"The Dior ad campaign for its new "Addict" line of fragrance, lipstick and nail polish shows a complete disregard for the millions of people who suffer from the disease of addiction and their families," said Ramstad, who said the campaign is "the ultimate in corporate irresponsibility."

The website for Dior Addict flashes the word "addiction" with terms like "pleasure" and "sensuality." Ramstad detailed a video promotion for the fragrance that shows a bikini-clad model dipping her finger into a substance on a mirror and holding it up to her nose, then grabbing a bottle of Addict perfume while a voice whispers "addict" and "Will you admit it?"

"Dior's abuses trivialize America's No. 1 public-health problem -- alcohol and other drug addiction," Ramstad said.

Ramstad described the Dior ads as a multimillion-dollar campaign to glamorize addiction, which he said would undermine efforts to keep kids off drugs. He called on the leadership in Congress to condemn the campaign and put pressure on Dior and the media outlets that run the Addict ads.

"We need a tremendous public outcry against Dior's campaign to glamorize the disease of addiction -- the same public outcry that would result if Dior tried to glamorize other deadly diseases like cancer or AIDS," said Ramstad. "We need to put public pressure on Dior to pull the "Addict" campaign and rename the product."

Ramstad is in recovery from addiction and is a leading advocate for alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention issues in Congress.

In Detroit, Mich., a group of recovery advocates organized a media event to protest the Dior Addict campaign. During the Partnership for a Drug-Free Detroit event, two people in recovery were interviewed by local TV stations. Subsequently, the Detroit City Council voted to condemn the Dior campaign.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Submissions are held for review and approval.
Please read the guidelines before posting.

Name:
Comment: (limit 250 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

Guidelines for comments