin into their veins.

      Report Post » becksagoodguy  
    • agameofthrones
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:12am

      I totally agree. Men try anything to give up responsibility. Our feminist society has taught men to be sissies and the feminists have said, “hey, we don’t need men, we can do it all ourselves. So they started to let us. Feminists told mothers that staying at home to just be a mom was unfulfilling, so we went into the workforce and left the raising of our children to day care and schools. There are many women who must work, but there are many who do so because they have been taught that they should. Let‘s give the man’s responsibility to provide for and protect his family back. If that happened, you would see a greater respect between the sexes. Now if you thought you were going to take heat for your comments, I’m sure I just deflected it.

      Report Post » agameofthrones  
    • Oraclevoiceofreason
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:13am

      Spot in – raise your boys to be noble Husbands and Fathers. Tragically – the statistics are terrible regarding drug abuse and incarceration for women – nearly 100% are related to a man in their life ( the father , husbands, brothers and boyfriends). But with meth – more women are addicted to meth than any other illegal drug ( prescription pills are right up there.) They start using meth at a later age and struggle to be free from it – treatment fails more often for women than men

      Report Post » Oraclevoiceofreason  
    • cemerius
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:15am

      So, you lumped ALL men together here?

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • GodNGunsPatriot
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:28am

      Yep. Always someone else’s fault….

      Report Post »  
    • American Saint
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:36am

      I am a man and I have always attempted to befriend women with good moral character and it‘s sickening when you read a post that it’s “my job” to be accountable for someone else’s meth use. It’s not my job. It’s her job…and her parents job. So many people always look for someone or something to pin the “bad rap” on needing a victim to justify their own existence. God forbid if each person was held accountable for their own actions. When the femi-nazis got a foothold in the 70′s it expanded to the ludicrous comments we get to read today. My wife is a good moral decent person because she chooses to be that way and she had good parenting, not because we have weekly conversations about not using meth.

      Report Post » American Saint  
    • American Saint
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:41am

      And I have raised my sons to be protectors. My 10 year old owns a Ruger 10/22 and my 7 year old has a BB gun and tricked out sling shot!

      Report Post » American Saint  
    • Jennifer_D
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:43am

      Re: I would suggest you start a Men’s ministry and raise your sons to be protectors instead of predators.

      This is a great comment that can be applied to many things; not necessarily addiction. I don’t agree that men are responsible for women becoming addicted to drugs, but they do take advantage of that addiction in some ways. An example is women who turn to prostitution when they can’t afford to purchase drugs.

      Report Post » Jennifer_D  
    • OhMyGosh
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:47am

      To Conservativewoman

      I have to agree with Becksagoodguy on this. Girls or women are very independant in this time of the world. Even in the third world countries they have a yearning for independance and do what they can to make their own choices, even at the face of retriburtion. I who have stood and faced an abuser in a final stance of “I dare you” don’t beleive men make all of womens choices. Women will make their own choices even in the face of danger of a man.

      Women are making their own choice in every country to take drugs of whatever sort. I would only dare to say the only so called “victims” maybe the young runaways who get snatched up by predatory pimps. And even then they have a choice to say no. But I believe they are in a situation where they are only wanting to please someone and be accepted. And they will do anything for acceptance and what they think will bring them love.

      Report Post »  
    • junior1971
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:58am

      Women on welfare who only give birth for the gov money are more to blame than men are. They know that if a man is in the house then the free money will stop flowing in, so they prefer to be single moms that could’nt care less about their own children. I’ll bet your divorced and of course, the mother gets the child support, the full custody, and 100 % of the choice whether or not to abort their child but the father gets nothing more than the bill. Keep your sexist, narrow minded thoughts to yourself while you research the evidence supporting what I just taught you.

