Issue+of+why+Gen+Y+never+asks+why?

Tyler Hall n7508018 Tutor: Judith Meiklejohn It is a question that has only just been proposed in relation to Gen Y’s attitude to recreational drugs. Why are we not asking why? Why are we persisting in our attempt to explore the limits of the psychosocial effects of drugs? It has become more prevelant for teens to explore the effects of recreational drugs within the last 15-20 years, with alcohol, cocaine and meth-amphetamines increasing in consumption in over 14yr olds since 1993 ([|//2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey//] ). Although cannabis has decreased in consumption since 1993, it has increased recently, with consumption growing steadily higher since 2007. A lot of the influence of recreational drugs has come from the normalisation of intake through media outlets such as teen drama shows, yet more predominant in youth culture such as music festivals. Various studies have been undertaken to understand the full reality of drug use within the sub culture of music festivals, with findings showing an increased prevalence and even normalisation (Lim et.al. 2008).To discuss this controversial question, an analysis needs to be made in relation to current literature, the current public health issue, and through social and cultural analysis.



Skins and Drugs

Cultural Artefact

Skins is a TV show revolving around a group of teenagers as they live and struggle through their various life problems, whether it be school, sex or extensions of these. The predominant theme in the show is that of drugs and sex. The video is a compilation of the show, specifically depicting the drug references, played to a psychedelic song which emphasises this effect. The show aims to represent the ‘average’ life of teenagers, as a diverse group of kids struggle through a world revolving around angst stemming from stereotypical issues of pregnancy, parentals and school.

Public Health Issue

Issues seen and heard in the chosen cultural artefact predominately revolve around drug use. Although the artefact only shows the teenagers from Skins, the fact that it was produced alongside a specifically chosen song shows the importance our generation places on the influence of music. Does the video/tv show depict this as a representation of the norm living of pre-adulthood? Recent research shows that illicit drug use is more common among music festival attendees compared with their corresponding age cohorts in the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), showing that festival populations are more exposed to health risks than those who do not attend festivals (Lim et.al. 2010). It is also the issue of the atmosphere that a festival can expose the attendees to which can cause health issues, such as the hot and humid climate of festival season, poor hydration facilities, and social factors such as large crowds, ‘mob’ like mentality and not to mention the mental effects of recreational drugs such as aggression.

Literature Review A lot of research conducted recently which centres on the prevalence of drug use in the young population also looks at a comparison with the festival population. Lim and colleagues (1998, 2000) have researched the association with drug use in festivals, and found that there is a considerable difference in the intake of drugs at festivals (Big Day Out) than in general populations. There was over a 30% difference in illegal drug use between the festival goers and those surveyed through the NSDHS (43.5% and 12.4% in 2008 respectively). Lim and colleagues also broke the genres of music down, and found that “Dance/rave/house genres have been associated with increased frequency of use of ecstasy, speed, tobacco, alcohol, solvents, cannabis, inhalants, amyl nitrite, cocaine, LSD, benzodiazepines, ketamine, ‘rave drugs’, ‘hard drugs’ and poly drug use, while ‘Seattle grunge’ has been associated with cannabis and amphetamine use, rap music has been associated with crack use, metal has been associated with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis and both rap and metal have been associated with use of any illicit drug.” The study by Wilson et al (2010), conducted at a festival in Sydney found that festival participants believed that drugs such as ecstasy and cannabis are be easily obtained, and in agreement were those goers who were abstaining from illegal drugs, who exposed that even they thought the same drugs are more would be readily available if they were to partake.

Waterman in1998 stated that music “is often presented as a universal and universalizing art form, transcending social and cultural fault lines, appreciated, if not understood, by all,” yet if this definition of music is correct, then why do we need to extend on this experience by drug use and the intake of illicit substances? Bowen and Daniels (2005) described the attraction of music festivals to be that of a social influence, where a festival not only appeals to the music lover. Due to the attractions at a festival that are not music based, Bowen and Daniels conclude that the attraction may not lie within that of music attraction, but more to socialise and connect to others, friends or not, and escape from our reality and daily lives and troubles. Yet again if this was true, then part of the attraction would be due to the psychological implications of the drugs that are being ingested. As most recreational drugs induce feelings of happiness, euphoria and hallucinations, is it possible that the social attraction of a music festival is partly due to the memories created whilst on drugs? As music festivals are becoming more prevalent in Australia, with more than 17 festivals established within the last decade alone (Wilson et al, 2010), the issue of drugs and their consumption will become more important in terms of our health and the culture that is being developed within this community.

