Euphoria uses morphine to morph teenagers’ brains
Grace Gyepes, Staff Writer
Drugs have been glorified for centuries. The first drug laws were passed in regards to morphine and opium in the early 1800s, since then the US has launched a full on War on Drugs. America’s drug epidemic is out of control, and social media does not help. Since the ’70s, Hollywood has heavily contributed to the glamorization of drugs.
It is no secret that teenagers and high schoolers will continue to find access to drugs. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reported that 50 percent of teenagers have misused drugs at least once. However, shows such as “Skins”, “Shameless” and HBO’s most recent hit, “Euphoria”, have not helped with the discouragement of teen drug use.
Many fans waited patiently for two and a half years for the second season of “Euphoria”. Upon its release, the show broke HBO records with 2.4 million viewers. Although “Euphoria” is rated TV-MA, a generous amount of the audience is made up of 13 to 18 year olds. The show attempts to normalize serious issues many teens face, such as sexual assult, bullying and relationships. Although these issues are main plot points in the show, the use and effects of drugs outshines them. The main character and narrator Rue, played by Zendaya, is a drug addict. She struggles with multiple mental health disorders as well as watching her father die at the age of 14. Throughout the show, viewers watch her struggle with sobriety, relapsing and the effect it has on the relationships around her. The show was praised for its cinematography and soundtrack, but did it do more bad than good?
In all honesty, teens have and will continue using drugs. The NDCAS (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics) reported that between 2016-2020, the amount of eighth graders using drugs went up 61 percent. People have been using drugs for centuries, and although social media may glamorize drugs, it did not popularize them. The issue with shows such as Euphoria is rather than depicting the dangerous and life long effect of drugs, they display teens using drugs and alcohol to cope with significant matters.
The character Rue (Zendaya) having a meltdown in a car on her way to rehab during the premiere episode of Euphoria.