Undermining+Social+Media

Pub209 Michelle Newcomb


 * Cultural artefact **

The artefact that was selected was a picture found on the Internet, the picture itself is very simplistic and has what seems to be a flyer that has the words “I just want to get high,” written on it. In addition the picture does not have much colour featured through it with a very greyscale look to it.


 * Name the Public health issue**

The public health issues that is being addressed is the increase use of illicit drugs as a result of social media, this is becoming a major health concern because of the many indirect affects it has on our nation. There is one particular method that can help reduce the rise of the illicit drug use and that is harm minimisation programs, harm minimisation aims to educate drug offenders on how to take drugs safely. Focusing on the artefact it is clear that people are becoming tolerant to illicit drug use, and this is being expressed over social media. This particular picture has come from Instagram and shows how this particular person is expressing the feeling towards drugs and will an affect on all those who see this picture.


 * Literature review**

This page going to be designed to educate those on how social media is affecting drug use within Australia and what can be done to reduce drug use. Social media has expanded dramatically over the years and has become more widely available to a vast majority of people. Furthermore social media is having affects on both sides of the party contributing to the rise and fall of the prevalence of drug use within in Australia. Firstly lets have a look at the prevalence of drug use in Australia, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) recorded in 2010 that 39.8% of people have used illicit drugs in their lifetime. According to statistics 35.4% of people over the age of 14 have used cannabis in their lifetime (AIHW, P.g. 41, 2011). In addition Kaplan (2012) conducted a survey among 37 students and found that 97% reported their social networking friends used drugs. Furthermore With drug use on the rise it is essential that all drug users are educated and provided safe facilities on how to use drugs safely reducing any self-inflicting harm. There are a few different reasons why people take drugs these include stress relief, peer pressure, loneliness and many more. When drugs are used for specific circumstances it usually will end up with the user becoming addicted. Addiction is defined by (Moore, 2007) as being physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance. In addition there are two types of addiction, which are Tolerance and Withdrawal. Tolerance is where the drug user has built up a tolerance to the particular chemical that gives the desired effect, so more of drug is required to produce the same High, this can also end up with the user overdosing. Withdrawal is where the user painful emotional, physical or psychological experience when the substance has not been taken. In addition Degenhardt, Lynskey & Hall (2000, P.421) state “evidence suggests that those who have begun substance use by an early age are more likely to develop problematic use.” If more problematic use continues to rise it will mean that more people will begin to rely on drugs which could result in loss of jobs, more pressure on government health system and overall affecting tax payers. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated the social cost of illicit drug use including those associated with crime, healthcare and lost productivity to be $8.2billion. A person who take drugs on a frequent basis usually does not understand that impacts it has on themselves, family and Australia as a nation. According to Green (2006, Pg.4) “Illicit drug use is increasing in regional Australia, with rates that approximate those observed in the cities a few years ago.” With drug use on the rise this is going to put more pressure on health care services resulting with taxpayers paying for resources. Not only are they putting more pressure on the health care services they are putting themselves and those around them at risk whilst under the influence of drugs. If we look into placing a well thought out Harm Minimisation approach it would have positive effects for both sides of the party. In this day and age it is a lot easier to target a wide spread audience through the use of social media, by promoting a harm minimisation approach through social media it would be able to educate those who already take drugs and those who are thinking about taking drugs. AIHW recorded that an Online/Internet support program for cannabis users had the least amount of returning offenders (Refer to Figure 1:). A study conducted in America showed that use of marijuana among teens fell by 11% over two years, in addition Sagall (2004, P.1) states "Fewer teens are using drugs because of the deliberate and serious messages they have received about the dangers of drugs from their parents, leaders, and prevention efforts like our National Anti-Drug Media Campaign." This clearly indicates that social media can target the required audience and has positive effects. With technology advancing at a rapid rate, I think information about drugs will be able to reach a larger audience than what It currently can. In saying that it also means that spread of pictures encouraging drug use will also reach a larger audience. Karvelas P. (2012) states “Young people turn to drugs under peer pressure from their closest friends, not their wider circle of classmates.” This can be easily influenced through social media as it provides a more private and comfortable setting.


