"Above the Influence" public service ads are meant to make young people, mainly high-school-age individuals, think about what they are doing when they take drugs or drink alcohol. The title says it all: rather than being "under the influence" of mind altering or mood changing chemicals, one should fight the temptations of one's in-group and of one's own body and be a real, free individual, unencumbered by dependency.
The particular ad that features the leeches is another excellent example of the ads as a whole. The production values are top-notch and yet simple and straight forward. The message in this one is hard to miss, slyly presented as it may be. Students (actors who are age-appropriate and believable) are engaged in a completely disgusting and bizarre activity, yet they are all drawn to it and ingnorant of its inherent repulsiveness. And they look upon it as completely normal and cool. Just like drug use in school, the authorities are at a loss to explain or control the scourge of this latest dangerous and self-debasing fad.
The message is clear and overwhelming: stop being so stupid and do something productive and good with this one life that is yours and yours alone.
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