Drug Films and Books

Weeds: Marijuana in Suburban America

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Films and Books on June 22nd, 2010

The title says it all. Weeds the TV series focuses on marijuana in the suburbs – and the unlikely people involved in its cultivation and distribution. Nowadays, marijuana is no longer considered exclusively as an illegal substance – but in the series, it is viewed in that context. At the center of the story is Nancy Botwin (played by Mary-Louise Parker) who, at the beginning of the series, had just become a widow. She then turns to growing and selling marijuana in order to support her family, the death of her husband having been unexpected.

WeedsThe term Weeds, therefore, does not just refer to the slang for marijuana, but also refers to the old term used for the mourning garment – the black dress – used by grieving widows.

In the beginning, Botwin was simply involved in low-level dealing of drugs and growing of marijuana; such was the situation during the first 3 seasons. Eventually, as in anyone who lives in the world of drugs, Botwin’s involvement grew to smuggling of illegal substances from Mexico into the United States.

The series was created by Jenji Kohan, whose screenplay for the pilot episode earned him a WGA award, and is produced by Lionsgate Television for the Showtime cable television network. It has thus far been nominates for 19 Emmy Awards and 10 Golden Globes.

Weeds first aired in August 2005 and has since run five seasons, with a sixth currently in production. Weeds Season 6 is scheduled to air on August 16. During its first season, Weeds  became the highest rated series for Showtime.

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Rent: Living in America at the End of the Millennium

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books on June 21st, 2010

Rent is considered as one of the best musicals to hit Broadway in the last 20 years – and that has nothing to do with the fact that it is this writer’s personal favorite. It is a rock musical that deals with rather sensitive issues that some may even consider taboo – AIDS, drugs and homosexuality.

RentEven with such heavy issues in its storyline, however, creator Jonathan Larson was able to tastefully bring together the story of “a year in the life of friends” – creative yet struggling artists living in New York’s Lower East Side.

Some scenes in the musical and its movie adaptation depict the underground drug scene in the Big Apple; clandestine meetings in dark alleys, with junkies following and begging “The Man” for “X” (marijuana or MDMA), “smack” and “horse” (heroin), and “jugie boogie boy” (crack cocaine).

One of the more endearing scenes is the first interaction between exotic dancer and heroin addict Mimi Marquez, who drops her “stash” in the darkened apartment shared by songwriter and former junkie Roger Davis, who eventually become lovers. A clear favorite by most people is Angel Dumott Schunard, a drag queen and street drummer suffering from AIDS; she meets philosopher and anarchist Tom Collins, who also has AIDS, in an alley after he was mugged – and they fall in love.

It is hard not to sing along to Seasons of Love, or groove to the beat of La Vie Boheme. Other characters are filmmaker Mark Cohen, who serves as the narrator; bisexual performance artist Maureen Johnson and her life partner lawyer Joanne Jefferson; and landlord Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III.

Rent won, among other awards, a Tony for Best Musical. It had a 12-year run, opening on January 25, 1996 and closing on September 7, 2008.

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House MD: Dr. House Battles Drug Addiction

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books, Prescription Drug Abuse on June 20th, 2010

The famous Emmy Award winning show House MD features the story of unconventional Dr. Gregory House and his group of diagnosticians as they take on the most puzzling of medical cases. Heading the diagnostic division of the fictional Princeton-Plainsoboro Teaching Hospital, Dr. House leads through tough medical enigmas and challenges, as they deal with relationships, drugs and death.

House MDHolmes = Homes = House

The character of Gregory House is highly inspired by Sherlock Holmes. Like Sherlock Holmes, our protagonist Dr. House is as single-minded, brilliant and arrogant in their respective fields. A large portion of the show centers on House’s plight against drug addiction, particularly against the pain killer Vicodin. This also parallels to Holmes, which was written to have been addicted to injected cocaine and Opium.

Drug Addiction

The first few seasons of House revolved around his dependency with Vicodin for his leg pain. He had a leg infarction years ago that made it necessary for him to take Vicodin. Vicodin is an addictive pain killer medication and in seasons 5 and 6,we see how House struggles to get through with rehab. He has been addicted to Vicodin since season 1. Throughout the series, we see House take different drugs like LSD, oxycodone, Alzheimer’s medication and methadone.

