Governor defends new “Meth: We’re On It” campaign
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota’s new anti-meth campaign featuring people of different ages and races saying “Meth. I’m on it” is prompting online guffaws and ridicule.
Gov. Kristi Noem on Monday launched the nearly half-million-dollar campaign to increase awareness of South Dakota’s methamphetamine epidemic. The campaign includes a new TV ad, billboards, posters and a website.
The campaign’s motto is superimposed over the state outline.
One Twitter user posted: “Surprising anti-meth campaign in South Dakota. With the theme ‘Meth. I’m on it,’ what could go wrong?”
Noem says South Dakota’s meth problem is “growing at an alarming rate.” She says the campaign aims to bring awareness to those affected by addiction while connecting community members who want to combat the problem. Noem maintains the campaign is working because people are talking about the problem.
A Minneapolis marketing agency created the campaign. South Dakota’s Department of Social Services paid the agency nearly $449,000 this fall, according to the state’s finances website.