Wasted?+So+is+your+life.

‘Wasted? So is your life.’ Mary Smareglia N8799482 Michelle Cornford

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Cultural Artefact

This artefact represents how popular culture and even celebrities frequently desensitize the seriousness of illicit drug use. The popular band ‘MGMT’ has made several hits and is well known for the song, ‘Time to Pretend.’ In this song, the lead singer makes several references to illicit drugs, mentioning he’s in, “the prime of his life”, and would like to “shoot some heroin.” Songs of this nature continue to ‘normalize’ drug use. The film clip features an array of psychedelic imagery, portraying drug use as a euphoric experience. The following is a snippet of lyrics from the song,

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life. Let's make some music, make some money, find some models for wives. I'll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, and f*** with the stars. You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars. This is our decision, to live fast and die young. We've got the vision, now let's have some fun. Yeah, it's overwhelming, but what else can we do? Get jobs in offices, and wake up for the morning commute? The Public Health Issue

There is a substantial amount of illicit drug use featured in music, and media. This is continually growing, particularly amongst popular artists. Big ticket celebrities often feature drug use in their music videos as it seems to portray a fun and fashionable experience. This is becoming a major public health issue as pop music is targeted to a younger audience. Some drug awareness and education protocols are in place, however, often teenagers are receiving a contradictory message in popular media and music. This wiki will look at demographics of drug users, the influence of media on these demographics, the social theories associated with the desire to use drugs and the importance of forming an understanding of the seriousness of this issue.

Literature Review

According to the Queensland Government, licit and illicit drug use in Queensland accounts for an estimated 4,300 deaths and over 55,000 hospital admissions each year. (Australian Government, 2011a). Licit drugs are legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco, whilst illicit drugs include cannabis, opiates, certain types of stimulants and even the use of pharmaceutical drugs such as pain killers or tranquilizers for a non medical purpose. According to the National Drug Strategy Survey, conducted in 2011, approximately 7.3 million Australians reported that they had ever taken an illicit drug (Australian Government, 2011b). Recent illicit drug use was highest among the 20-29 year age group, whilst cannabis continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug (Australian Government, 2011b). Fifteen percent of students under the age of 17 had ever used Cannabis (Australian Government, 2012). The proportion of students using cannabis significantly increases with age. One percent of students 12 years of age had used cannabis, to 13 percent of 17 year-olds (Australian Government, 2012). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that the cost of illicit drug use was estimated at $8.2 billion in Australia from 2004-05. This includes costs related to crime, lost of productivity and to the health care system (AIHW, 2011). The AIHW also found that males are much more likely than females to use any drug, whilst subpopulations such as the unemployed, never been married and homosexual/bisexual have a high proportion of drug use. Mental illness and high psychological stress continues to be highest among users of illicit drugs, particularly methampehetamines, ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine (AIHW, 2011). Two percent of Australia’s total burden of disease was related to illicit drug use in 2003. Most of which was caused by injecting risky needles causing Hepatitis C (AIHW, 2011). Other negative health effects of illicit drug use can include:
 * Confusion
 * Anxiety
 * Paranoia
 * Panic Attacks
 * Nausea
 * Shaking
 * Schizophrenic and psychotic behaviour
 * Hostile and aggressive behaviour
 * Violence, often for no apparent reason
 * Periods of severe mental and emotional disturbance, and possible permanent mental illness
 * Potentially permanent damage to brain, liver, kidneys and heart.

//What is being done?// The National Drug Strategy was created in 1985 and aims at preventing the uptake of harmful drug use in Australia (AIHW, 2011). As part of the National Drug Strategy, the Australian Government has implemented a National Drug Campaign. This is aimed specifically at reducing young Australians motivation to use illicit drugs. This is done through advertising, public relations and promotions to increase knowledge about the negative consequences of drug use (Department of Health and Ageing, 2013).

//What does the media do?// The detrimental effects of illicit drug abuse is well documented. However, the reoccurrence of drug use in popular media is a growing problem. F. Earle Barcus defines Mass media as “all pervasive cultural institutions which both reflect and project society’s values” (Earle Barcus, 1975). Mass media and popular music can accelerate social change. Roberts et al. found that listening to music was the favourite past time of teenagers (Roberts et al., 1999). Even more so now due to the dominating internet and iPod age. An article by Diamond et al. focuses on the club drug ecstasy in American rap music and its relationship with changing trends in ecstasy use. Diamond also made reference to Snoop Dogg’s song about “Gin and Juice”, sales for cocktail drinks increased in the popular hip-hop party culture (Diamond et al., 2006). This is a good example of the influence of popular music on trends in society. Kellner (1995, p. 1) explains “The media contribute to educating us how to behave and what to think, feel, believe, fear and desire - and what not to.” Often, the public will unknowingly be influenced by what they see on television or hear in music. A study by Wingood et al. supports this statement as it was found that young urban American women who watched rap videos regularly were 1.5 times more likely to use illicit drugs and alcohol then their peers. It was also found that there are correlation's between “deviant” music such as heavy metal and rock, and anti-social behaviors and attitudes (Wingood et al., 2003).

The media and popular music has a massive influential power on society, and one would find it very difficult to argue against this. The idea that a popular music culture could influence the desire to partake in illicit drugs is controversial, however, quite clear. It’s also important to note that there are a number of other factors that contribute to reasonings behind substance use, in particular, socio-economic status and peer pressure. It is of dire importance to form a deep understanding of these factors to truly combat illicit drug abuse.

Cultural and social analysis

The desire to experiment with illicit substances can be complex. Sociological theory understands that substance abuse has largely cultural, social and economic beginnings. They’re often not biological or genetically linked to an individual, however, consist of external factors. The social conflict theory is derived from Marxism and argues that society is based on groups that form social classes with differing amounts of wealth, and that conflict occurs from wealth inequities. This is an important theory to consider when questioning the motives of drug users, as socio-economic status continues to influence patterns of illicit drug use. Social control theory can be used in relation to drug use and deviant behaviour. It is argued that individuals do not deviate from the law because of strong beliefs and bonds with conventional social structures learnt from a young age. Individuals who do deviate from the law and partake in criminal acts have not conformed to these moral and social structures, therefore feel free to release from society’s rules (Wiatrowski et al., 1981). Another important factor to consider is the influence of peers within a teenagers life. Adolescence is viewed as a period of transition where a number of developmental situations present themselves. Youth culture and social pressures can be a major contributor to drug use. However, adolescents are not the only group associated with drug use. As mentioned earlier, the unemployed, never been married and homosexual and bisexual groups are also more likely to be involved with drug use. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also reported a much higher rate of cannabis use (National Drug and Research Centre, 2007).

It is clear that drug use is a complex and serious issue which can affect a large number of social and cultural groups. To truly understand the life of a user, one must look to their availability of resources, access to welfare and medical services. As well as substance education, health awareness and influence of popular media. By understanding these factors and that economic and social inequities can shape risk behaviour and illicit drug use, solutions can be focussed on these external influences instead of solely on the individuals themselves. It’s vital to promote awareness about the negative effects of drug use, youth culture and influence of media, and to continuously review the syllabus to educate the adolescent age groups in stimulating critical thinking about how we are unknowingly affected by societal norms and media.



Analysis of artefact

The artefact is a good representation of how youth culture has normalised drug use and labelled it as an enjoyable and fashionable experience. All you have to do is read the countless explicit comments on the youtube feed to understand the general feelings of youths towards drug use. When choosing an artefact, this song came to mind as I do genuinely enjoy the song. However, after properly listening to the lyrics, it was confronting when I realised just what I’d been singing along to this whole time. Now that I’m aware of it, I’ve quite often made the same realisation when listening to other song lyrics. This has proven to me that the influence of popular music and media is very prominent. Although the song makes several references to drug use, one particular line says “Yeah, it’s overwhelming, but what else can we do?”... I think this is a thought provoking lyric as it shows some insight into the viscous cycle of drug use, and that perhaps users really do feel that there is no other option. Throughout my literature review and cultural and social analysis I have developed a fundamental understanding of the complex nature of drug addiction and the many factors that contribute to illicit drug use. With the knowledge of the socio-economic inequalities tied with drug abuse I now feel passionate about including this understanding in future work.

References

Australian Government. (2011a). Drug Information. Retrieved from []

Australian Government. (2011b). The National Drug Strategy 2010-2015. Retrieved from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report. Retrieved from []

Diamond, S., Bermudez, R., & Schensul, J. (2006) What's the rap about ecstasy?: Popular music lyrics and drug trends among american youth. //Journal of Adolescent Research, 21//(3), 269-298. doi:10.1177/0743558406287398

Department of Health and Ageing. (2012). Australian secondary school students’ use of tobacco, alcohol, and over-the- counter and illicit substances in 2011. Retrieved from [] Department of Health and Ageing. (2013). National Drugs Campaign. Retrieved from []

Earle Barcus, F., Jankowski, S M. Drugs and the mass media. (1975). //The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 417//(1), 86-100. doi:10.1177/000271627541700109

Kellner, D. (1995). //Media culture: Cultural studies, identity, and politics between the modern and the postmodern//. New York: Routledge.

National Drug and Research Centre. (2007) Illicit drug use in Australia: Epidemiology, use patterns and associated harm. (2nd Edition)Retrieved from []

Roberts, D. F., Henriksen, L., Christenson, P. G., Kelly, M., Carbone, S., & Wilson, A. B. (1999). //Substance use in popular movies and music//. Department of Health and Human Services and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Rockville, MD: ONDCP, U.S.

Wiatrowski, M. D., Griswold, D. B., & Roberts, M. K. (1981). Social control theory and delinquency. //American Sociological Review, 46//(5), 525-541

Wingood, G. M., DiClemente, R. J., Bernhardt, J. M., Harrington, K., Davies, S. L., Robillard, A., et al. (2003). A prospective study of exposure to rap music videos and African American female adolescents’ health. //American Journal of Public Health//, //93//(3), 437-439.


 * Reflections **

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