      Report Post » junior1971  
    • American Saint
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:00pm

      @Jenn D
      Prostitution is still a choice made by the woman, in the example that you give. Meth was also a choice made by the woman. I am so glad I have a wonderful, sensual, strong minded wife that understands accountability. If she speeds and gets a ticket, she doesn’t come home and blame it on me because we own a truck with too much horsepower. She fully understands that she was not looking at the speedometer. I couldn’t imagine waking up to a sickening progressive every morning wondering when I got out of bed if those egg shells were going to start cracking again.

      Report Post » American Saint  
    • Jennifer_D
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:45pm

      @American Saint

      Drugs change the chemical make-up of the brain and the last time I checked chemicals were not progressive or conservative. I didn’t say that women should not be accountable for their choices, but I did say that men should also be accountable for theirs. Conservativewoman’s comment about men being protectors not predators was excellent. There is more to “protecting” than literal protection; it is also about how women are viewed and treated by men in general. I hope that along with teaching your sons about physical safety you’ll teach them how to respect women and formulate sincere emotional connections with women that transcend the superficial when they are an appropriate age.

      The example I gave was appropriate; men feed off of vulnerabilities of women for their own motives. The example you gave was ridiculous. A speeding ticket is in no way comparable to drug addiction. A speeding ticket can be paid easily and there are no further consequences; addiction is a continuous cycle. Drug addicts make decisions while under the influence of mind-altering substances so they do things that any reasonable person would never consider doing.

      The purpose of these ads is to get across the seriousness of meth addiction because it really does just take using ONCE to go from a “wonderful, sensual, strong minded” woman to the lowest common denominator. That is what drugs do!

      Report Post » Jennifer_D  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:17pm

      No need. My church already has a men‘s and women’s ministry. They accept people from all around the country.

      Report Post »  
    • American Saint
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:32pm

      @Jenn D
      I certainly don’t need a Progressive “Go Girl Power” woman giving me instructions on how to raise my boys. If left to you they would probably be occupying your home town right now with no idea of what the cause is.

      I raise my boys as Americans just like I was raised. They’re smart enough to judge each person individually before coming to a conclusion. They don’t look for boobs first. You make it sound like because you’re a woman you automatically deserve special attention. I hate to be the one to break it to you but you are not special! You earn special treatment with kindness, respect and morals and that’s what my boys know. If they find someone that carries those values then they will befriend them, if not then they move on and that is regardless of race or sex. It’s really that simple and more people should do that.

      You go on to defend drug addicts being under the influence and making bad decisions. Here’s a suggestion…Just don’t start using drugs in the first place. I didn’t make that choice for them to shoot up the first time, then prostitute themselves to pay for their addiction. I hate to tell you this but that is not my problem.

      Just because some man left you doesn’t make the whole group bad. He probably just woke up one day and realized what he had and made a smart decision to leave. I’m sure you had his balls wrapped up in a paper sack stored under the bed and he just wanted to see what they felt like when he got t

      Report Post » American Saint  
    • Conkuur
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:37pm

      Thats the same logic Obama uses for his economy “Just blame Bush”. So you are implying women are soooo weak they turn to drugs because of male influences? Maybe you are but I know a lot of very strong women who beg to differ. Addicts use a plethora of excuses as to why they use drugs but the simple facts are it is a personal choice. Until you say to yourself “This is my problem” all the excuses just help you to continue using.

      Report Post » Conkuur  
    • American Saint
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 1:42pm

      to wear them.

      Report Post » American Saint  
    • Thomas Paine
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 3:16pm

      Your 100% correct. Liberal ideology gave week minded men the excuse to behave like irresponsible ********.

      Report Post » Thomas Paine  
    • Packerdogs
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 4:14pm

      Sounds like a personal experience for you. Perhaps the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree Mr. T Paine.

      Report Post »  
    • billinauburn
      Posted on November 12, 2011 at 12:44pm

      What a twit you are. In this day and age when women have the freedom to choose all of the aspects of their lives, you come out with this drivel about how men are THE controlling factor in womens destiny.

      Want to become President, CEO, Doctor, Lawyer, women have not only the choice and freedom to do so but a leg up thanks to affirmative action.

