The Harmful Implications of Entertainment’s Glorification of Drug Use

3 min readMar 5, 2023

Drug use has long been a subject of fascination in the media and entertainment industry. From movies and television shows to music videos and social media, the portrayal of drug use has often been romanticized, sensationalized, and even glorified. This has led to a normalization of drug use in our society, with many young people believing that drugs are a part of the “cool” lifestyle. However, this portrayal of drug use is not only harmful but also dangerous.

One of the most prominent ways in which media and entertainment glorify drug use is through movies and television shows. Many popular movies and TV shows portray drug use as a way to escape from reality or to have fun. Characters are often shown using drugs in glamorous settings, with no apparent negative consequences. This type of portrayal can make drug use seem harmless and even desirable.

Films as recent as this year and as far back as the black-and-white era has contributed to the hype of drug use to not just youth but the general populous.

In addition, music videos have also played a significant role in glorifying drug use. Many music videos feature artists using drugs or promoting drug use. Young people often look up to these artists as role models, and their portrayal of drug use can influence their behavior. Moreover, social media has also played a significant role in glorifying drug use. Many social media influencers promote drug use through their posts and stories, which can normalize and even encourage drug use.

A study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that teenagers who regularly use popular social media outlets were more likely to drink, use drugs, and buy tobacco than adolescents who either did not use social media or used it less frequently. The survey asked 2,000 adolescents about their drug use and social media habits and 70% said that they use social media on any given day.

Researchers found that, compared to nonusers or infrequent users of social media, this group was:

5 times more likely to buy cigarettes.
3 times more likely to drink.

The problem with the glorification of drug use in the media and entertainment industry is that it can lead to a false sense of security. Many young people who use drugs may believe that they are invincible or that the negative consequences of drug use will not affect them. However, drug use can have serious and long-lasting consequences, including addiction, health problems, and even death.

Moreover, the glorification of drug use can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmatization. Drug use is often associated with certain groups of people, such as minorities or lower socio-economic classes. By glamorizing drug use, media and entertainment can perpetuate these stereotypes and further stigmatize these groups.

Conclusively, the media and entertainment industry has a responsibility to portray drug use in a responsible and realistic manner. Instead of glamorizing drug use, they should focus on educating their audience about the dangers and consequences of drug use. Moreover, they should also promote positive role models and healthy lifestyles. It’s time for the media and entertainment industry to take a stand against the glorification of drug use and to use their influence to promote a safer and healthier society.

To be a person of change, contact the entertainment industry and voice your concerns about drugs being showcased in entertainment. Here is a list to get you started:

I look forward to connecting. | Twitter, Instagram | Linktree

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The Harmful Implications of Entertainment’s Glorification of Drug Use

Written by Thomas McGregor

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