Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jul 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Greg Braxton, Times Staff Writer

GROUP HONORS HOLLYWOOD'S ATTENTION TO DRUG ABUSE

Congressional and political leaders, who often have taken swipes at
Hollywood in recent years for depictions of sex and violence, will see a
more positive side of show business Tuesday as a nonprofit
industry-based organization showcases recent depictions of substance
abuse in movies and television.

The Entertainment Industries Council is hosting a premiere Tuesday for
several legislators of the fifth annual Prism Awards, which honors
Hollywood's contributions "for the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol
use and addiction in film and television." Sponsors of the awards
ceremony, which was taped recently, say the number of submissions this
year demonstrates that Hollywood is taking substance abuse issues
seriously.

"There's been a coming of age in Hollywood," said Brian Dyak, president
and chief executive of the council, which was founded by the
entertainment industry to provide information, awareness and
understanding of major public health and social issues within Hollywood
and with audiences. "Twenty years ago, we were all seeing a
glamorization of drugs like in Cheech & Chong's 'Up In Smoke,' " Dyak
said. Now we're seeing films like 'Traffic,' which probably would not
have been made 20 years ago. Hollywood has clearly begun to take its
responsibility seriously. The creative side is seeing that the issue can
make for good comedy and good drama. The reality of the damage that
addiction can do, and the hope that recovery provides, opens up a number
of creative possibilities."

He added, "I believe there's added consciousness because so many lives
have been touched by this." Dyak said submissions for award
consideration were up 57% from last year.

Politicians will be able to see a tape of the ceremony Tuesday at the
Hart Senate Office Building at the Central Hearing Facility in
Washington, D.C. The honors will be broadcast on KTLA Channel 5 at 4
p.m. Aug. 19.

NBC received the Larry Stewart Leadership and Inspiration Award for
being "an encouraging model to the entertainment industry in the
accurate depiction of addiction," award sponsors said.
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