      End up doing drugs, prostituting themselves, being in bad relationships, it must be because of “male influence”

      I suppose you are not be able to see the hypocrisy in your you attitute but that is alright, all the rest of us do.

      As far as “I have the truth on my side.”, my only question is, according to who? NOW, Gloria Steinem, Femi-nazi monthly?

      Please feel free to pull your head out of your ass and start living like we are all humans together, try and help those you love and have compassion for all.

      Ignorance can be cured with education, stupidity is incurable and your whole post easily fell in the stupidity realm.

      Report Post »  
  • HTuttle
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:39am

    Nice! They should do a similar series on Liberalism.

    Report Post »  
  • CaptMickeyd
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:37am

    If more people were confronted with the consequences of their actions, true consequences, they might rethink what they do. Unfortunately, Hollywood gives us a glamorized version of prostitution, drug use, and generally immoral behavior. Way to go Meth Project. Well done.

    Report Post » CaptMickeyd  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:28pm

      totally agree with hollywood glamorizing obscene and dangerous behavior showing no consequence. as parents we have to be careful what our kids see, this ad needs to be shown in all highschools.

      Report Post »  
  • ROMANS 10-9
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:37am

    Show the ROTTEN TEETH!

    Report Post » ROMANS 10-9  
  • ROMANS 10-9
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:34am

    FINALLY!!!

    I Love this approach!

    I have been wondering for years why these images havn’t been depicted to the public!

    This is how to reach users BEFORE they try it!

    Thank you!

    Report Post » ROMANS 10-9  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:41am

      ..and that‘s why I’m voting Ron Paul. Dr. Paul wants to send non-violent drug offenders to TREATMENT CENTERS instead of jail. The jails are so overcrowded, they’re letting people back on the streets. Heck, Michael Jackson’s doctor was sentenced to 4 years, but because of jail crowding, he is predicted to sereve 1 MONTH! That’s just wrong.

      Report Post »  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:46am

      On YouTube there is a video of a very intelligent (once handsome, but now covered in sores). He talks about his addiction and how his appearance was after a few days on the streets (after being clean for one year). It’s not just stupid kids on meth — adults that know better are in the chain of addiction. Only treatment can help — jail does nothing.

      Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 11:16am

      Calling him a Doctor doesn’t make him less Liberal, not does it make his ardent supporters less anti-Semetic.

      Ron Paul isn’t getting the nomination. Assuming you aren’t one of the “ardent” Paul supporters, please check into the man more deeply. Ask yourself, “Do I agree with Ron Paul on more than just ‘end the fed’?”

      Report Post » Jaycen  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 6:06pm

      Jaycen, you’re the one that should check because Dr. Paul definitely believes in a strong defense, the best interest of Israel and he certainly isn’t “liberal.” In fact, if you’re for constant war intervention, you are a neo-con. Neo-cons are NOT conservative. Therefore, you are more liberal than Dr. Paul. Do the homework and you‘ll see that I’m not spouting mis-information (as you are).

      Report Post »  
  • sirdevloin
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:34am

    Well done. Keep up the good work. Show it as ugly and horrific and destructive as it is. It should be uncomfortable to watch.

    Report Post »  
  • JohnnyBrillcream
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:32am

    I highly suggest going to the website and watch the adds, VERY powerful. I‘ll definitely have my kids watch them once they reach and age when I feel it’s necessary.

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:28am

    They should show the physical effects that meth has on people who use it.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • smokie
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:59am

      I love Aronofsky’s work. I highly reccomend “Requiem for a Dream”‘ though I warn it’s extremely graphic.

      Report Post »  
  • VISITORNUMBER3
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:26am

    Good for him….it’s a scourge on our society. It’s sad how many lives have been (and are being) torn apart by this devastating drug…

    Report Post » VISITORNUMBER3  
  • On The Bayou
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:14am

    Meth is truely an evil drug. You have to be able to recognize when a friend or family member is using it. The best you can do is educate your children about Meth and pray they never start using it. Once the addiction starts it is very hard to reverse it. The person using thinks that they “ Have Got It Going On ” but in reality they are a out of control downward spiral.

