PHOENIX, Arizona, December 22, 2024 - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced plans for a new anti-drug advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the detrimental effects of drug use, particularly focusing on fentanyl. Speaking at a conference in Phoenix, Trump emphasized the campaign's goal is to illustrate how drugs can ruin physical appearance and overall health.
Trump provided limited details about the campaign, which he compared to a political campaign, and indicated that his administration would allocate significant funds, though he described it as a relatively small investment. The initiative draws parallels to the 'Just Say No' campaign led by former First Lady Nancy Reagan in the 1980s.
In addition to the advertising campaign, Trump reiterated his commitment to designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He stated, 'I will immediately designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations,' a pledge he had made during his previous campaign.
While in office, Trump had postponed this designation at the request of Mexico's former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who preferred U.S. cooperation over intervention. Concerns had also been raised by U.S. officials regarding the potential impact on U.S.-Mexico relations and the Mexican government's efforts against drug trafficking.
Trump's election platform promises to direct the Pentagon to employ various tactics, including special operations and cyber warfare, to target cartel leadership and operations.