The 2010 Lim and colleagues study differs in findings to that of Parker’s findings (2005) on the subject of the initial ingestion of drugs in youths. Parker found that the age of drug experimentation varied from 12-17yrs of age in Britons, yet Lims results only interviewed adolescents from 16yrs old. Lim and colleagues concluded that the Big Day Out participants were “early in or yet to begin their drug-using careers” yet Parker has clearly shown the opposite. This brings in the issue of culture and cross-nationality influences. In comparison with the culture artefact representation above, Parkers results derived from young Britons are eerily similar, with the Skins characters being around 16yrs of age and well into their drug-using careers. Does drug intake differ between nationalities? Research would suggest yes.

Table 1. Age of initiation and sequencing by drug for young problem drug users (n=86)

Cultural and Social Analysis

Although research suggests that our drug use has decreased in the last decade, the use within music festivals has increased with many admitting that drugs are readily available. Are we normalising drugs within the festival culture? Is it too late to break the association with dance music and recreational drugs? Research is now being used to create initiatives at festivals outlining the effects of drugs such as Initatives such as the Queensland Governments Drug Strategy (2006-2010), developed with an aim to ‘prevent and reduce the harmful effects of drug use’, with other aims being improving health and socio-economic situations. But is our generation one to take notice? I believe these types of government funded initatives do not hold the answer that will solve this, instead more personalised approaches need to be made to target the more influential figure of drug use. Shows such as Skins, Slide and The Inbetweeners are categorised as ‘Comedies’ or ‘Dramas’ yet the element of truth is obvious, our generation is the one that has provided the inspiration. Would changing the focus of such popular shows change the way we view drugs and their effects, or would the shows come off as a ‘christian-lik’ initiative? Personally, such as the trends have shown since 1993, the use of drugs as a recreation will decrease by itself. Just like the decrease in halucinagenic drugs that were popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s, I think that the more popular ‘rave’ drugs will eventually be seen in a darker light. For the time being though, these drugs will still be popular within festival culture, and ultimately a large percentage of our youth population, for a small period of time. Most people now between the age of 15-30 would have either themselves or know someone who has been to a festival, and with research we know that a large proportion of these people have tried and are possible regular users of illegal drugs (Holt, 2005). Whenever the topic of drug use came up within my family, my mother always said “why take drugs when alcohol is legal” which to me says why get high when your can get drunk? Again though I feel this is dangerous. It is our generation that sees that the only way to have a good ‘social’ time is to distance ourselves from reality, and if not by getting ‘high’ off drugs then by intoxication. Both are ultimately drugs, and both can cause serious health issues which are evident within research. Ultimately I have to ask again, why Generation y?

Analysis of Cultural Artefact and Reflection

Themes of young love, drugs and sex is what is appealing to the younger audiences of Skins. Although it is ‘intended’ for older and less impressionable audiences, the themes and subcontext of the show is a frightening exerpt of our current generations habbits. I ask though is this a true representation of our generation, or an overexageration? Personally I do not know any one that takes so many prescription pills that they are able to pin the packets of the pills on their wall, but how farfetched is it? I still feel as though this show would not have been able to be made if there wasn’t some inspiration, is our generation the inspiration for the creators? Does this show create inspiration to our generation? If I was to include the consumption of alcohol within this discussion, then I would have to say that yes our generation does have a problem with drugs, but have we started this problem or has it stemmed from our upbringing? Alcohol is a large part of Australian culture today, and with the susceptibility of our impressionable generation, are we creating the right mix that could scar further generations. The studies from Lim and colleagues, Wilson and Holt all confirm the increase in consumption of illegal drugs, especiall at a festival setting, but I wonder who will take notice. In writing this, I know know all the facts but what am I to do with them? I myself do not participate in recreational drug use, but how am I to alter someones intention to do so? A lot of research has come with statistics but not with action initiatives. How important is it to stop this trend?

References Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2007). //Recent patterns of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. // Retrieved from [] Bowen, H. E. & Daniels, M. J. (2005). Does the music matter? Motivations for attending a music festival. //Event Management, 93 //(3), 155-164. Holt, M. (2005) Young people and illicit drug use in Australia. //Social Research// (3) Parker, H. (2005) Normalization as a barometer: Recreational drug use and the consumption of leisure by younger Britons. //Addiction Research and Theory//. //13//(3), 205-215 Lim, M.S.C., Hellard, M., Hocking, J.S., Spelman, T.D. & Aitken, C.K. (2008). A cross-sectional survey of young people attending a music festival: associations between drug use and musical preference. //Drug and Alcohol Review, 27//. 439-441 Lim, M.S.C., Hellard, M., Hocking, J.S., Spelman, T.D. & Aitken, C.K. (2010). Surveillance of drug use amoung young people attending a music festival in Australia, 2005-2008//. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29//. 150-156 Queensland Government. (2006). //Queensland Drug Strategy 2006-2010 //, Queensland Government, Brisbane. Wilson, H., Bryant, J., Holt, M., & Treloar, C. (2010). Normalisation of recreational drug use among young people: Evidence about accessibility, use and contact with other drug users. //Health Sociology Review, 19 //(2), 164-175.