    Report Post » On The Bayou  
  • Raisingmy3boysright
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:14am

    In my Organic chemistry class we made lots of white crystals that were “unknowns” and my teacher said we should leave them in class and not take them home and bring back the next day because if we were pulled over it could be bad! I wonder if we were making crap for him :-0
    Anyway, why would you put crap in your body that you wouldn’t even put in your car??????????????? It is gross and disgusting to put chemicals like that into your body!!

    Report Post » Raisingmy3boysright  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:13am

    That was horrible! It does look like a lot of those nasty OWS protestors….. Check them out next time you see a video.

    Report Post »  
  • becksagoodguy
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:10am

    Great ads!!!! As an ER nurse, think they need to add Heroin and prescription drug abuse to these PSA’s. Seeing so many kids and families lives ruined and I’m not seeing a very good rehab rate with kids with heroin addictons, it is very sad.

    Young and old are getting addicted to prescription drugs. These ads show a typical day in the life of an ER and the out of control behavior I have seen when one of our doctors will not prescribe narcotics to people we know are having an issue. Probably the best thing Illinois has ever done was create a data base where we can track our abusers and watch them getting narcotics from all sorts of doctors and different ERs in the area. Of course, all these people eventually get on disability…

    Report Post » becksagoodguy  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 12:34pm

      I was in a near-fatal accident and take a couple of opiates-Methadone and Percocet for pain in the many broken bones I had. It irks me that, because of these dishonest, theiving people, I cannot just call my doctor and get these refilled. I actually have to drive to my doctor’s office to get a written prescription. I have to take a drug test every year, and one time, they mixed up my test and thought I was taking something. I set them straight, but never received an apology.
      I am an honest person and have no reason to lie, but still get treated like a criminal. It’s because of cheaters, liars, and thieves in the disability system. I am still working, even though I and 45% disabled and wear braces on both legs, because I have a work ethic. There have been people, in our office, who have gone on Worker’s Comp disability for just one of the conditions I have.
      Also, if I quit, we won’t have insurance. My wife could work, but is staying home until the last of our children graduate. I’m not trying to garner sympathy, just disgust at the people who illegally take and deal prescription drugs, abuse the system, and cause problems for the people who really need it.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:09am

    I am speechless…Numb.

    Report Post » toomuchgovt  
    • Hiswill
      Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:28am

      Ditto! Scared me too. God help all those children already controled by this horrible drug.

      Report Post » Hiswill  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:09am

    It’s a little worst than that!

    Report Post »  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:08am

    I am speechless……. Numb.

    Report Post » toomuchgovt  
  • GJPinks
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:07am

    You mean Meth isn’t just like the cool people in Breaking Bad? Who know?

    Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:03am

    The stills look like OWS protesters.

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • LOLReally
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 10:02am

    This really is one of the worst things happening to our country today. I have watched school mates turn into useless piles of garbage because of this stuff. The lucky ones get away before it completely takes your soul but too many are under this venom’s spell. 15 years ago it was bikers that brought this in and made it popular (first hand witness to this) spreading it to make easy money with no regard to the lives it would ruin. Now it’s made in mexico in giant factorys to ship here, even made by some of your neighbors putting you and your family at risk of exposure to toxic gasses if unlucky enough to be down wind. Even super cheap houses could have been used as a factory, the seller knows this thats why it’s super cheap, and anything short of completly gutting and remodeling could put your family at risk of exposure to residue on every interior surface. Nothing wrong with your baby crawling around on carpet and linoleum thats permiated with meth, right? Please be aware of this growing epidemic.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:58am

    Oh my God………straight and well done.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on November 9, 2011 at 9:55am

    .
    That is some bad stuff……………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
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