Analysis of Leaflets: The Score and Drugs the Facts

Analysis of Leaflets: The Score and Drugs the Facts

The leaflets 'The Score' and 'Drugs the Facts' both use the same genre

as a teen magazine would, although they have subverted all the generic

conventions so that they are in some way associated with drugs. Many

effects are designed to achieve a subconscious response. As the reader

registers them subliminally this is very effective.

The overt purpose of both leaflets is to try and give accurate

information about drug use and try to prevent it. 'Drugs the Facts'

has a target audience of around 11-14. The institutional belief held

behind the writers about this demographic audience is that they do not

exploit drug use, and this topic is new to them. Therefore they have

produced this leaflet that it advises children to stay away from drugs

and never come into contact with them. 'The Score' is for a more

sophisticated audience (14-18), and is designed to alert drug users of

the peril they could be in when they take drugs. It is also intended

to eliminate fallacy and make adolescents thinking of using, or

already using, drugs more aware of the risks. Both leaflets have the

generic features of commercial magazines. These magazines present

themselves as your friends, so you feel reassured and that your

thoughts are valid.

'Drugs the Facts' and 'The Score' use a dark purple background. The

connotations of the colour purple are wealth, intelligence, and

sophistication; all the things growing teenagers aspire to being.

These leaflets are supposed to be a source of intelligence for anybody

reading them, so that could be why their covers are purple. The eye on

the cover and contents of 'Dr...

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...n part of which is a

driving social life. In this leaflet it is acknowledged that older

teenagers already have an opinion along with experience of drugs.

Consequently the facts are laid out for them and they are left to make

their own final decision. This idea in theory is brilliant and has

clearly been carefully planned. The institution realises their target

audience are mature enough to make their own decisions and I feel the

stereotypical teenager will take advantage of such trust. The

stereotypical teenager is argumentative and experimental with their

lives based around socializing so I don't think enough will make the

'right' promoted decision, leading a drugs free lifestyle. Because of

this, in some cases this leaflet may not be very successful and

effective the leaflet will be seen as "just yet another leaflet".