CHOICES

Choices

Choices

Summary

People use drugs to feel better, and it is true for all types of drugs. The truth is when you take drugs to overcome depression or to solve a problem, or attain the emotional relief (Giddens & Giddens, 2008). In this paper, I have discussed the factors concerning drugs and alcohol use. Firstly, State or federal drug legislation concerning the licit and illicit use of drugs has been discussed. The changes brought about by Obama administration in the laws concerning drug use are also covered. Secondly, the song “Mr. Brownstone” by American band Guns N 'Roses, which glorifies and attracts the attention of the people towards alcohol and drug use is described.

Thirdly, the Public Service Announcement and their effectiveness is discussed in the paper. PSA is doing the considerable work in preventing the drug use, but more efforts and repetition of advertisements are required.

Fourthly the evident role of the print media advertising in glorifying and promoting the use of alcohol or tobacco product is discussed. For instance, the advertisement of Benson & Hedges promotes young men, to smoke more after being inspired the masculinity and sexual power emitting from the advertisement.

Next, the active part of advertisement in promoting drug and alcohol use by using attractive advertisements has been portrayed. The new advertisement of Cointreau evoked the desire to live smooth, fashionable lifestyle, targeting the audience of 25 years and above. This advertisement uses strong, fluorescent graphics, and encourages young drinkers, particularly women, to experiment with different mixes.

Finally, the movie Requiem for a Dream is used as a true depiction of drug glorification, its effects and treatment. The movie is a realistic portrayal up of the effects of drug abuse and trafficking, how drug ruins lives of so many people.

State or Federal Drug Legislation

On August 3, 2010, President Obama signed the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 (FSA) into law. The FSA corrects a long-standing federal law that punished the possession of crack cocaine more severely than the possession of powder cocaine. Prior to the FSA's passage into law, five grams of crack cocaine (equal to the weight of a packet of sweetener) triggered a federal mandatory prison sentence of five years (Erlen & Spillane, 2008). The FSA changes the quantity of crack needed to trigger this mandatory sentence from five grams to 28 grams.

For a 10 year mandatory sentence, one would now need to possess 280 grams of crack cocaine. In what hailed as a tremendous victory by the sentencing reform advocates, the infamous 100:1 ratio (the penalty for possessing 100 grams of powder cocaine was the same as the sentence for possessing 1 gram of crack cocaine) has now been reduced to 18:1.

The estimate that these changes will result in an average sentence reduction of nearly 2 ¼ years, for federally sentenced offenders going forward. The bill also eliminated the five year federal mandatory sentence for simple possession of crack cocaine. These changes projected to affect over 3,000 individuals each year, saving taxpayers $42 million over the next five ...