DS Forums

 
 

Should EastEnders tackle drugs?


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 25-01-2015, 02:37
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491

In my other post on future storylines, someone suggested that EE should do something about drugs. Seeing as drug-related deaths have been on the increase in recent years, a storyline about a young resident dying from ecstasy at a rave could be significant. Let's say for eg. a group of youngsters (Ben, Jay, Lola, Zsa Zsa, Fatboy, Nancy, Lee, Whitney, Abi, Liam, Cindy, Paul, Mark Jr, Danny Butcher) went to a warehouse near Gallions Reach station in East London (you know, let's make it realistic) and Zsa Zsa, Lola or Whitney died and say Ben was responsible for supplying the drugs. It would be very significant and could even change attitudes on drugs. It could be significant.
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 25-01-2015, 02:43
GlassBalloon
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Dublin
Posts: 2,534
I wouldn't like to see another young resident die so soon after Lucy (especially as that was also drug related). EE's last big drug sl was Phil Mitchell afaik so I wouldn't be adverse to seeing Ben follow in his footsteps and how Phil reacts.
GlassBalloon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 02:51
Pink_Smurf
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Posts: 6,362
I was thinking it's a bit soon after the Lucy death storyline for another young character to die, especially if it's drug related. However there could be a heroin addiction storyline where the addict goes to a methadone clinic and finds out they have hepatitis C which is very common among injecting addicts. There is a stigma around heroin where other drugs like cocaine or ecstasy are seen as socially acceptable. Emmerdale have done a legal high story which was short lived but OK.
Pink_Smurf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:17
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491
I wouldn't like to see another young resident die so soon after Lucy (especially as that was also drug related). EE's last big drug sl was Phil Mitchell afaik so I wouldn't be adverse to seeing Ben follow in his footsteps and how Phil reacts.
Lucy's death wasn't drug-related, it was murder and a haemorrhage to the brain. Seeing Ben turn into an addict would be too predictable and boring.
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:20
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491
I was thinking it's a bit soon after the Lucy death storyline for another young character to die, especially if it's drug related. However there could be a heroin addiction storyline where the addict goes to a methadone clinic and finds out they have hepatitis C which is very common among injecting addicts. There is a stigma around heroin where other drugs like cocaine or ecstasy are seen as socially acceptable. Emmerdale have done a legal high story which was short lived but OK.
We've had enough heroin storylines with Rainie and Nick. This is about EastEnders highlighting the issue of drug-related deaths due to young people going to raves and parties and dying as a result of dodgy drugs. Another young character to die? Boohoo! Old characters die all the time, I don't think age should be the deciding factor at all. EastEnders would be the first soap to tackle drug-related deaths and would be applauded for it.
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:23
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491
What if the victim was a male character and instead of Ben being responsible, it was Zsa Zsa Carter?
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:29
llgx
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: North West
Posts: 1,578
What if the victim was a male character and instead of Ben being responsible, it was Zsa Zsa Carter?
She's not in the show though..? I doubt people would take to the storyline if it wasn't an established character.
llgx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:43
Tesphen
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,397
Yes. A moralising, condescending drugs related storyline is exactly what EastEnders needs. Ecstasy is far less harmfull than tobacco or alcohol and those who use it are far less likely to become dependent on it than they are tobacoo or alcohol but it should definately be presented as a terrifying and dangerous dose of death. That will certainly make EastEnders and the BBC appear informed and in touch with today's youth and the many people who occaisionally take ecstasy fully aware and informed of the few risks there are. That will not come off as patronising at all.
