As we are constantly exposed to the media, we hear different portrayals of drug use in the United States. Often these drugs scares are considered "epidemics," but other times they are considered "crises." Social construction has a significant effect on the history of drug scares, as "U.S. society has recurring anti-drug crusades and a history of repressive anti-drug laws" (Reinarman, 41). There seems to be a common pattern within drug scares: they blame individual behavior and morality for social and structural problems, ultimately diverting attention away from larger-scale problems. There is copious evidence that drug scares do not work to reduce drug use, and may actually promote the behavior they claim to be preventing (Reinarman
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It is certainly an epidemic, in which its importance is just as exaggerated as that of the crack epidemic was. It is critical to note that many labs are "shake and bake" in homes, as opposed to huge, operational labs elsewhere. Similar to its major role in the crack epidemic, the media is making claims by selling us a story- it is up to us whether we want to believe it or not (Lecture, 11/9/17). In the video "The Meth Business Shake and Bake," the authorities busting a meth lab is exaggerated to look exhilarating. An increased focus on the weapons and aggression makes it ego-inflating to the "heroes" in the situation. As described within the chapters of Methland, social and cultural factors ultimately drive people to use meth. These factors include being in rural areas where big companies are taking over, leading to loss of independence, wage reductions, and outmigration. Another significant factor is the increasing prevalence of hopelessness and despair. This anomie becomes an issue in working class people, in addition to those already poor. Meth use becomes a coping mechanism and an escape from this reality. It may also be an attempt to regain status. Meth use is labeled the biggest drug problem in the United States by those in power and those that have the privilege of not worrying about such factors. A solution that is posed and implemented by the media and people in power is criminalization, often of oppressed groups that turn to meth (Lecture,
It is certainly an epidemic, in which its importance is just as exaggerated as that of the crack epidemic was. It is critical to note that many labs are "shake and bake" in homes, as opposed to huge, operational labs elsewhere. Similar to its major role in the crack epidemic, the media is making claims by selling us a story- it is up to us whether we want to believe it or not (Lecture, 11/9/17). In the video "The Meth Business Shake and Bake," the authorities busting a meth lab is exaggerated to look exhilarating. An increased focus on the weapons and aggression makes it ego-inflating to the "heroes" in the situation. As described within the chapters of Methland, social and cultural factors ultimately drive people to use meth. These factors include being in rural areas where big companies are taking over, leading to loss of independence, wage reductions, and outmigration. Another significant factor is the increasing prevalence of hopelessness and despair. This anomie becomes an issue in working class people, in addition to those already poor. Meth use becomes a coping mechanism and an escape from this reality. It may also be an attempt to regain status. Meth use is labeled the biggest drug problem in the United States by those in power and those that have the privilege of not worrying about such factors. A solution that is posed and implemented by the media and people in power is criminalization, often of oppressed groups that turn to meth (Lecture,