Pubdate: Fri, 21 Nov 2003
Source: Times of India, The (India)
Copyright: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2003
Contact:  http://www.timesofindia.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/453
Author: Nikita Singh

IT'S FASHIONABLE TO BE ON A HIGH

The 1970s music scene fairly reeked with big guitars, even bigger hair, 
giggling groupies and casual drug use.

During the 1980s, there was a strong belief that the destruction of the 
mind and body through deliberate drug use for non-medical purposes was 
wrong. That is no longer the case and drug abuse appears to be almost 
normal, sometimes even fashionable in the city too.

Popular music is one of the key influences on young people. Paul McCartney 
is quoted to having said that marijuana was the impetus for the creative 
force behind the Beatles' album "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Back home, ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh may not be into drugs but he always 
has his glass of whiskey to get him into the mood when he sings.

Many films show drug addicts as heroes and drug abuse has also been 
depicted as normal in several situational comedies on television.

"If you have ever associated with musicians, rock or pop, you would 
immediately know how important it is to get to a stage where all that 
matters is the music," says a BA II student of Government College , Sector 11.

His friend from DAV makes affirmative noises. "Drug use is no longer about 
being into music, everyone does it, including girls. It's very common to 
smoke pot at parties and get-togethers and you can immediately spot the 
group who are doing it," he says.

Dr Rajesh Gill, Reader, Sociology department, Panjab University , explains. 
"What started out as an influence from the Western rock culture has now 
gone beyond that. Acute peer pressure, lack of ability to say no, and a 
communication gap between parents and children have become the major 
reasons of increasing drug abuse in the city as well as the country. Add to 
that musicians justifying the use of drugs, the youth is easily 
manipulated," she states.

Doping... On Song

Famous rock stars have paid a price for their drug use. Among those the 
abuse perished are Elvis Presley, Jimmy Hendrix, Jim Morrison of The Doors, 
Janice Joplin, Brian Jones, Rolling Stones, Dennis Wilson, Beach Boys, Bon 
Scott, AC/DC, Frankie Lymon and several others.

In spite of that, drugs still play a prominent role in rock music and this 
seems to have a harmful effect on many who listen. As reported in Life 
magazine (October 3, 1969), Jimmy Hendrix, whose basic philosophy was one 
of unbridled sex and drug use, commented, "You can hypnotise people with 
music and when you get them at their weakest point, you can preach into the 
subconscious what you want to say."

In India too singers and artistes being on a high is common veiled news. 
Closer home, the recent death of a Punjabi folk singer also brought the 'D' 
factor into question. Though not a direct cause its alleged use by him goes 
to show how drug abuse has spread in the country's arty society.
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