The image is a piece of anti-drug propaganda focusing on marijuana. It depicts a dramatized scene meant to elicit an emotional response about drug use and its potential consequences. A woman, presumably playing the role of a mother, is seen in a state of distress, leaning over a young man who appears to be unconscious or possibly dead, lying on the floor with his eyes closed. The setting suggests a domestic interior with a stark, unfurnished backdrop, adding to the grim atmosphere of the scene.
Prominently displayed at the top is the word “MARIJUANA” in bold, attention-grabbing letters, followed by the phrase, “What will your mother say when she finds your corpse?” This message is intended to provoke fear and concern, highlighting the anguish a parent could feel upon discovering their child in such a state, presumably due to drug use.
The presence of a pipe and what may be marijuana on the floor next to the young man further implies that drugs are the cause of his condition. The message attempts to connect marijuana use with extreme consequences, such as death, although such outcomes are not typically associated with marijuana use alone.
The style of the image, including its direct and alarming message, is characteristic of anti-drug campaigns that were particularly prevalent in past decades, where the strategy was often to create shock value rather than provide scientific information about drug effects. It reflects a “scare tactic” approach meant to deter individuals, especially youths, from experimenting with or regularly using marijuana.
The image is indicative of the historical and social attitudes towards drug use, and it represents the kind of messaging used in some public health campaigns to combat the drug problem. However, public opinion and policies regarding marijuana have been changing in many parts of the world, with a shift toward decriminalization, medical use, and in some cases, legalization, accompanied by educational campaigns based on harm reduction rather than fear.