Tesphen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:54
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491
Yes. A moralising, condescending drugs related storyline is exactly what EastEnders needs. Ecstasy is far less harmfull than tobacco or alcohol and those who use it are far less likely to become dependent on it than they are tobacoo or alcohol but it should definately be presented as a terrifying and dangerous dose of death. That will certainly make EastEnders and the BBC appear informed and in touch with today's youth and the many people who occaisionally take ecstasy fully aware and informed of the few risks there are. That will not come off as patronising at all.
Firstly, learn to actually spell. Secondly, I'm a liberal on drugs policy. Drugs should, in my view, be regulated with a ban on consumption in public places and sale to minors. The problem is that under prohibition, people who use drugs recreationally don't know what they are taking. EastEnders showing this issue and showing how drug-related deaths actually do happen which is why drugs policy needs reform would be socially enlightening. I'm sorry you we're quick enough to realise that.
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 03:55
RIP_Emma
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 491
She's not in the show though..? I doubt people would take to the storyline if it wasn't an established character.
Meh, she should be on the show and I reckon she will be soon. Introduce her and get her involved in the storyline. Not difficult. Oh, btw, Matt di Angelo took the rape storyline. That's just a fatuous objection.
RIP_Emma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 04:03
Pink_Smurf
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Posts: 6,362
Yes. A moralising, condescending drugs related storyline is exactly what EastEnders needs. Ecstasy is far less harmfull than tobacco or alcohol and those who use it are far less likely to become dependent on it than they are tobacoo or alcohol but it should definately be presented as a terrifying and dangerous dose of death. That will certainly make EastEnders and the BBC appear informed and in touch with today's youth and the many people who occaisionally take ecstasy fully aware and informed of the few risks there are. That will not come off as patronising at all.
I agree with you including the BIB. People are much more likely to die from smoking tobacco or having a drink problem than from taking ecstasy. Also it's not only young people who use ecstasy. It's been around for years and a fair number of older people have the occasional E or bag of MDMA and related drugs. People are definitely less likely to become dependent on Es compared with fags, booze, heroin, crack or cocaine and some prescription drugs. Using ecstasy doesn't lead to infectious diseases unless you're crazy and inject it. (Crushed pills mixed with water can be injected but it will mess your veins up). People injecting heroin are highly likely to contract and pass on diseases like hepatitis which is a big problem and can kill. The number of people dying from using E is much smaller. Granted hep can kill decades after infection but it still causes deadly liver illness.
Pink_Smurf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 04:10
Pink_Smurf
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Posts: 6,362
Firstly, learn to actually spell. Secondly, I'm a liberal on drugs policy. Drugs should, in my view, be regulated with a ban on consumption in public places and sale to minors. The problem is that under prohibition, people who use drugs recreationally don't know what they are taking. EastEnders showing this issue and showing how drug-related deaths actually do happen which is why drugs policy needs reform would be socially enlightening. I'm sorry you we're quick enough to realise that.
A ban on consumption in public places? Like that's going to stop anyone! It's illegal and still it's used a lot in public places. Part of the fun in going to a club or party is using drugs. It's not just E that has dodgy chemicals in it so why E specifically for Eastenders? Drugs that are injected ie heroin which are cut with rubbish are just as bad. If drugs are to be legal to possess why not all drugs?
Pink_Smurf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 04:28
Tesphen
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,397
Firstly, learn to actually spell.
Did my few misspellings confuse you? Did they make it difficult for you to understand what I was trying to say? No? Then **** you.

