Darren Aronofsky directs terrifying anti-meth PSAs

By: Ryan Jaslow
Topics: News ,; Celebrity

(CBS) Academy Award winner Darren Aronofsky, is known for directing such critically acclaimed films as"Black Swan" and "The Wrestler." Now he's turned his lense towards helping The Meth Project - a national campaign that spreads awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine use.

The Meth Project unveiled Tuesday four shocking public service announcements directed by Aronofsky, depicting terrifying scenes of meth users in bad situations.

The shocking PSA's might be needed now more than ever. The U.S. Department of Justice says meth is at its highest levels of availability, purity, and also its lowest cost in years, according to a written statement.

Some Aronofsky fans might remember that the acclaimed director is no stranger to tackling drug abuse. His 2000 film, "Requiem for a Dream, "graphically depicted heroin and weight-loss amphetamine addiction.

In one particularly chilling PSA, called "Deep End" (seen above), a woman is seen staring into a mirror asking herself, "If I had asked what does meth do to your brain? Does meth make you hear voices?"

When the camera pans out, the scene explodes into a frantic display as the woman's mother tries to stop bleeding from cuts on her wrists.

What do you think of the new ads? Keep clicking below to see the other three...

Desperate

Losing Control

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by trashman42 November 11, 2011 10:43 AM EST: These ads have been a long time coming. I have seen too many friends and family ruin their lives over the years. The government should make it a death penalty case for individuals for making and selling any kind of illegal drugs. That is what some other nations have done and somewhat brought it under control. It would also cut back on our national debt, because we wouldn't be wasting taxpayer money on trying to rehabilitate individuals that were too stupid to just say no. Our own government statistics have shown that rehabilitation is a failure.; Reply to this comment


by DiEx80 November 11, 2011 9:17 AM EST: Every time the Meth Project makes new videos or says they are a success, I want to reply to them with this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1mvN6lU0oU

This "project" is a waste of time and resources. They have made countless claims that the ads work, but they got disproved. Most of the decline they claim has been due to increased efforts of law enforcement and citizens.

Anti-Drug ads, no matter who directs them or how shocking they are fall on deaf ears. Still, way to go Meth Project: KFC as you make fraudulent claims and fill the air waves with more useless ads!; Reply to this comment


by RoboSlater November 10, 2011 7:02 AM EST: The PSAs are probably not worthless. However, these come off more like mini-playlets but they don't address cause, they only depict a possible effect. You're more likely to think, "How did they get the camera to do that?" or "How did they rehearse it" or "She's a fine actress" than "OMG, that's real and will happen to me if I try it." The show "Cops" was more effective by showing actual paint sniffers and meth addicts in full-blown distress being arrested or resuscitated or trying to answer simple questions. Showing real meth addicts in wihdrawal beats actors anyday. Better yet, physically taking potential addicts to personally observe real addicts withdrawing in an asylum might more effectively "scare them straight". I disagree with pd417 about decriminalizing drugs: first, taking government out of the drug policing business is more a libertarian position, not so much a liberal one, and great conservative thinkers like Thomas Sowell and Milton Friedman advocate their decriminalization. Decriminalized drugs are likely to be less dangerous and the money for jailing can be directed towards education (even PSA's) and recovery. Studies show a slight rise in use of a decriminalized drug for a very short period then the rate of use drops once the thrill of acting on a taboo disappears.; Reply to this comment


by pd417 November 10, 2011 12:19 AM EST: Every 'tween, young adult and adult needs to see these PSA's. They are gritty, shocking and in your face realistic. They depict the real horrors of meth and what it does. For all you liberals who want dope legalized, watch these, they will make you sick and rightly so. I've seen in real life what this miserable drug does to people and Darren Aronofsky got it right. Hopefully, it will shock enough people to stay away from this life killer.; Reply to this comment