The Molly Epidemic

I decided to search the phrase “molly epidemic” and came up with about 415,000 results in .26 seconds. I thought this was an extremely large amount of information on the subject in such a short period of time, which I believe is due to the fact that the drug has become more popular in today’s world. It is now often mentioned in certain songs, (popped a Molly I’m sweating, ooh) and seems to be used more so by individuals in the high school and college age range. Molly is a form of the drug MDMA, which is the chemical found in ecstasy. Some of its symptoms include euphoria, anxiety, chills, and interferes with a person’s ability to regulate body temperature, which can lead to hypothermia.

            The theme in the five sources I found regarding the “molly epidemic” is consistent within each article: it is a dangerous drug that seems to becoming an increasing problem among teenagers and young adults.  It is an epidemic because more and more people are trying the drug and having little regard for the consequences. This, I believe, is a valid theme because it has become so popular even though a large majority of the time a Molly is mixed with other types of drugs, which is extremely dangerous.  I feel like the media has taken this attitude towards the drug because not only is it extremely dangerous, it has become so frequent in use with the younger people of our generation. Since it is almost a “hot topic” at the moment, the media has used this fact to be able to bring information on the subject, which is currently an issue in our society today.

            In relation to the class, MDMA is a schedule 1 controlled substance, and as we learned, is a substance that has a high abuse liability, with no approved medical use, and no level of acceptable safety when using the drug. This classification in itself shows how the dangerous the drug is, which exactly lines up with the themes expressed in the online sources about the use of the drug.

Through A Blue Lens

The most memorable part of the film, “Through A Blue Lens”, would have to be Nicola’s comment at the end of the video, in which she talked about the difference between the mental and physical pain of her drug addiction. Nicola was a drug addict who the officers in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver had come to form relationship with because she was seen frequently in this area. We found out Nicola had become addicted to drugs at the age of 15, when a much older gentleman exposed her to drugs and after that first it, she had become addicted to them up until the point which she was in now; in her 40s. Nicola mentioned at the end of the video that the physical abuse and pain that comes with being addicted to drugs is something she can take, yet the mental abuse and torment is what will push someone over the edge. She talked about once a person seriously gets tired of the mental battle that comes along with being an addict, is only when they will truly be able to make a change away from the lifestyle. I thought the point she made was extremely interesting because just looking from the outside as a person not addicted to drugs, I see how much of a strain drugs can physically leave on a person and essentially, leave them unrecognizable. This, it seems, would be enough to make someone want to turn away from drug use but after really thinking about Nicola’s comment, I realized that no matter what it is in life, if a person is not in the mental state to actually want to make change in their lives, this change will never occur despite what tangible consequences and repercussions are evident.

 Hi. Ciao. Hallo.

            My name is Giulia Farrior (pronounced Jew-lee-uh, because I know you’re probably wondering), and am a fourth year Criminology Major, with a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. I am originally from Miami, Florida, and the oldest of four. My dad is African-American and my mom is Swiss Italian. I have been fortunate to have gone to Europe many times to visit my family, as I have relatives in Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. I love being mixed and having such a diverse family background.

            After I graduate this semester from the University of Florida, I wish to attend law school somewhere far, far from Gainesville. I am applying to law schools in California with a hope for a change of scenery. As of right now, I do wish to specialize in criminal law.  I would be content with working for a firm, an organization like the Innocence Project, or even a company that worked with punishing  individuals who are a part of the child human sex trafficking trade within the United States. I have a passion for children, especially young girls.  I mean, who doesn’t want to change the world?

                                     

           The title of this course intrigued me, and I heard that you were a nice professor, which also greatly influenced me in signing up for this class. (No one wants to have a crazy professor their last semester before graduation).  In regards to decriminalization and criminalization of drugs, I guess I can talk about marijuana, as it is a popular topic now in this country. If you had asked me five years ago if marijuana should be legalized I would have said no, but I feel like because it has become almost social norm now and arguments for it have been more widely discussed in this country, I would be indifferent if it became legalized or not.

           Some fun facts about me include I have two horses back home, and have been horseback riding since I was in grade school. I am obsessed with Vanilla Chai Tea to the point I believe in which it actually seeps from my pores, and my dad was on the television show, "The Price Is Right" and actually won the whole showcase back when he was in college. (a very true story, I have the embarrassing video to back it up).

  Well until next time...