Secondly, I'm a liberal on drugs policy. Drugs should, in my view, be regulated with a ban on consumption in public places and sale to minors. The problem is that under prohibition, people who use drugs recreationally don't know what they are taking. EastEnders showing this issue and showing how drug-related deaths actually do happen which is why drugs policy needs reform would be socially enlightening. I'm sorry you we're quick enough to realise that.
Then perhaps you should have clarified the purpose of such a storyline in the OP. Also, use one of the many "party drug" legal highs. New ones are being manufactured all the time - faster than the government can legislate against them - and people are always dying of the awful things.
Tesphen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 04:38
Pink_Smurf
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Posts: 6,362
Did my few misspellings confuse you? Did they make it difficult for you to understand what I was trying to say? No? Then **** you.



Then perhaps you should have clarified the purpose of such a storyline in the OP. Also, use one of the many "party drug" legal highs. New ones are being manufactured all the time - faster than the government can legislate against them - and people are always dying of the awful things.
Agreed. It wasn't made clear in the OP that you wanted a storyline with a view to decriminalising drugs. Again why just ecstasy and not other drugs? People of all ages use all sorts of drugs each so it's not just a young person's pastime. I agree about legal highs however Emmerdale have just done it.
Pink_Smurf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 09:37
stick_of_rock
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,430
Not sure how you think a storyline involving a drugs related death would 'change attitudes'. Surely that would just reinforce the belief that drugs are bad and you'll die after one pill?

If EE really wanted to change perceptions of drug use, they should show characters taking ecstacy and it having no adverse effects whatsoever- that is what happens in the vast majority of cases after all. This never would happen, though, as I imagine EE can't br seen to be glamorising drug use..
stick_of_rock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 09:57
srhgts
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,564
Firstly, learn to actually spell. Secondly, I'm a liberal on drugs policy. Drugs should, in my view, be regulated with a ban on consumption in public places and sale to minors. The problem is that under prohibition, people who use drugs recreationally don't know what they are taking. EastEnders showing this issue and showing how drug-related deaths actually do happen which is why drugs policy needs reform would be socially enlightening. I'm sorry you we're quick enough to realise that.
There's no need to be so rude. I presume you meant to say "weren't" as opposed to "we're," by the way.


Not sure how you think a storyline involving a drugs related death would 'change attitudes'. Surely that would just reinforce the belief that drugs are bad and you'll die after one pill?

If EE really wanted to change perceptions of drug use, they should show characters taking ecstacy and it having no adverse effects whatsoever- that is what happens in the vast majority of cases after all. This never would happen, though, as I imagine EE can't br seen to be glamorising drug use..
I agree.
srhgts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 10:24
little-monster
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30,200
I would of liked Peter's drug taking to have descended into something darker, but it was all wrapped up in a sweet little bow in a matter of episodes.
little-monster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 10:28
Bathsheba
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North East England
Posts: 6,289
Who is Danny Butcher?
Bathsheba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:10
Adrian_Ward1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Plymouth Devon
Posts: 12,497
Roxy becoming a drug addict again. Rita Simons would kill.it.
Adrian_Ward1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:25
Bathsheba
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North East England
Posts: 6,289
Roxy becoming a drug addict again. Rita Simons would kill.it.
Did she used to be one?

EE has done drug storylines a few times. Didn't Donna die of an overdose back in the 80s? Then there was Nick Cotton, Rainie and Phil as addicts. I think Aidan almost overdosed on Ecstacy back in the 90s too?
Bathsheba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:27
little-monster
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30,200
Did she used to be one?

EE has done drug storylines a few times. Didn't Donna die of an overdose back in the 80s? Then there was Nick Cotton, Rainie and Phil as addicts. I think Aidan almost overdosed on Ecstacy back in the 90s too?
Back in Ibiza she was. I think that was why her and Ronnie moved away to Albert Square.
little-monster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:29
Adrian_Ward1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Plymouth Devon
Posts: 12,497
Back in Ibiza she was. I think that was why her and Ronnie moved away to Albert Square.


Think that's right . Think they should definitely revisit Roxy's past.
Adrian_Ward1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:29
Stube
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 15,389
Roxy becoming a drug addict again. Rita Simons would kill.it.
Yes! She'd be amazing.
Stube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:31
Bathsheba
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North East England
Posts: 6,289
Back in Ibiza she was. I think that was why her and Ronnie moved away to Albert Square.
Ah right. I think I wasn't watching for about a year when Ronnie & Roxy first appeared.
Bathsheba is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25-01-2015, 11:34
little-monster
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30,200
Think that's right . Think they should definitely revisit Roxy's past.
They could bring back her ex Damian. Who had a brief stint back when they first entered the show as he followed her from Ibiza to Albert Square. Roxy slept him with to get money to buy R&R, but he realised her plan and left.
little-monster is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 11:48.