Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005
Source: Brock Press, The (CN ON Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Brock Press.
Contact: http://www.brockpress.com/main.cfm?include=submit
Website: http://www.brockpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2865
Author: Shaan Singha
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

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.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom