Hollywood's Representation of Drug Using a Look Into
and Reflection on The Americana Citizens
KSU – College of Languages & Translation
Dec,2017
Authors Note
This paper was prepared for scientific Research Methodology (244LINE),Group2,
Taught by prof. Dr. Hassna Alfayez
Introduction
A. Background of the Study
It is important to educate teens on the differences between the reality of substance abuse and the media’s portrayal of it. Popular media rarely depicts the repercussions of substance abuse, including the negative effects it has on an individual’s health and the increased risk of accidents that occur under the influence. While it is nearly impossible to remove the influence of mainstream media, Its influence can be lessened through education.(pozniakfirst,A.para.3)"A recent survey conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America television, 40 percent of teens in 2000 said programs make drugs seem OK, down from 44 percent in 1997. "
Films are a major part of teenage life and culture. From going to the cinema with a group of friends and family to sitting at home in front of a tv or laptop, Teenagers have made cinema a major part of their lives. Because of the amount of consumption of film-based medi Just because a teen is smart, Does not mean that he is mature enough to have sound judgment about his decisions. The part of your brain that is responsible for judgment, that is the prefrontal cortex, Doesn’t fully mature until mid-20s.
The depiction of drug use and drug addiction was very uncommon in the early days of film and it was much more common to Notes alcohol on films rather than drugs. How counterculture and the use of counterculture in films really was a stepping stone for film makers to go against the standard of society and produce films may evoke drug use and or substance abuse. This is why drug films Draw attention in the 1960’s and the 1970’and started to become more and more common. A Propaganda is information that is not objective and is used primarily to influence an audience and further an agenda, Often by presenting facts selectively to encourage a particular synthesis or perception or using loaded language to produce an emotional rather than a rational response to the information that is presented
The first globally known figure to abuse the drug, London’s consulting detective, Sherlock Holmes . Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective Which created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. consulting detective in the stories, Holmes is Famous for his proficiency with observation, Forensic science, and logical reasoning Which borders on the fantastic, that he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, Including Scotland Yard. Holmes sometimes uses addictive drugs, Especially in the absence of stimulating cases. He uses cocaine, which he injects in a seven-percent solution with a syringe kept in a Morocco leather case. Although Holmes also dabbles in morphine, He facing a strong disapproval when he visits an opium den; Both drugs were legal in late-19th-century England. Watson and Holmes use tobacco, Smoking cigarettes, Cigars, and pipes, Sherlock is an expert at identifying tobacco-ash residue. Why does a smart and rational being like him use a substance that definitely harms his body , Its deliver the message that drugs is smart thing to do and Recommend it .
Limitless An action-thriller movie about a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As one man Become the perfect version of himself, Forces more corrupt than he can imagine mark him for assassination. non-working writer Eddie Morra's rejection by family confirms his belief that he has no future. That all fade the day an old friend introduces him to NZT, A designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, Everything Eddie's heard, Read or seen is instantly organized and available to him. like the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, He draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), Who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to gain billions . In this Case the movie made drugs looks like NZT is the very definition of a wonder drug: It gives the user access to every part of his brain, Including long-forgotten memories, Obscure facts he learned 15 years ago in college, and even everything he's ever heard The ability to Learn fast Play Piano Speak French in one day ,Particularly the idea of being able to obtain enhanced mental abilities-in essence, a superpower-and its consequences . in this move it present drugs as Solution and a key of success
Lucy is Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller movie come out 2014 in USA the story begin with the main character Lucy It was supposed to be a simple job. All Lucy had to do was deliver a mysterious briefcase to Mr. Jang. But immediately Lucy is caught up in a nightmarish deal where she is captured and turned into a drug mule for a new and powerful synthetic drug. When the bag she is carrying inside of her stomach leaks, Lucy's body undergoes unimaginable changes that begins to unlock her mind's full potential. With her new-found powers, Lucy turns into a merciless warrior intent on getting back at her captors . The hidden message in movie is more drugs are consumed the more you get to perfection .
House M.D TV series(2004–2012) follows the life of anti-social, pain killer addict, Witty and arrogant medical doctor Gregory House with only half a muscle in his right leg. He and his team of medical doctors try to cure complex and rare diseases from very ill ordinary people in the United States of America.
Reflection of movies in real life
Movies as a medium for mass communication, Have a powerful influence on the public regarding drug use in this previous series and films associate smart characters with using drugs as two sides of the same coin ,We are witnessing a clear change in drug user stereotype. stereotypes are the result of intentional, conscious, and controllable thoughts and beliefs. Explicit stereotypes usually are directed towards a group of people based on what is being perceived from Uneducated poor homeless coming from a certain backgrounds and end up in horrific situations now days Film industry has changed the typical image to become high intelligence, Power, Confidence, Success, Money, Wealth, Violence, etc.,
In a world that demands excellence, Speed and Efficiency, People start looking for unreasonable solutions Start with High school students how want Perfect score in SAT Exam, Programmers in Silicon Valley, Soldiers and Economists in large companies. In recent years the term Nootropic or smart drugs appears as drugs, supplements, and other substances that improve cognitive function, Particularly executive functions, memory, Creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. The use of cognition-enhancing drugs by healthy individuals in the absence of a medical indication is one of the most debated topics among neuroscientists, Psychiatrists, and physicians which spans a number of issues, Including the ethics and fairness of their use, Concerns over adverse effects, and the diversion of prescription drugs for nonmedical uses, Among others .
In this research we are going to discuss a specific type called Modafinil is a prescription medication that promotes wakefulness in adults. This means that modafinil belongs to the eugeroic class of drugs. Modafinil is often used to treat ‘sleepy’ but potentially dangerous conditions like shift work sleep disorder, Narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. However, Modafinil can also be prescribed off label to treat ADHD symptoms. This means that doctors are authorized to prescribe modafinil for ADHD if they feel the need to.
The misleading Promotion of modafinil drug will be the first thing You'll find on the internet With unrealistic expectations like Clear Brain Fog And Stay Sharp All Day Long, Eliminate Distractions With Unbreakable Concentration, Effortlessly Achieve Creative Flow States, Remember More, Forget Less, Increased Motivation That Can’t Be Ignored. It does not remind you with the films mentioned earlier.
some of modafinil’s common side effects Headache, Dizziness, Upper respiratory tract infection, Nausea, Diarrhea, Nervousness, Anxiety, Agitation, Dry mouth and Trouble sleeping (insomnia) .
The Previous examples have parents and anti-drug advocates worried over the array of mixed messages the media are sending. Experts agree that it's not enough to simply teach children about the negative consequences associated with drugs. They need to understand how the media convey information as well, making it harder for the viewer to be manipulated .
References
POZNIAKFIRST, A (n.d). Part 1: Media Portrayal of Drugs. ABCNEWS Retrieved from http: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=116947&page=1