Skip Navigation Bar

Digital Gallery

Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics, and Culture

America Responds to AIDS

Open Description

To view the theme description, please enable JavaScript on your browser.

If you’re playing with drugs—you could be playing with your life, 1980s

  • Publisher(s):
    Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Type:
    Poster
Black and white image of African American young man sitting balancing a basketball on his knee to the left of text.

Aimed at a variety of audiences, these posters attempted to call attention to the inherent risk posed by drug use even though the copy provided no details about the danger. While one poster targeted men directly and the other used women as a way to reach men, each used a similar message and lack of instruction.

Choose from the group
  • Red tinted photograph of a white woman kneeling with an arm around a white boy on either side of her, all three are looking at the viewer.
  • Black and white image of African American young man sitting balancing a basketball on his knee to the left of text.
  • Black and white photograph of an African American woman sitting down holding a coffee cup looking at the viewer
  • Black and white photograph of two people holding hands, only the forearms are evident.
  • Enlarge Document
  • Read Transcription

    If you’re Playing With Drugs…You Could Be Playing With Your Life.

    Don’t get AIDS. Get the facts.

    1-800-235-2331. Massachusetts Department of Public Health. America Responds to AIDS.

Explore