Rhetoric in the War on Drugs: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Public Relations

(Hardback)

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While much has been written on illicit drug use, policy, and drugs' relationship to crime, this study examines the drug war as most Americans have experienced it--through mass-mediated rhetoric: presidential drug war declarations, news stories and hype, public service announcements, and the like. Such rhetoric influences public opinion about illegal drugs, drug users, presidents, and the drug war itself. And according to this author, such rhetoric is also used as a public relations campaign designed to increase the popularity of government officials and to assure quiescence regarding particular policy programs. This study demonstrates the underestimated influence of rhetoric, political uses of public relations and the powerful influence they have on public opinion and the policy process.

Reviews

Elwood appeals to the communication reader with his critical analysis of rhetoric and public relations as they have been used in the drug war. Members of other disciplines will find this book equally enlightening as rhetoric affects us all.-Public Relations Review
"Elwood appeals to the communication reader with his critical analysis of rhetoric and public relations as they have been used in the drug war. Members of other disciplines will find this book equally enlightening as rhetoric affects us all."-Public Relations Review

Author Bio

WILLIAM N. ELWOOD is Senior Research Scientist at NOVA Research Conmpany and Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Texas/Houston School of Public Health.