‘Cocaine gives you confidence’:
BBC slammed for How Drugs Work show which ‘glamorises’ illegal substances
By Daily Mail Reporter
A BBC programme which shows teenagers boasting about the ‘buzz’ they get from drugs has been criticised for glamorising substance abuse.
The broadcaster has received 54 complaints about the BBC3 How Drugs Work show which has examined the use of ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis.
Illegal substances have been praised – with broadcasters saying cocaine induces feelings of ‘euphoria’, ‘confidence’ and ‘talkativeness’.
Fury: Viewers have said the BBC 3 show How Drugs Work glamorised drug use and the broadcaster admitted they have received 54 complaints
Fury: Viewers have said the BBC 3 show How Drugs Work glamorised drug use and the broadcaster admitted they have received 54 complaints
Of those who have complained, 12 have specifically said that the show glamorises drug-taking.
Dozens more have criticised the show online for it’s simplistic approach to substance abuse. Web user ‘Mr Bimble’ wrote: ‘BBC3 in my book you get a “F” – should try a lot harder.’
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In the cocaine episode one young woman told the camera: ‘I can feel it buzzing me – buzzing!’
Later in the show a cocaine user describing the effects of the drug says: ‘This is nice this is.’
Of those who have complained, 12 have specifically said that the show glamorises drug-taking. Dozens more have criticised the show online for it’s simplistic approach to substance abuse
Of those who have complained, 12 have specifically said that the show glamorises drug-taking. Dozens more have criticised the show online for it’s simplistic approach to substance abuse
Another viewer, called Tom, said: ‘The programme gives a confusing message, as confirmed to me by several young people expressing their opinion to me since the programme.
‘It’s all well and good gushing about a programme that features cannabis but non-factual disinformation needs to be shown up for what it is.’
One wrote on a forum called Party Vibe: ‘It was language like “hijacks your senses like a herbal terrorist” that I liked the best – Herbal Terrorists sounds like a good name for a crew.’
Another viewer wrote: ‘Didn’t teach us much new apart from the fact that cannabis increased your ability to make certain connections, hence helps with creativity.’
Glamour: A man rolls a cannabis joint. The BBC show has been criticised for promoting drug use
Of the people who contacted the BBC, 24 felt the show was actually biased against drug use.
Charlotte Moore, the Commissioning Editor for Documentaries, wrote in her blog: ‘Clearly it’s important we don’t glamorise any of these issues and we’ve all worked hard to strike the right tone and balance in every film.
‘But with the highest drug consumption and addiction levels in Europe, I genuinely believe it’s our job as a public service broadcaster to approach challenging issues head on and to make sure we don’t shy away from subjects just because they feel risky or taboo.’
A spokeswoman for the BBC said: ‘We have received 12 complaints that the BBC is pro-drugs, but also 26 saying that we are anti-cannabis, in the context of over two million viewers across the series.
‘The BBC does not condone or glamorise drug use. These films examine the biological effects and are an explanation and warning for people who use drugs, despite the legal and health implications which are highlighted in the programme.
‘The film documents both the subjective highs and lows that drug users experience as well as the objective impact of the drugs on their bodies and minds.’
