Creatives have over the years found diverse ways to express their love for drugs and how it makes them feel. The creativity in how they profess their love for these drugs has created an excitement around these drugs. From music, movies, poetry, photography to art, we have seen drugs become a prominent social lifestyle. However, the presentation of these drugs through art may consciously or unconsciously influence people to use through their depiction of drugs in their art form.
In a recent phenomenon, Ghanaian social platforms were flooded with “Wonnim Red” videos where people were highly intoxicated from taking 225 tramadol drugs. This came off the back of a line in Sa Me by Reggie, O’Kenneth, XlimKid & City Boy where YGA O’Kenneth on his shares the challenges he faces trying manoeuvre life. While the song does not promote the use of the drug, the artists have by their inaction not helped their case. Their inaction has raised a lot of concerns which this writer finds disturbing.
Art is a very powerful tool which can influence anyone who consumes it. Additionally creatives themselves find themselves in a position where people look up to them and emulate their lifestyle. As such what they depict through their art and social media platforms are bound to be picked up by their followers.
The “Wonnim Red” situation is but one of the many instances where we have seen fans engage in unhealthy habits off the back of someone’s art. There are very few times we have seen creatives come out to condemn the actions of fans. On other occasions these creatives have stayed silent as people do all sorts of things. Perhaps these creatives do not speak because they would rather see patronage of their art soar instead of saving lives.
One may argue that creatives should not be blamed for how people interpret their art. While this may be true, blame can be laid at their feet if they watch on as a misinterpretation of their art causes one to abuse any substance. In a period where substance intake is becoming a popular practice, it falls on everyone to ensure people are not driven into addiction.
This writer is by no means judging anyone for dabbling in one substance or the other but rather drawing the attention of people especially creatives that they have a platform and influence which sometimes means when they speak, people would listen. At what point do creatives recognize that their art carries a lot of influence and how they wield this influence is really important. What they create has earned them a community of consumers but if your art is causing people to abuse drugs, when do you take a stance against abuse? Is there a way you can call out abuse without harming the relationship with your audience? As mentioned earlier, it is rare to see creatives whose art promotes a certain lifestyle come out to discourage such lifestyle when things take a turn for the worse.
With social practices like 420 becoming ever so popular, it is imperative that while we create a frenzy around the pop culture celebration, we also keep an eye out to discourage abuse of it. While we create art to express our love and excitement for these substances, we should also spare some art to educate people and discourage the abuse and addiction of drugs.
Written by Nana Kojo Mula.
Art by Morganite.art
