DRUGS AND POPULAR CULTURE ANALYSIS

  The use and abuse of psychoactive substances is documented frequently in American popular culture—in movies, music, books, TV shows, podcasts, TV commercials, etc. Some of these portrayals glorify the use of psychoactive substances while others portray the use of drugs in a negative light. Additionally, drug users and drug sellers can be portrayed in a positive or negative light. Moreover, negative racial and ethnic stereotypes as well as stereotypes about drugs users/sellers are frequently used in these portrayals. Describe the portrayal of drug use in popular culture and to assess whether research supports a connection between media portrayals of drug use and the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs among children, adolescents or young adults.