Drugs In The Music Industry Essay -- essays research papers

Drugs in the Music Industry     The Music World-glamorous, fast paced, and a world most of us will neverbe part of. simply if we knew what it entailed, would we still want to be? Thewhole world seems to be building itself around medicates more and more every day,and medicine industry isnt immune. In fact, music is one of the most influentialart forms of todays society, and drugs, especially to todays youth, just addto the attractiveness of it all.In the last two or three years, drugs, especially heroin, dumbfound risen inuse dramatically. Kurt Cobain was the most high-profile drug-related rock starsince the 1970s and was still battling heroin addiction when he committedsuicide in 1994. Along with him, his married woman Courtney Love made it fashionable tobe a "junkie". In the last year, Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland andDepeche Mode singer David Gahan, among others, have been arrested for cocaine orheroin possession. The number of top bands t hat have been linked to herointhrough a members overdose, arrest, admitted use or recovery is staggeringSmashing pumpkins, Everclear, shit Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre, Blind Melon, Red HotChili Peppers, The Breeders, Alice in Chains, Sex Pistols, Sublime, Iggy Pop,the list goes on and on. Together, these bands have sold more than 60 millionalbums(Newsweek pgs 50 & 53).     Since kids emulate popular musicians, what is there to keep them fromemulating their drug use? Moreover, whats to keep the majority of thepopulation from doing the same? In the 60s and 70s, drug use was never spokenof nor did anyone admit that it was a problem. Nowadays, there is not a personin the world who hasnt heard about the rising drug use. But what be theydoing about it? Back in the 80s, higher prices, the fear of contracting AIDS,and lower purity kept drugs out of the mainstream. Now, drugs are cheaper andeasier to get then ever, being import into the country at double the rate itwas in th e 1980s. Unfortunately, the outsiders view of drug use isnt theharsh reality. Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, and Charlie Parker are among themany to die from heroin and other drug addictions. Drugs seem to make you afunnier, wiser, cooler person, but what the younger generation fails to realizeis that they are fatal.     Despite this, drug... ...are easy because they are wealthy,popular, and sublimely happy. Being spicy and famous isnt all its cracked upto be. They lead normal lives, have kids and pay bills just as we do, but thisis still no excuse to rate your life into your own hands.The music industry may be finally facing up to the truth that drug abusehas become a atrocious problem, though. The National Academy of presenting Artsand Sciences gathered in 1996 to discuss what could be done about it. The senseof crisis has been growing since Kurt Cobain committed suicide, blamed at leastpartly on his heroin abuse.(Time p57)Expressions of concern are easy to come by,but the chances for meaningful industry action are less clear. Recordexecutives refuse to be drug police, especially in a society where drug abusehas long been accepted, and even condoned, as part of the creative process.Geffen Records has well-kept a drug counselor for its musicians who seekhelp. (Time p 58). But the industry must recognize that pressure from thelabel to keep tutoring and recording can atomic number 6 a drug problem out of proportion.It is a minimal step, but at least a start toward trying to keep musicianshealthy, productive, and alive.