 * Cultural and Social Theory **

Looking at this particular issue on societal level we needs to investigate what sub groups of society is affecting the increase drug rates. Referring back to AIHW they stated that 35.4% over the age of 14 have used cannabis within the last year and 39.8% of people have used at least one illicit drug in their lifetime. The topic at hand is that social media is affecting the use of illicit drugs, in particular social networking. I looked into how people in particular adolescents are affected by social networking in regards to the use of illicit drugs. The anomie theory is first sociological theory I researched into and I found that it was quite relevant and could correlate to the rise in drug use in Australia. The anomie theory was invented in the 1930’s by sociologist Robert K. Merton; his theory simply was Individuals who do not succeed must devise “deviant” or disapproved adaptations to deal with their failure. In addition it is hard for different sociological groups to achieve success that is defined by society, what influences this is the gap created by different social class. If someone is born into a lower social class it usually expected that offspring is going stay in that social class this is just one example. It is now easier for people to express their deviant behaviour via social networking. I personally believe that young people who view other members of society deviant behaviour will be somewhat influenced, linking me into the next theory about Selective Interaction/Socialization. Selective Interaction/Socialization is a philosophical approach that I think can be applicable to this particular argument. “The term “selective interaction” refers to the fact that potential drug users do not randomly “fall into” social circles of users; they are attracted to certain individuals and circles—sub cultural groups—because their own values and activities are compatible with those of current users.” (Theories of drug use) The above quote I personally believe can be enhanced through social media/networking and can attract people who share similar interests or people who they want to be involved with. Posting about illicit drugs on social networking sites and has become so socially accepted that it can easily enhance the Selective interaction theory. The social control theory explains that people use drugs because there is a lack of social controls that encourage conformity to mainstream society. ‘Theories of drug use’ states “It is not that drug users’ ties to an unconventional subculture attract them to drugs; it is their lack of ties to the conforming, mainstream sectors of society that frees them from the bonds keeping them from using drugs.” Relating this to technology we can see that there is no real limits on limiting what people can explore in regards to deviant behaviour on the Internet. In this day in age it is very easy for most people to be able to access the internet compared to what it was 10 years ago, this could be contributing to the rise in drug use in Australia because it easier for people to explore deviant behaviour through social media.

The artefact I have chosen represents someone’s expression of deviant behaviour over social networking, I believe it is a good case point for my topic because it shows how easy it is for someone to access and be influenced by someone else’s self expression. Not only was the picture easy for me to find it just goes to show that Selective Interaction theory can be extremely valid because of this. For me personally I have gained a lot from this research topic, I have learnt about many different social theories and how many people in Australia are taking illicit drugs at this point in time. In addition I learnt that Harm Minimisation approach would be the most applicable in trying to reduce the rising drug rates in Australia through an education process. I definitely think this will affect the way I think about people who I personally know are involved in illicit drugs and how they became involved.
 * ANALYSIS OF THE ARTEFACT **

Figure 1:
 * Appendix**

References: Degenhardt, L., Lynskey, M., & Hall, W. (2000). Cohort trends in the age of initiation of drug use in Australia. //Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 24//(4), 421-426. Retrieved from [] Moore, B. (2007). //Australian Pocket Oxfor Dictionary// (sixth edition ed.). melbourne Institute of Health and Welfare Canberra. (n.d.). Drugs In Australia 2010. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Retrieved September 24, 2013, from [|www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737420455] Sagall, R. J. (2004). Drug use news. //Pediatrics for Parents, 20//(11), 2. Retrieved from [] [|Kaplan, A. (2012, May 8). Social Networking and Teen Drug Use: Tremendous Potential to Help -- and Harm. //Psychiatric Times//. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/apa2012/social-networking-and-teen-drug-use-tremendous-potential-help-and-harm] [|Karvelas, P. (2012, December 26). Peer pressure key to drug use. //The Australian//. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/peer-pressure-key-to-drug-use/story-e6frg8y6-1226543378461#]



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