Activity 2- Ecstasy Epidemic

I chose to research the Ecstasy epidemic on Google. There were about 384,000 hits for this specific search.

The overall theme that is emphasized in the five articles was that ecstasy use is rapidly rising, and could overtake the use of drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Interest of this drug has increased by users, researchers, educators, and policy makers in recent years. The ecstasy industry has become a huge enterprise in less than a decade, and younger and younger people are beginning to abuse this drug.  

In the “Britain on verge of ecstasy epidemic” article, the reporter emphasized the rise in production and use of the drug. “The great ecstasy epidemic” article covered the trafficking of the drug and the development of the industry. The “Graham: Tuesday, A New Tool To Combat Ecstasy Epidemic” article covered the laws that have been enacted to protect people against the drug and the penalties for distributing this drug. “Declaring an Ecstasy Epidemic” explained what Santa Clara County has done to declare ecstasy an epidemic and showed young people disapproving of the drug. “Questions & Answers: The Ecstasy Epidemic” explains how ecstasy is no longer a big city epidemic, but has spread everywhere. It also suggests that the drug has become mainstream due to its changing name and marketing strategy.

I think that these themes are valid in regards to the drug due to the huge interest of the drug in the party culture. In addition, I think that these themes are valid because dance clubs and raves are becoming more and more of an interest to young people and ecstasy plays a huge role in these events.

I think that the drug is a problem of epidemic proportions because of the place it has taken in the rave and dance culture in today’s society. More and more people, especially young people, have begun to participate in this drug as a means of fitting in and “having fun” at clubs and raves. I think the media labels this drug as an epidemic for the same reasons, because it is becoming more and more common and more and more accessible.

I think this information relates to class material because we the age group that this drug generally effects falls within the age group of our class. Also, in the class we learn about Schedule 1 drugs, like this one, synthetic drugs and their effects, and how today’s society views this drug.

Resources

Declaring an Ecstasy Epidemic. (2012, January 1). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.nbcbayarea.com/on-air/as-seen-on/editorialsDeclaring-an-Ecstasy-Epidemic-138225504.html

Graham: Tuesday, A New Tool To Combat Ecstasy Epidemic. (2001, April 30). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-04-30/news/0104300081_1_ecstasy-sentencing-guidelines-gram

Hickley, M. (n.d.). Britain on verge of ecstasy epidemic. Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-197808/Britain-verge-ecstasy-epidemic.html

Questions &Amp; Answers: The Ecstasy Epidemic. (2000, January 1). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.newsweek.com/questions-amp-answers-ecstasy-epidemic-158691

The great ecstasy epidemic. (2003, September 27). Retrieved January 23, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/sep/28/drugs.society

Activity 1: "Through a Blue Lens"

Through a Blue Lens was a compelling documentary that took place in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Vancouver police officers followed several drug addicts throughout the video as they documented their daily lives, learned their names and stories, and gathered insight on what it is really like to be dependent on drugs. This video was made in order to convey to young people the horrors of addiction and attempt to keep kids away from drugs. The underlying theme of this film ultimately is that drugs and drug use are destructive habits that take over and ruin ones entire life. The drug users in this film constantly express how miserable they are and how the drugs and drug use has destroyed their lives. I also think an important message expressed in this video is that drugs don’t discriminate. Drug addiction can happen to any person at any time. No matter what age, race, income level, family and personal background, a person can become addicted. I think that sharing the stories of addicts like Darlene, who came from an abusive home, in comparison to addicts like Nicola, who came from a privileged home, really gets this message across. Both of these women are in the same situation due to drug use, despite they way that they grew up. I think that this video was very effective in getting the themes and messages across, especially by showing the first hand accounts of the horrific consequences of drug use. Examples of these horrific accounts include living on the streets, Carlee’s wounds and scars that resulted from her picking at her skin while high, multiple users rolling around on the ground scared and in pain with no idea what was actually happening, and showing a man overdose. These addicts live horrible and unhealthy lives and have nothing but their drug addition. Overall, I think that this was a great insight to every day lives of drug addicts and I think it would be successful in deterring kids from beginning down the devastating path of addiction.

Introduction!

Hello everyone! My name is Caitlyn Emery. I'll be 20 years old on January 21st. I am originally from Greensboro, North Carolina and I moved to Palm Harbor, Florida when I was nine and have lived in the Tampa area ever since. I have two brothers, Brandon and Ben, and I am the youngest child and the only girl. 

I have many interests that include traveling, reading, sports, and Netflix. This summer I am lucky enough to be able to volunteer abroad in a small village near Siem Reap, Cambodia. While I am there I will be building houses, working with the children, and many more things. If you'd like to read more about my trip and what I'll be doing, please check out my personal page at http://www.gofundme.com/epp15k! After the two weeks I spend volunteering, I will be backpacking around Thailand and some other parts of Southeast Asia with my best friend, Gabby, and a few other girls from my volunteer group :) 

Choosing a college was never a hard decision because I was lucky enough to get into my dream school, the University of Florida. (Go Gators!) Here at UF, I am double majoring in criminology and political science with a minor in history. I am currently a second year, but I will be graduating early in the spring of 2016. After I graduate from UF, I plan on attending law school. I have a few schools in mind, but the University of Texas-Austin is at the top of my list. As for a career, I am not completely sure of what I want to do. I know that I am interested in federal law enforcement, politics in general- campaigns and elections more specifically, and of course, being a lawyer. 

I decided to take the Alcohol, Drugs, and Society course because I needed a criminology elective and this class seemed like it would be a really interesting course to take that was relevant today. Additionally, I have heard great things about this course from my friends that have taken it in the past. I’m excited to get a better understanding of how drugs affect society and to become a more informed citizen.  As of right now, I do not really have a strong opinion supporting either side of the legalization of drugs and the decriminalization of drugs. I think that after this course, I will be able to form a better supported opinion on the legalization of drugs and the ways in which I believe drug related issues should be handled in the criminal justice system.