By Madison Cook | Contributor
Editor’s Note: Madison is a 10th grade student at Greenhill School.
As teenagers in the 21st century, we are continually impacted by the media, which often highlights the poor choices of celebrities we admired as kids, like Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan. During this phase of life, characterized by a strong desire to “fit in” and the ongoing battle to stay true to ourselves in the face of peer pressure, recognizing the dangers of drugs can be challenging—especially when we see our childhood heroes struggle with addiction. Personally, I feel a sense of disgust when I come across a dramatic TMZ clip showing Paris Hilton being taken out of a rehab center or hearing reports that Justin Bieber, my huge crush during middle school, has been arrested for marijuana possession.
Instead of being intrigued, I feel repulsed and promptly lose admiration for that celebrity, regardless of how many of their songs are on my iPhone. Interestingly, I find the portrayal of drug use in films to be far less offensive. The glamorized party scenes depicting illegal drug activities, enriched by loud music and lively dancing, make me curious about the effects of drugs and whether they might provide teenagers like me with an experience of fun that we couldn’t otherwise achieve.
Overall, the portrayal of drugs in films and among popular celebrities serves as a mild point of reflection for me, never compelling enough to overshadow my core values.
Here are the thoughts of some other local teenagers:
“For me, all I see in celebrities is the negative effects drugs have on their career and personal lives, further turning me away from drugs.”
– Chase Tomson, 16, Shepton High School
“The Hollywood celebrities that are acting out a part (in movies) only show the thrill of drugs and parties, not the negative emotions and feelings that accompany them.”
– Abby Grace Cooper, 15, Shepton High School
“In movies, especially, they usually never show the negative effects, only the positive ones. Also, movies expose teens to stronger drugs, for example showing the actors doing cocaine and LSD. In Limitless, with Bradley Cooper, it shows a new, non-FDA approved drug helping him think and use all of his brain with it, but the withdrawal effects can kill him.”
– Trevor Cole, 15, Shepton High School
“I don’t like the celebrity as much after I see or hear about them having involvement with drugs. It just makes them look bad.”
– Jeremy Weisburg, 16, Parish Episcopal School
“What other celebrities do won’t affect me because personally I know what is right and wrong.”
– Austin Liu, 15, Shepton High School
“Celebrities and movies make drug culture seem so magical and cool, which makes it hard to ignore. In reality… teens should educate themselves about drugs using sources other than movies, because movies are an art form and they intentionally twist reality.”
– Alex Rafael, 17, Greenhill School
“Most people realize that movies can be fictional and therefore drug intake in movies can be an act. On the other hand, celebrities are very real, and people know almost everything about them. Since many teens view celebrities as role models, they can be influenced if the celebrity takes drugs.”
– Josh Bandopadhay, 15, St. Marks School of Texas
