Drug Culture can be Changed
The great majority of popular music that made reference to illicit drugs portrayed them in a positive rather than in a negative light.
Cannabis was the most frequent drug mentioned in the music lyrics.
Rap music was the worst offender in promoting illicit drug use in a positive light.
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
In 2008 a major youth survey found that drug use is of major concern to one in four Australian youths.
As young people are most likely to be exposed to the pro drug message in popular music they are most at risk of harm.
Drug use in Australia is commencing at an earlier age so children know of the effects of illicit drugs based on bad experiences by their friends but they ARE influenced by the culture.
The way forward is to provide Australian children with the ability to resist drug pressure at a young age so they will not use illicit drugs early or later in life.
Australia NEEDS effective early intervention illicit drug resistance programs to avoid the trauma and costs of dealing with the early drug use influenced by music.
Early intervention drug resistance programs are money well invested and would be welcomed by young people because of their stated fears.
Early intervention drug resistance programs should explain the extreme damage caused by illicit drugs based on the latest medical research to offset the pro-drug message in music.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
1/2009
