Drugs In The Music Industry Essay -- essays research papers

Drugs in the Music Industry     The Music World-glamorous, fast paced, and a world some of us will neverbe bug out of. But 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 music effort isnt immune. In fact, music is one of the most influentialart forms of todays society, and drugs, especi entirelyy to todays youth, tho addto the attractiveness of it all.In the last two or three years, drugs, especially heroin, have risen in uptake up dramatically. Kurt Cobain was the most high-profile drug-related rock starsince the 1970s and was still battling heroin addiction when he attachedsuicide in 1994. Along with him, his wife Courtney Love made it modish tobe a "junkie". In the last year, Stone synagogue Pilots singer Scott Weiland andDepeche Mode singer David Gahan, among others, have been arrested for cocaine orheroin possession. The number of top bands that have been linked to herointhrough a members overdose, arrest, admitted use or recovery is staggeringSmashing pumpkins, Everclear, Snoop doggie Dogg, Dr. Dre, Blind Melon, Red HotChili Peppers, The Breeders, Alice in Chains, Sex Pistols, Sublime, Iggy Pop,the harken goes on and on. To attracther, 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 bother. Nowadays, there is not a personin the world who hasnt heard about the rising drug use. But what are theydoing about it? Back in the 80s, higher prices, the cultism of contracting AIDS,and lower purity kept drugs out of the mainstream. Now, drugs are cheaper andeasier to get then ever, being imported into the country at double the se t out itwas in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the outsiders view of drug use isnt theharsh reality. Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, and Charlie Parker are among the many an(prenominal) 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.      notwithstanding this, drug... ...are easy because they are wealthy,popular, and sublimely happy. Being rich 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 put your brio into your own hands.The music industry may be finally liner up to the truth that drug abusehas become a skillful problem, though. The National Academy of Recording Artsand Sciences gathered in 1996 to address what could be done about it. The senseof crisis has been growing since Kurt Cobain committed suicide, blame at leastpartly on his heroin abuse.(Time p 57)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 retained a drug counselor for its musicians who examinehelp. (Time p 58). But the industry must recognize that pressure from the strike off to keep tutoring and recording can blow a drug problem out of proportion.It is a minimal step, but at least a start toward trying to keep musicianshealthy, productive, and alive.