Does Euphoria Glorify Drug Use?

Euphoria is a popular TV show that highlights the effects of drug use, how it affects your relationships, and how society perceives you. However, the show portrays drug use in a somewhat positive light. For example, even though Rue, an addicted 17-year-old goes through an overdose and relapse she is still able to live somewhat of a relatively good life; she makes friends throughout the two seasons and keeps old friends even after she, towards the end of season 2, has a breakdown going through withdrawal and lashes out at her friends and family. A couple of episodes later she meets up with Eliot, her friend who is also an addict. Eliot forgives Rue relatively quickly, acknowledging they aren’t good for each other but holds no grudge against her. In the real world, this would never happen, especially because of the severity of Rue’s outburst. The show also doesn’t show how drug use can take an extreme toll on your body, there are no signs of skin issues while Rue is using heroin, a drug that can cause flare-ups all over. 

I believe Euphoria does not glorify drug abuse. Euphoria shows the side effects of drugs such as losing friends, having damaged relationships, being made fun of, people losing their trust in you, and thinking you’re unreliable. It also shows that you might want to get help but not like it at the same time, because you’re so comfortable with your addiction or use. It also shows that drugs worsen mental illness with the main character, Rue, because your brain is constantly on something that is not your true state of mind. Rue voiced that because of drugs, your mind is either racing or blank. It does not glorify drug use at all and also shows the negative side of the subject.