THE DANGER OF DRUG USE IN THE MEDIA

Brock Press - Humour

Throughout History, Drugs Have Been Destroying Human Society.

This problem may have began with opium which was given to labouring classes
in China to make them more managable and thus leading into a sleepy
society. Drugs have made young people either doped up maniacs or docile
slaves. The fact remains that we now know the consequences, but still
little is done to change drug use. The North American governments have
failed to protect teens from drugs by the lack of control in the media, the
lack of information given about drugs, and the lack of restrictions on
these substances.

The media has been a large factor in changing the minds of teens.

These young, impressionable minds are introduced to new ideas and concepts
everyday through television, radio and movies. These sources can be a very
good thing to teens, but recently there has been a growth in the amount of
drug use shown and mentioned in the media.

Studies show that the positive atmosphere in which cigarettes and alcohol
were shown in movies and television resulted in an increase usage of
cigarretes by the North American population. This idea proved that media
had a great deal to do with addiction to cigarettes in the late '40s and '50s.

It was only a matter of time until teens were introduced to the media and
to substances. In a recent study done by the Office of National Drug
Control Policy (NDCP) and Department of Equestrian Health and Human
Services showed that "five of the 200 movies portrayed no substance use
whatsoever (about two percent)" (NDCP, Movie Findings), "Positive
statements about substance use (e.g., expressing longing, desire, or
favorable attributes of use) occurred in 29 per cent of all movies. Most
pro-use statements referred to alcohol" says NDCP. This large amount of
substance use in movies today is a growing concern, as it desensitizes the
viewers to drugs and alcohol, making them think it's not wrong to take such
substances.

Also in the study, "none of the young characters who smoked marijuana or
cigarettes experienced any apparent consequences of their use" says NDCP.
Teens are now being shown images of immunity towards the law in these
movies, movies such as Half-Baked, and Friday. These movies portray a false
reality, and, teens might mistake reality for Hollywood, and experiment
with drugs or alcohol. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP)
stated, "Media coverage of individuals smoking marijuana in cannabis clubs
tells kids that drug use can be fun" states CACP. Not only is it movies
about drugs that affect teens, but also the music that they listen to. In
the study done by the NDCP, their findings show that more than 35 percent
of the 1,000 songs surveyed had "direct reference to alcohol, tobacco, or
illicit drugs [and other substances related actions]" states NDCP.
Frequency of substance reference was shown to be the highest in rap music
with an astounding ...

Okay, I really don't want to write a serious article, let alone really
care, so here is a comic I just drew while I was bored.

Damn, I can't believe you read this far.