Wednesday’s episode of NBC’s The Carmichael Show, “Intervention,” ended with the star of the show giving a PSA encouraging people to “use substances, don’t abuse substances,” then lighting up a blunt.
The episode explores the various ways the characters deal with stress: Nekeisha (Tiffany Hadish) drinks, Maxine (Amber Stevens West) takes Xanax, and Jerrod Carmichael smokes weed. During the episode, Maxine justifies her use of Xanax by arguing, “Hey, hey, the world is stressful. And I think it's okay that I need something to help me deal with that stress.”
At the end of the episode, Jerrod appears for one of NBC's signature "The More You Know" public service announcements, but instead of encouraging people to "just say no," he says people should “just say when” to drugs. He tells people to use substances to “be creative.” He even encourages drug use and experimentation because, “the more you know yourself, the more you know your limits.”
Jerrod: Hey, friends. When it comes to drugs and alcohol, there are three words that could save your life: ‘Just say when.’ Knowing your limits is an important part of being an adult. You want to do just enough to have fun at a party or be creative. But too much can send you down the wrong path. Use substances, don't abuse substances. 'Cause the more you know yourself, the more you know your limits.
There’s no denying this PSA normalizes and encourages drug use, especially following an episode that insists people need substances to deal with stress. This is completely irresponsible and it is shocking that NBC would put its seal of approval on a pro-drug message that doesn't even make a distinction between marijuana and heroin.
At a time when drug deaths in America are at an all-time high, NBC has just put itself on record as the network that endorses substance use. The more you know.
