Essay Example on Drug Use: Risky Behavior and Its Causes

Drug and substance use is a risky behavior, considering its adversity if abused regularly. To some, drug and substance use begins as an experimental use of a recreational drug, especially in social situations, while to others, it results from exposure to persons using the drug (Degenhardt & Hall, 2012). In other terms, drug use is considered individualistic, which implies that different individuals get involved in drug use for various reasons (Borsari & Carey, 2006). It is, therefore, important that one considers the health risks and the long term effects of using drugs while avoiding factors that could potentially influence or shape their course of being a drug or alcohol user.

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As stated earlier, the consumption of different drugs has its motivating factor, an issue that has subjected quite a significant number of individuals to addiction and related health and mental disorders. Some of the significant factors that shape a person's course to becoming a drug or alcohol user include peer pressure and the influence of mass media. According to Crawford & Novak (2006), despite the harm and health risk alcohol possess to its users, it remains as a preferred drug for many college undergraduates chiefly because of the prevailing pressure from peers.

Peer pressure is, therefore, one of the significant factors that introduce drug-free college undergraduate to alcohol and other drugs that are consumed for recreational purposes. In other terms, having friends and relatives who continuously use drugs and alcohol could statistically imply that one is likely to use the drug as well (Gosselt et al., 2017). Therefore, it is essential that one and especially those that would wish to quit drug and alcohol use avoid such social groups, which would be a profound way to rebuild and regain their sober life (Nelson & Weichsler, 2000). Usually, avoiding such groups disconnects one from the shared norms and beliefs that, in this case, facilitate the bond between peers and acts as a sense of belonging and identity.

Over the years, the entertainment industry has exponentially grown and continues to be an influential entity in society. The mass media is known to shape a person's perception about different subjects while dictating what is right and wrong in society. Particularly, movies, music, and TV shows are major proponents of defining and influencing the social trends, including what one should wear and drink, among other factors (Diamond et al., 2006). With the rapid growth of the entertainment industry, concerns have risen pertaining to the glorification of licit and illicit consumption of drugs, an aspect that has significantly influenced and introduced people and especially teenagers to drugs and alcohol.

While one is entirely responsible and accountable for their involvement in drug and alcohol use, studies indicate that product placement advertisements form a critical base that significantly introduces quite a large number of youths to drugs (Diamond et al., 2006). The figures of those introduced to drugs and alcohol use continue to increase, considering the changing times and, more importantly, the growth of the entertainment industry (Applequist &Ball, 2018). Therefore, to curb the growing menace, the respective government should regulate and control how drugs and alcohol are advertised and depicted in mass media, including movies, music videos, and TV shows (Hawton, 2001).

The popular culture has been at the forefront of promoting drug and alcohol use amongst the youths, especially in the United States (Hathaway et al., 2011). The influence is evident in movies and music videos, among other sources. For instance, in Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice, alcohol is highly promoted, considering its central role in the music video. From the video, alcohol is depicted as a recreational drug that brings people, especially youths as expressed, together to have a good time. This is true because from the video Dogg, whose parents had just left to visit a friend, seems bored and opts to invite his friends for a party at his parents' house. His friends come out in large numbers and drink the gin while dancing along to some music. This is an influential music video that could potentially introduce youths to drug and alcohol use. This is because the video portrays alcohol as harmless and as a drink that brings friends together for a good time. The depicted perception about alcohol would prompt youths always to take drugs and, in this case, alcohol when they need to have a good time in their respective social groups.

Eddie Griffin is a renowned United States stand-up comedian. Other than his rib-cracking jokes, Griffin is also known for his stage presence that entails smoking and, at times, drinking while live on set. In his shows, thousands of people turn up to share the moments, which implies that Griffin is not only an accredited rib cracker but also an influential person in the entertainment industry. Considering his influential nature and drug use behaviors, Griffin could potentially influence his peers to use marijuana and alcohol as recreational drugs. The influence could be further facilitated by his success, which in this case could be wrongly interpreted to mean that his drugs of choice do not have effects. In other terms, those who look up on Griffin would be inclined to use drugs and alcohol, considering his achievements and, more importantly, because it seems cool to smoke and drink.

References

Applequist, J., & Ball, J. (2018). An Updated Analysis of Direct-to-Consumer Television Advertisements for Prescription Drugs. The Annals Of Family Medicine, 16(3), 211-216. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.2220

Borsari, B., & Carey, K. (2006). How the quality of peer relationships influences college alcohol use. Drug And Alcohol Review, 25(4), 361-370. https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230600741339

Crawford, L., & Novak, K. (2006). Alcohol abuse as a rite of passage: The effect of beliefs about alcohol and the college experience on undergraduates' drinking behaviors. Journal Of Drug Education, 36(3). Retrieved 10 April 2020, from.

Degenhardt, L., & Hall, W. (2012). Extent of illicit drug use and dependence, and their contribution to the global burden of disease Louisa Degenhardt, [Ebook]. Retrieved 10 April 2020, from.

Diamond, S., Bermudez, R., & Schensul, J. (2006). What's the Rap About Ecstasy?. Journal Of Adolescent Research, 21(3), 269-298. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558406287398

Gosselt, J., Van Hoof, J., & Kokkeler, L. (2017). The framing of alcohol in (non-)sponsored movies: A comparative content analysis of alcohol advertising and portrayals in sponsored and non-sponsored Dutch movies. Drugs: Education, Prevention And Policy, 25(5), 365-375. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2017.1296932

Hathaway, A., Comeau, N., & Erickson, P. (2011). Cannabis normalization and stigma: Contemporary practices of moral regulation. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 11(5), 451-469. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895811415345

Hawdon, J. (2001). the role of presidential rhetoric in the creation of a moral panic: reagan, bush, and the war on drugs. Deviant Behavior, 22(5), 419-445. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620152472813

Miller, B., Stogner, J., Agnich, L., Sanders, A., Bacot, J., & Felix, S. (2014). Marketing a Panic: Media Coverage of Novel Psychoactive Drugs (NPDs) and its Relationship with Legal Changes. American Journal Of Criminal Justice, 40(3), 523-541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12103-014-9270-6

Nelson, T., & Wechsler, H. (2000). Alcohol and college athletes. Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise. Retrieved 10 April 2020, from.