LOI – Stereotypes of Drug Addiciton - 15 November 2011

LOI – Stereotypes of Drug Addiciton - 15 November 2011

Aruna asked us in class today to do a short LOI on her comment that she used to do drugs and how there is stereotypes around people who do drugs. I can admit that I found myself wondering about the addiction she had. Mostly what drugs she took. I am also guilty of thinking yeah right she wasn’t a druggie, there’s no way!

Why did I think these things? I don’t have anything against people who do drugs, some of my good friends do drugs on a regular basis, including some of the drugs that institutions label as hard drugs. I have no problem with them doing these drugs so long as they don’t push them on me. So why, when Aruna says she used to do drugs, did I start making assumptions in my head, start wondering about the addiction. Because society put an emphasis on its drug problem, and has stereotypes placed on those who use drugs, I did this almost subconsciously.

Why couldn’t I see Aruna taking drugs in her past? Maybe because society does have such stereotypes of drug users. These stereotypes include being poor, not being successful, not being able to hold a job, etc. I don’t think Aruna follows any of these typical stereotypes, nor do I think every person who uses drugs follows the stereotypes. Yet they’re still embedded in my mind.

No doubt some people develop a drug addiction that end up ruining their life but that’s certainly just a small percentage of drug users. I think the government and popular media outlets like to make a big deal about drugs and imbed such stereotypes in society such to deter people from developing an addiction to the illegal substances.

I didn’t like that I started thinking the way I did when Aruna told the class about the drugs she used to take. Like I said, I have no problem with people who use illegal substances for any reason. It could be that because Aruna is in a leadership position, an authoritative figure, and is successful that these feelings and thoughts crept up. I guess her sharing this information was something I had never thought before. Sure some of my friends use drugs, and some other people I know do as well, but never has someone in the position as Aruna told me that they have done drugs. Maybe my ideology is that people in the teaching position are goody goods so to speak. I remember in Junior High when I first found out that some of my teachers were going out for beers I was shocked because I didn’t think teachers did that. From Aruna sharing this information I have changed my perspective a little and made me think of why I think the way I do.