OPINION EDITOR – MAKAYLA AMITRANI
Euphoria is described as a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness. Euphoria is common amongst drug users, them feeling the highest of highs, the feeling of euphoria. The HBO hit show “Euphoria” is focused on the characters doing drugs to escape their lives or feel that small moment of happiness, which leads to accusations that the show glamorizes drug use.
Stars of the hit show such as Zendaya, have denied the accusations, stating that her character, Rue, is someone that addicts can seek hope in, some citing that it spotlights drug use.
According to a statement made to Entertainment Weekly, Zendaya hopes that Rue can “hopefully help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain. And maybe feel like they’re not the only one going through or dealing with what they’re dealing with.”
Even after Zendaya shared her perspective, it was not enough to convince the public otherwise.
“Rather than further each parent’s desire to keep their children safe from the potentially horrific consequences of drug abuse and other high-risk behavior, HBO’s television drama, ‘Euphoria,’ chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence and other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today’s world,” said D.A.R.E., the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
“I don’t think it glorifies it, but I think it highlights drugs in a way that a lot of us have never seen before. I know growing up I was kind of sheltered so I never really got to see the reality of drugs and how it affects people, I just hear about the extreme horror stories, so I think it gives people that were sheltered a new perspective on it,” said junior accounting major Isabella Mulwani.
On the other hand, it could be seen as educational and not as promoting drug use. Along with the education, the addition of the fun and pretty outfits, makeup and parties add to the appeal.
“Euphoria does a good job of showcasing how drugs [are] seen and used in our culture today. The show definitely adds to the appeal with the makeup, music, outfits and party scenes, but it also shows the negatives that come with it. Such as Rue’s addiction [and] how badly it impacted her life. For me, when I watched it, it was incredibly relatable and terrifying to see how drugs are used but from the other perspective,” said Monsenet Vasquez junior finance and risk management major.
The show does a good job of showing the cause and effect of using drugs and showing the less attractive aspects of addiction and drug use.
“[I] don’t think it romanticizes it in any way. I know a lot of people say ‘Euphoria’ romanticizes drugs, but I don’t think it does. Personally, seeing everything at face value turned me away from it and definitely did not make me want to try all of these random drugs. It actually scares me away from it all because of how real it all is,” said Mulwani.
Understanding that Zendaya does not believe the show is promoting or glorifying drug use but provides hope to addicts is an amazing thing but others say different. Both sides could be true, addicts may see hope for themselves in the show, but it also might encourage non-addicts to partake in drug use or it could even scare people away from ever trying drugs in the first place.
If you or someone you know is in need of help or intervention, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-662-4357. You can also contact the Student Counseling Center at 210-436-3135 for more information or to schedule an individual appointment with an available counselor.