Many Popular Songs Reference Substance Abuse

Chances are, if your children have earbuds plugged in, every third song they listen to contain references to some form of substance abuse, usually in a positive way, according to a study of the most popular 279 songs of 2005. If they are listening to Rap music, their chances of hearing references to substance abuse more than doubles.

New research new research presented at the American Public Health Association's Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C. last week analyzed the top songs of 2005, as listed by Billboard magazine. The study found that allusions to subtance abuse varied according to the genre of music:

• 77 percent, Rap music
  
• 37 percent, country music
  
• 20 percent, R&B / Hip-hop
  
• 14 percent, rock
  
• 9 percent, pop music

According to the researchers, alcohol and marijuana were the most referenced in the 279 songs. They also found that in a majority of cases, substance abuse was portrayed in a positive light, rather than a negative one. Substance abuse was linked to partying, sex, violence, humor and money in many cases.

"Previous research has shown that exposure to substance use messages in media is linked to actual substance use in adolescents," said Brian A. Primack, MD, EdM, lead researcher on the study, in a news release. "That is why we need to be aware of exposures such as these, especially when they are associated with highly positive consequences and associations."

The research was presented Nov. 7, 2007 at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting & Exposition.

More Information:

• Is Your Child Using Drugs or Alcohol?
  
• How Will Your Child Drink?
  
• Tips for Parents

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