Why Watch House MD

House MD is one of the top rated shows in the US today. Six seasons in, House still draws a lot of loyal viewers because of its witty humor, unconventional storytelling and heart-tugging stories. The viewer can also learn a lot about handling addictions and how these dangerous drugs affect one’s relationship with those around him.

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LOST: Overcoming Drugs In and Off the Island

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books, Prescription Drug Abuse on June 19th, 2010

The Lost TV series follows the story of a group of people who crash landed in a mysterious island. The story has proven to be a hit for millions of loyal viewers around the world. For six years, Lost has continually bewildered its viewers with its unpredictable twists and turns with characters who have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Probably one of the reasons people follow the series is that, despite polar bears, black smoke and other unexplainable things, it has discussed real issues that concern real people, including drug abuse.

LostCharlie Pace and Heroin

Those who are loyal to the TV show know Charlie Pace, a beloved character killed in the finale of season 3 but still appears every now and then until the series ended. Charlie is a character whose personal battle with drugs reverberates with personal power. Charlie was a heroin addict before the crash landing that sent them to the island. The episode showcasing Charlie’s battles with his addiction and how he conquered it is a valiant reminder that all of us have it in us to conquer our personal demons.

Jack Shephard and Oxycodone

Jack is a spinal surgeon and the early leader of the survivors. When they were able to escape the island for the first time, Jack suffered depression and went into Oxycodone abuse as well as alcohol abuse. Oxycodone is a narcotic pain reliever that has similarities with morphine.

Lost Conclusion

Lost recently concluded a wonderful 6-year journey filled with mystery, personal battles and relationships that took the minds and hearts of not only fans of science fiction, but a wide range of people whose personal lives coincide with the story lines. Indeed, Lost is one of America’s best TV series ever created.

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Blue Magic in American Gangster

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books on June 18th, 2010

American Gangster is a 2007 film that revolves around Frank Lucas, a gangster from the streets of Harlem who made a fortune out of smuggling heroin from Vietnam to New York City. Frank Lucas, who is played by the award winning actor Denzel Washington, is later challenged by Richie Roberts, played by another award winning actor Russel Crowe.  Roberts is a detective attempting to bring down the rising drug lords in the city. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and brought a lot of positive reviews all over.

american gangsterDrug Lord: Frank Lucas

Frank Lucas was an actual drug lord during the early 60s to the 70s. In the film, we find him making a bold move about his drug industry by successfully cutting off the middlemen. We see him making a trip to Asia to a source of almost pure heroin, the Golden Triangle.  He made a fortune selling his almost pure heroin to the streets of New York, making about one million dollars a day. After his conviction, Frank Lucas aided in about one hundred drug-related crimes and has his sentence significantly reduced.

Blue Magic: Heroin

We see in the film widespread selling and using of Blue Magic 98%-100% pure heroin. Heroin is a drug that is derived from morphine, which is a substance that is present in the Asian poppy plant. The effects of administering heroin are feelings of euphoria, followed by drowsiness. Due to the depression of the central nervous system, mental functions become slow and clouded. Long-term effects include collapsed veins, infections on the heart lining and valves, pulmonary complications and other blood-contact diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis.

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The Hangover Showcases the Dangers of Date Rape Drugs

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction, Drug Films and Books, Prescription Drug Abuse on June 17th, 2010

The Hangover is a 2009 comedy film that follows the story of 4 friends going on a Vegas trip for their Bachelor’s Party. Staring Bradley Cooper as Phil Wenneck, the best man who’s bored with his life, Ed Helmes as Stu Price, a Jewish dentist, Zach Galifianakis as Alan Garner, the socially dumb and soon to be brother-in-law, and Justin Bartha as Doug Bilings, the groom who gets lost at the end of the party. The story revolves around finding Doug who got lost during the bachelor’s party.

the hangoverWhere’s Doug?

During the first few scenes of the movie, we see the 4 friends gather on the roof of the hotel, gazing at the Vegas lights that await them. They make a toast and drink to the night of their lives. Little did they know that Alan Garner had slipped roofies in their drink in an attempt to make the night even more legendary. They wake the next morning in their hotel room absolutely thrashed, and they can’t find Doug who is getting married in a matter of hours.

Roofies: What happened last night?

Roofies or Rohypnol drugs are commonly known as date rape drugs because of its powerful effects to anaesthetize and make the victim defenseless against physical advances. It is actually a medical drug that is used as a pre-operation anaesthetic or a strong sleeping pill, but even greater dosages can bring temporary amnesia.

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