From the MCRFB news archive: 1970
National Coordinating Council on Drug Abuse Education and Information Say Music Reflects Social Contents — Not Behavior
CHICAGO — Radio programmers worried about drug-usage connotations in lyrics and at the same time wondering how to fight the drug problem were told here that music doesn’t create social behavior — it only reflects it. Misinformation about drugs is what radio people has to be concerned about, according to Peter G. Hammond, executive director, National Council on Drug Abuse and Information.
Hammond, addressing the National Association of Broadcasters fall conference, told how his organization can help radio stations provide vital community information on drugs to counteract misinformation, hysteria and panic, “often perpetuated by various agencies.”
The council is providing films to libraries, the IF newsletter and a new drug abuse information service, Grassroots. Hammond noted the council plays on terms used by the drug culture (“grass” being a term used to describe marijuana) and at one point spoke on the “information fix” the council hopes to provide to broadcasters.
Hammond indicated that the music has sometimes become a scapegoat just as common as tension-relief drugs advertised on radio and TV. “You can’t place a complex problem like drugs on any one factor.” By way of illustrating the council’s point, he called attention to the Beatles’ hit recording of, “With A Little Help From My Friends.”
The song, which has been blamed on as promoting drug use, is the theme of a new film now available for public showing that argues for a reevaluation/interpretation of words such as “high” and “friends.” Kemper Insurance and the council worked together to produce the film.
Stations wishing more information can contact or write the council at Suite 212, 1211 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20036. END
(Information and news source: Billboard; November 7, 1970).
