IT'S FASHIONABLE TO BE ON A HIGH

The 1970s music scene fairly reeked with big guitars, even bigger hair,
giggling groupies and casual drug use.

During the 1980s, there was a strong belief that the destruction of the
mind and body through deliberate drug use for non-medical purposes was
wrong. That is no longer the case and drug abuse appears to be almost
normal, sometimes even fashionable in the city too.

Popular music is one of the key influences on young people. Paul McCartney
is quoted to having said that marijuana was the impetus for the creative
force behind the Beatles' album "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Back home, ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh may not be into drugs but he always
has his glass of whiskey to get him into the mood when he sings.

Many films show drug addicts as heroes and drug abuse has also been
depicted as normal in several situational comedies on television.

"If you have ever associated with musicians, rock or pop, you would
immediately know how important it is to get to a stage where all that
matters is the music," says a BA II student of Government College , Sector 11.

His friend from DAV makes affirmative noises. "Drug use is no longer about
being into music, everyone does it, including girls. It's very common to
smoke pot at parties and get-togethers and you can immediately spot the
group who are doing it," he says.

Dr Rajesh Gill, Reader, Sociology department, Panjab University , explains.
"What started out as an influence from the Western rock culture has now
gone beyond that. Acute peer pressure, lack of ability to say no, and a
communication gap between parents and children have become the major
reasons of increasing drug abuse in the city as well as the country. Add to
that musicians justifying the use of drugs, the youth is easily
manipulated," she states.

Doping... On Song

Famous rock stars have paid a price for their drug use. Among those the
abuse perished are Elvis Presley, Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison of The Doors,
Janice Joplin, Brian Jones, Rolling Stones, Dennis Wilson, Beach Boys, Bon
Scott, AC/DC, Frankie Lymon and several others.

In spite of that, drugs still play a prominent role in rock music and this
seems to have a harmful effect on many who listen. As reported in Life
magazine (October 3, 1969), Jimmy Hendrix, whose basic philosophy was one
of unbridled sex and drug use, commented, "You can hypnotise people with
music and when you get them at their weakest point, you can preach into the
subconscious what you want to say."

In India too singers and artistes being on a high is common veiled news.
Closer home, the recent death of a Punjabi folk singer also brought the 'D'
factor into question. Though not a direct cause its alleged use by him goes
to show how drug abuse has spread in the country's arty society.