"The mission of the campaign is to raise awareness — to get people talking about how they can be part of the solution and not just the problem," Gov. Kristi Noem said.

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South Dakota on Monday launched an antidrug campaign with the slogan "Meth. We're On It." and it quickly took the internet by storm. The campaign, which includes billboards, TV commercials, and social media, aims to raise awareness about what's become an epidemic in the state. A campaign website also connects people with treatment options. "South Dakota has a problem," said a message on the campaign's website, onmeth.com. "There isn’t a single solution because meth is widespread. But we can approach it from different angles, so it doesn’t take over counties, towns, neighborhoods. Let’s work together. Meth. We’re on it." A video for the campaign features a diverse group of South Dakotans saying, "I'm on meth."

State records show the government paid $448,914 to Minneapolis-based ad agency Broadhead Co. for meth prevention. "The campaign is inclusive and empowering and establishes a movement for all South Dakotans to take an active role in keeping our state a great place to live,” Laurie Gill, head of the state's Department of Social Services, said in a statement. "We’re encouraging everyone to work together to eliminate meth."

The problem is a serious one: The vast majority of drug cases in the state court system are related to meth, officials said, and 12-to 17-year-olds in South Dakota report using meth at twice the rate of the national average. But some people just couldn't get past the slogan.

Intern: “here’s that ad campaign you wanted.” Noem: “the one that says we’re on top of the meth problem?” Intern: “ah”

I know it's not funny, but I can't stop laughing at this. Okay, it's a little funny. Editors, people: hire them. https://t.co/zpYCouWlYt

The state of South Dakota spent $500k on an ad campaign to let everyone know we’re on meth

Hey @govkristinoem I’m an advertising major with better ideas than this. HMU https://t.co/bxdQEZueEg

One person pointed out the new slogan is trademarked.

I mean...did the state of South Dakota need to trademark "Meth. We're on it." Like, they thought someone was going to try and steal it? Also, the official hashtags are cumbersome. #MethWeAreOnIt #ButNotLikeOnItOnIt #MoreLikeGonnaDoSomethingAboutItOnIt #GetIt #HiFromSD

And another added it was part of a history of head-scratching ad campaigns in South Dakota.

South Dakota ad campaigns remain untouchable

But all the attention was part of the point, Gov. Kristi Noem said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. "The mission of the campaign is to raise awareness — to get people talking about how they can be part of the solution and not just the problem," she said. "It is working."



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