The ‘don’t do drugs’ message is one that society’s been keen to hammer home to kids for decades – and, let’s face it, it’s no easy task.
From songs to TV shows, merchandise to educational sessions, the message has been shared with generations of kids around the world.
Some methods have proven more successful than others, however.
Back in the late 90s, a US-based company – the Bureau For At Risk Youth – launched an initiative that saw pencils bearing the slogan ‘Too Cool To Do Drugs’ distributed to schools in the States.
Very soon, however, those pencils needed sharpening. And, as the message had been printed so a person holding it in their right hand could read it, they soon gave some very different advice to that which was intended.
Cool to do drugs.
Do drugs.
Drugs.
Once the mistake had been spotted by a 10-year-old, the pencils were quickly recalled and replacements were issued.
This time, with the slogan printed in the opposite direction to avoid the awkward phrasing.