The activities included here are only suggestions.  You may wish to adapt these for the students in your class.  Some of the questions might be best addressed in small group discussions or in a form of classroom debate; you may wish to extend others to include a specific action or participation in a campaign.  Obviously, it is important to use those activities that best suit the students and the curriculum. 

PART I

1.      During the first section of the video, several musicians are asked about their attitudes toward drug use.  According to several of the musicians interviewed here, what is the attraction to drugs based on?  What reasons do they give for their own drug use?  What were the consequences of this behaviour for them?

2.      “Sex, drugs and rock and roll”.  Several musicians speak of the image of rock and roll that has been created over time, and the expectations that audiences have for musicians to live up to that image. 

a)     How do musicians describe the image of rock and roll?  Do you agree with their description?  State examples to support your opinion.

b)    What are the expectations that some musicians felt they had to live up to?  Do you agree that audiences expect musicians to live according to a certain image?  What is more important in music—image or reality?  Style or substance?

c)     Where can you find examples of the rebellious image of the rock musician?  Who do you think is responsible for creating the image that we see in the media?  How is this image constructed?  What are the codes and conventions (key ingredients) that are part of this construction?  What values are communicated to audiences as a result?  What impact do you think these values would have on audiences?

3.      Ryan Adams, Gene Simons and Bryan Adams talk about the problems that they believe are associated with drug use, and why they themselves have never used drugs.  Discuss the points that they make here.  What are their attitudes toward their work in the music industry?  What are their priorities as artists?  What do they think drugs become an excuse for? 

PART II

4.      According to the video, several successful artists throughout history have used drugs, although many critics are quick to point out that these artists were lucky enough to become successful in spite of their drug use. 

5.      Several artists discuss the impact of drug use on creativity and on their ability to become successful musicians.  What are some of the points made here?  Consider the comments made by members of Oasis, Scott Weiland of Iggy Pop, Steve Earle and Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip.  Discuss the impact of their comments and their advice.  What are some of the influences that have tempted some musicians to try drugs?

6.      Describe the effects of marijuana use as listed in the video.  Does it matter to you whether or not your favourite artist is a drug user?  Do certain musicians make drug use seem appealing?  If a popular artist used drugs, would that make people want to try drugs as well?

PART III

7.      Some artists discuss the idea of marijuana as a “gateway” drug.  What does that mean?  What are the various views of marijuana use?  Where do some people believe that marijuana could lead users?

8.      The use of cocaine was popular with some musicians in the ‘70s and ‘80s.  Several musicians discuss their experiences of having used this drug.  What comments are shared by David Bowie, Mic Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks?  What are the long term effects of cocaine use? 

9.      Steve Earle talks about his drug use and subsequent arrest in 1994.  What impact did his arrest have on him?  How does he describe the effect of drugs on his life?

10.  Neil Young is one artist, among others, who has written songs about the troubles associated with substance abuse. Listen to the music, read the lyrics, and if possible watch the videos of Neil Young, or another artist, which you believe convey an important message about drug use.  What statement is the musician making?  Is this message effective?  Explain.  What aspects of the lyrics or the video (vocabulary, imagery) do you find especially powerful?  Explain your response. 

11. What are the effects of heroin on a user?  What do many artists see heroin and other drug use as a symptom of?  What do they believe should be done to combat drug use?

PART IV

12.  List the artists and musicians who died as a result of drug or alcohol abuse.  What are these artists best remembered for—their music or their lifestyle?

13. Alice Cooper talks about his abuse of alcohol, and says that he would have completely avoided drinking, had he known the effect it would have on his life.  He believes it is the worst drug of all.  Why does he say this?  Do you agree with him?  Explain your response. 

14. What advice do the artists in this segment give to the audience?  What lessons have they learned from substance abuse?  What lessons do you think are important for young people today?  Explain.

PART V

15. What is rock and roll?  How do artists believe we should define rock and roll?

16.What do they think is important for people to realize about drug use and its effects?  What are the important messages that you think viewers should take away from this program? 

17.  The video begins with a discussion about the image of rock and roll being about “rebellion”.  Are there alternatives to this image and the messages associated with it?  Select song lyrics that support the advice given by the musicians interviewed here.  Describe specific examples of music that you think can give people courage when dealing with difficulties associated with substance abuse.  Is it possible for music to influence people’s beliefs or actions?  Explain with examples.

18.  Write a letter to one of the musicians interviewed in this piece.  What other questions would you have for them?  What else would you want to know about their lives? 

19.  What impact does this program have on your understanding of substance abuse and the music industry?   

20.  If you were to put together a public service announcement about drug or alcohol use for young people today, what would you include?  What celebrities would you want to be a part of it?  What information from this video would you include?  What key message would you want to convey?

Develop an outline for a public service campaign on use of drugs and alcohol. Develop an outline for a print ad, as well as a storyboard for a televised PSA, as part of your campaign.  Determine your objectives, and develop creative and technical strategies for achieving your goals.  Consider who your target audience is, the message you want to convey to them, and the production techniques required.  

21. Research the addiction centres in your area that provide assistance for people struggling with substance abuse.  What programs are available?  Explain the support that is offered to people who are dealing with drug or alcohol addiction. 

Biography:

Carolyn Wilson is a teacher, author, consultant and President of the Association for Media Literacy in Ontario, Canada.  Co-author of the best selling textbook, Mass Media and Popular Culture, Version 2, she has given presentations across Canada, and in Austria, Brazil, Costa Rica, Greece and the United States. 

In 1998, on behalf of the Association for Media Literacy, she accepted an award for “The Most Influential Media Organization in North America” from the World Council on Media Education.  Carolyn teaches Media Literacy, World Development and English at St. Michael Secondary School in Stratford, Ontario.  She is also the CHUM media education consultant for the London Public Library, which houses the first Media Literacy Centre of its kind in North America.

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