'Blow' promoters receive criticism

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Small mirrors distributed to promote the Johnny Depp film "Blow" have reflected badly on the drug-trafficker tale. \nCritics snort that the rectangular mirrors promote drug use because dealers stereotypically use the items as cutting boards for cocaine. \nThe souvenir mirrors, contained in a rubber sleeve featuring the "Blow" title, were distributed with invitations to advance screenings of the film, which opened nationally Friday. \nThey also were handed out in bars and outside sporting events, The Orange County Register reported Friday. \nTracy Aaron, 35, of Cypress, Calif., said she was angry that her husband received one of the mirrors after an NCAA playoff game in Anaheim. \n"I was disgusted," she said. "They're passing out drug paraphernalia, basically." \nDebbie Lips, a director for The Hope Institute, a Costa Mesa drug rehabilitation center, said the film promoters are "sending out the wrong message" by giving away such items. \nNew Line Cinema, which is distributing "Blow," said it gave away between 200 and 1,000 of the mirrors. \nThe film is about the collapse of a real-life cocaine empire during the 1970s. The lead character, George Jung, played by Depp, is in a federal prison on various drug charges through 2014. \n"Anyone who sees 'Blow' recognizes that this highly acclaimed film does not promote or glorify the use of drugs," said Steve Elzer, senior vice president of New Line's corporate communications.