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Substance Use in Popular Music and Film

Without question, the United States faces an epidemic of underage and illegal substance abuse. In 1997, more than 54 percent of U.S. high school seniors had used an illegal drug at least once, as had more than 29 percent of eighth graders. The average age of first-time users of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin was 13.7, 14.7, and 14.4 years, respectively. Youth tobacco smoking rates are higher now than at any time in the past 17 years--every day another 3,000 American children and teenagers become regular smokers.

Alcohol consumption among adolescents remains at unacceptably high levels. More than 80 percent of U.S. high school students have tried alcohol; in 1997, more than 31 percent of 12th graders, 25 percent of 10th graders, and 14 percent of 8th graders claimed to have consumed five or more alcoholic drinks in the preceding two weeks. Perhaps most disturbing, among 12- to 17-year-olds who exhibit no other problem behaviors, those who have used marijuana, alcohol, or cigarettes in the past month are 17 times more likely to consume illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or LSD than those who have not used the "gateway" drugs.

Because teenagers are major consumers of movies and music, there is concern about media depictions of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs encouraging use. A recently released study, sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, examined the frequency and nature of substance abuse in the most popular movie rentals and songs of 1996 and 1997.

Key findings about substance use in music and film:

• Ninety-eight percent of the 200 movies studied depicted illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or over-the-counter/prescription medicines.
• Alcohol and tobacco appeared in more than 90 percent of the movies, and illicit drugs appeared in 22 percent.
• Less than one-half (49%) of the movies portrayed short-term consequences of substance use, and about 12 percent depicted long-term consequences.
• One or more major characters used illicit drugs in 12 percent of the movies, tobacco in 44 percent, and alcohol in 85 percent.
• The major finding from the song analysis is the dramatic difference among music categories, with substance references being particularly common in rap.
• Illicit drugs were mentioned in 63 percent of rap songs, versus about 10 percent in the other categories.
• Alcohol references appeared in almost half of the rap lyrics, but in 13 percent or fewer of other categories of music.
• In song lyrics that mentioned illicit drugs, marijuana was by far the most frequently mentioned drug.
• In song lyrics, there were almost no references to tobacco.

Movies and music are extremely popular among adolescents. Sixty-three percent of 9- to 17-year-olds watch at least one rented video per week. Teenagers consistently name listening to music as their most preferred nonschool activity. Moreover, when attention is paid to "background" listening (listening while working, doing homework, driving, etc.), estimates of adolescents’ exposure to music average as high as 4 to 6 hours daily.

Careful examination of the content of movies and music is a crucial first step in determining their role in promoting substance use and abuse. Understanding the messages children are receiving about substance abuse from the media can help you educate them about prevention. The full report on substance use in popular movies and music is available on the Internet at http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/mediastudy/new.aspx.

Source: Substance Use in Popular Movies and Music, April, 1999. Sponsored by Office of National Drug Control Policy and Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

To receive a complimentary copy of this PreventionAlert, call SAMSHA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) @ 1-800-729-6686, TDD 1-800-487-4889 (for the hearing impaired.) PREVENTIONAlert is supported by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and may be copied without permission with appropriate citation. For information about PREVENTIONAlert, please contact CSAP by phone (301) 443-0581 or e-mail gensley@samhsa.gov

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