1. The fundamental idea of the documentary film "Through a Blue Lens" is to send a powerful message and raise awareness of risks and dangers of drug abuse and, consequently, to prevent people from abusing drugs and similar substances. The first example supporting this hypothesis is the scene in the beginning of the film where a police demonstrates consequences of drug abuse to a class of young students. Another example is that the film incorporates a real footage shot of drug addicts in the Vancouver's downtown and demonstrates the facts and realia of life in the streets. The third most powerful example is that the documentary explains the story of every subject, with a particular focus on how every individual went to such an extreme and got into this mess. In actual fact, none of the subjects ever thought of becoming a drug addict and ending up dwelling under the canopy.
2. I was truly impressed by the story of Carlee, a 40-year old woman, who has been taking drugs since she was 15. In actual fact, she has used drugs for more than half of her life. I picked this individual because her story was one of the most touching and heart-rending. She used to have everything as she was born in a rich family. She had an amazing opportunity to travel all over the world and see different countries in Europe, including France, Italy, and Greece. Her parent exerted every effort to help the girl to overcome her addiction but she came back to drug abuse over and over again.
When she was asked whether she wants to overcome her drug addiction, Carlee made a very interesting point, "I want to quit. If I had a choice between a million dollars and never wanting to do cocaine again, I would choose never wanting to do cocaine again" ("Through a Blue Lens", 1999). What really strikes me is that this woman completely realizes her distressful situation and thinks that there is no way out of it. What I learned from this person is that any of us, regardless of our education, social status or material prosperity of our families, may find himself/herself in the mire and end up being a homeless drug addict.
3. In my opinion, educating children, teenagers, and high school kids on the health and mental hazards of drug addiction is the matter of paramount importance of the 21st century. Therefore, the police did the right thing in making this powerful documentary in order to raise awareness of risks and dangers of drug abuse among young people. As of today, there are numerous programs implemented in the society to help with the drug abuse problem. According to the report "Preventing drug use among children and adolescents" (2005), since the beginning of the 21st century, the fundamental prevention research program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) "has more than doubled in size and scope to address all stages of child development, a mix of audiences and settings, and the delivery of effective services at the community level". Such prevention programs and strategies somewhat vary from country to country. However, the fundamental objectives of these programs have much in common.
For instance, city of Vancouver has recently implemented Vancouver's Four Pillars Drug Strategy, which is "a coordinated, comprehensive approach that balances public order and public health in order to create a safer, healthier community" (qtd. in Vancouver.ca).
4. Strang et al. (2007) makes a point that drug abuse causes not only health dangers but also a wide range of social problems for drug addicts, including fights with their loved ones. Therefore, if you want to help your loved one addicted to drugs, you have to be prepared that all your efforts relinquish drug addiction will be extremely challenging and that this individual, convinced that the problem does not exist, is likely to reject your help.
In the first place, I would recommend not to pressure your loved one addicted to drugs and help him believe in himself/herself and in the strength of his/her will. Secondly, I would advice to employ psychological tactics, such as watching documentary films on drug abuse and its consequences or even visiting places where homeless drug addicts usually stay in order to demonstrate the possible consequences of drug addition to your loved one.
However, if the above-mentioned principles do not work and a drug addict is not able to get over drug addiction by his/her own efforts, I would recommend to persuade him/her to undergo a course of treatment and make him/her realize the crucial importance of such measure.
References
Four Pillars drug strategy. (2012, April 30). Retrieved February 27, 2016, from http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/four-pillars-drug-strategy.aspx
Mannix, V. A. (Director). (2010, November 11). Through a Blue Lens [Video file]. Retrieved February 27, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwFRsfATaag
National Film Board of Canada
Preventing drug use among children and adolescents. A research-based guide for parents, educators, and community leaders : In brief. (2nd ed.). (2005). Bethesda, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Strang, J., Connolly, D., Day, E., Farrell, M., Gerada, C., Gilvarry, E., & Myles, J. (2007). Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management. London: Dept. of Health.
