Home Blog Cocaine Rehab How Mighty Mouse Created A Cocaine-Infested Upheaval

How Mighty Mouse Created A Cocaine-Infested Upheaval


Anyone who grew up during the 50s and 60s, or is just a fan of nostalgia, probably grew up watching the cartoon series Mighty Mouse. With one glance, you can quickly see why. With his adorable little red and yellow costume and his happy-go-lucky confidence, the super-strong little rodent was cute enough for kids and outgoing for adults. Plus, you can’t get his theme song out of your head if you try. However, did you know there was a time when Mighty Mouse was at the center of a major controversy about drugs? In fact, you could call it an all-out war between a cartoon rodent and parents. Let’s take a closer look at how Mighty Mouse created a cocaine-infested upheaval.

A Different Type of Drug Reference

Honestly, if we were to compile a list of all the drug-related references in kid’s shows, we would be here all day. From cigarettes in classic Disney cartoons to actual drinking in Saturday morning shows, kids have been exposed to some gutsy material, but all for the purpose of comedy. According to some reports, though, Mighty Mouse made one mistake: showcasing actual addiction. Or did they?)

According to the original report from 1988, CBS ran an episode of the rebooted cartoon which featured our hero crumbling a flower before snorting the powder. As you would expect, the episode was taken off the air, and Mighty Mouse became the poster child for an anti-drug campaign.

No Cocaine Here, Says Bakshi

So did our little hero actually snort cocaine?

According to Ralph Bakshi, the creator of the reboot, Mighty Mouse never snorted cocaine and would have never done this on a children’s program. If that’s the case, though, what actually happened to get parents all riled up?

As Bakshi puts it, Mighty Mouse had saved a little girl who was selling flowers. While he is thinking about her, he inadvertently crushes the flower and “smells” it, accidentally snorting it up his nose. In retaliation, Bakshi retorted that parent groups could have easily pointed fingers at Tinker Bell’s pixie dust or Popeye’s spinach as drugs.

Honestly, we can understand why the iconic animator is upset.

Seeking Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Over the course of many decades, cocaine has risen from the ranks of an over-the-counter stimulant to one of the most feared and destructive substances on the planet. Ultimately, this substance can destroy a person’s brain and body and trigger a severe form of addiction. However, as with any sickness, you can easily find a way to cope with your symptoms. Although addiction has no known cure, you can still stay strong and get clean, if you know where to find the right resources.




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