San Jose State University
Phot 120: Image and Idea_Spring 2012
Professor: Robin Lasser, Barbara Boissevain
"Drug abuse" is a social problem in U.S society, and is also a worldwide issue. This series titles "Drug Abuse" is aimed at reflecting the negative effect of drug abuse on adolescents. The term "abuse" suggest negative behaviour. "Drug Abuse" refers to use of controlled substance to the point that resulting with negative consequences. Drug Abuse, involves sociological and psychology perspectives, and the negative behaviour depends upon different contexts. People, especially some juveniles, may abuse drugs as a means of coping with unpleasant social or environmental conditions. With the immature personality of some juveniles, mass media or peer group may in some way encourage or validate drug abuse. The above description comes from the perspective of adult society.
Then, how about the juveniles? The "Drug Abuse" series is focused on the juvenile's feelings of how it feel to be addicted. Nowadays, the majority of youth in developed countries have material support. On the other hand, they need to face the extremely high competition in school, instruction practices and sport activities. To escape such pressure, youths may choose to take drugs to obtain pleasure, youths may choose to take drugs to obtain pleasure, have relaxing moments, and sometimes completely loose consciousness. The whole theme of "Drug Abuse" is reinforced with black and white also reflects the negative consequences of drug abuse: drug addiction, the harmful effect on the health, and the negative disturbance of normal life. Definitely, the addicted youths break their parent's hearts. The skinny adolescent reflects her unfavourable health condition. Her unconsciousness reflects the drug overdose threatening her life. The skinny hand searching for drugs indicates he severity of addiction after she regains consciousness. The searching of drugs by her skinny hand indicates the youth is trapped in the negative cycle of drug addition. The ultimate goal of the "Drug Abuse" is: to arouse people's awareness of drug addiction, to remind parents not only give adolescents material support but also to care for their emotion health.
Peggy Chan
