 |
Intriguing Reads
|
 |
 Go
Ask Alice
The torture and hell of adolescence has rarely been captured
as clearly as it is in this classic diary by an anonymous,
addicted teen. Lonely, awkward, and under extreme pressure
from her "perfect" parents, "Anonymous"
swings madly between optimism and despair. When one of her
new friends spikes her drink with LSD, this diarist begins
a frightening journey into darkness. The drugs take the edge
off her loneliness and self-hate, but they also turn her life
into a nightmare of exalting highs and excruciating lows.
 Intervention:
How to Help Someone Who Doesn't Want Help
In this pioneering work, Vernon Johnson describes intervention.
In terms anyone can understand, Intervention shows
how to help those with an alcohol or other drug problem, and
how to do it right. Family members, friends, and co-workers
of a chemically dependent person can do something about the
situation, according to Vernon E. Johnson. They can intervene
by getting together and presenting reality in a receivable
way to the dependent person.
|
|
Trippy Movies
|
|
With the new release of the highly anticipated
film Thirteen
— written by and starring fifteen-year-old Nikki
Reed — we thought it appropriate to review some
past films that realistically portray substance-abuse. After
watching any of these movies, you'll certainly think twice
before going anywhere near drugs, trust me. And if you've
got a weak stomach, you might want to cover one eye while
viewing. Note: Movies are judged on a four-star scale.
• Requiem
for a Dream
This movie, starring Jared
Leto and Jennifer
Connelly, follows the lives of four drug-addicted teens
who get in deeper and deeper with drugs. The movie is just
brilliant, but there are many parts that make you squirm
— like when Leto's character shoots up in the car
into an infected and not-so-pretty hole in his arm, so be
aware. This doesn't paint a pretty picture of drug use to
say the least. I give this movie four stars!
• Fear
and Loathing in Las Vegas
Based on the book by Hunter
S. Thompson, this movie is a psychedelic trip into the
minds of two twisted individuals. The
film follows a trip across America made by characters played
by Johnny
Depp and Benicio
Del Toro in order to find the "American Dream."
They get a little off-course after delving into many drugs
and lots of alcohol. This is certainly a movie that you
will never forget, although many people may try. I give
this movie three stars, because it is slightly bizarre at
points.
• Gia
This made-for-television movie tells the story of Gia
Carangi, the first real supermodel, whose fame came
at a very high price, namely a big drug addiction. This
movie is phenomenal, but also very disturbing at times—she
shoots up the same as Leto in Requiem, for one. But where
her drug habit leads her becomes the most disturbing part
of the movie. Maybe beautiful models don't have everything.
... I give this movie four stars as well because I thought
it was truly beautiful, yet heart-wrenching. Plus, gorgeous
Angelina
Jolie stars as the tormented Gia.
• Naked
Lunch
If you aren't already familiar with David
Lynch, this movie should give you a sampling of his
work. Quite unlike the other movies on the list, this film
exists almost entirely in a fantasy world. The main character
is an exterminator and the characters get high off of bug
powder. Then, the insanity ensues. This flick isn't for
everyone, but movie buffs out there definitely will get
a kick out of it. I give it two and half stars.
• Blow
Starring Johnny Depp and Penelope
Cruz, this film details the life of George
Jung, one of the most instrumental people in the cocaine
market. But selling drugs isn't all fun and games, and Jung
pays a high price for his involvement. Like Gia, this film
is based on a true story. I give the film three and half
stars, only because its length becomes a bit wearing at
times.
Written by Laurie Mascia
Have you seen any of these movies
and disagree with our review of it? Share your opinion with
us! E-mail
us!
|
|
On the Web
|
|
Amazon.com: Movies about Drugs
Images from Requiem for a Dream
Gia Carangi
George Jung
Hunter
S. Thompson
|
Wanna Get High?
|
|
Sure, these movies show us that doing
drugs is bad, but if you've ever wondered what they really
do to your body, here's your chance to find out.
• Drugs mess with your mind.
Drugs alter the chemical make-up in your brain
and severely decrease your ability to think clearly. Drug
use can cause you to lose your ability to remember things,
to
think clearly, and to study properly.
• Drugs mess with your body.
Drugs
are poisons, and they can make you violently ill.
You can also catch many types of disease through drug
use, including Hepatitis
C and HIV/AIDS.
• Drugs mess with your wallet —
and your life. Drugs are not cheap. And because you
can become quickly addicted, you will do any and everything
to get money for drugs, including committing crimes. So,
not only are you at a severe health risk, but now you
risk being put in prison for a very long time.
Take for instance this statistic from the Bureau
of Justice Statistics: Of convicted property and drug
offenders, about 1 in 4 had committed their crimes to
get money for drugs. A higher percentage of drug offenders
in 1996 (24%) than in 1989 (14%) were in jail for a crime
committed to raise money for drugs.
|
