Content Warning: discussion of drug abuse

I do not think Euphoria is a perfect show. I think the over-stylization and the fact it is on HBO gives it a false sense of artistic importance. I enjoy watching it, but I think the over-hyped nature of Euphoria has led people to label it as better than it is. That being said, according to DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Euphoria makes me inject heroin into my veins whilst watching just because Rue (Zendaya) does. Of course, this is nonsense. I think that DARE’s criticisms overlook the point – Rue is shown to be deeply unhappy in her addiction. The show does not glamorize her sadness; it shows the damaging effects it has on her and the people around her.

Euphoria has ignited controversy in recent weeks over creator Sam Levinson’s sole writing credit on every episode of season two so far. He has reportedly fallen out with Barbie Ferreira which led him to reduce her role. I think this controversy is justified to an extent, as nobody will ever know what really happened on set. I do not have a problem with attacks on Levinson’s character because it does not undermine Euphoria to the degree that DARE has.

I understand why DARE is saying that Euphoria ‘chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviours as common and widespread in today’s world.’ Any show as popular as Euphoria has a duty to its audiences to ensure they know these actions should not be replicated. Zendaya did this before the show started the second season, and again before the airing of the particularly distressing episode five. This is all she can do. Zendaya cannot control who watches. By now, the show is known for dealing with sensitive issues such as drugs.

Zendaya’s statement that Euphoria is not a ‘moral tale’ is correct. The show has never presented itself as such. Not every show aimed at teenagers needs to preach them a lesson – if anything, I think this would put young adults off of the show entirely. Euphoria is right to put trust in its young viewers. I think DARE is wrongly assuming people’s inability to see a character’s wrongdoings. We are in the age of anti-heroes in television. Just because Rue is played by a popular actress does not necessarily mean people will start injecting heroin or popping pills.

The only accurate aspect of the DARE quote is the over-stylized cinematography and general look of Euphoria. Creator Sam Levinson’s consistently beautiful look he gives the show is arguably the biggest strength of Euphoria, which I think at times blunts the impact of Rue’s drug abuse. The ending scene in Episode Four in the church sticks out in my mind, as I think it felt more in service of the style, but I do not think this glorified her drug abuse, because she was clearly upset and alone. The decision to show Rue dancing on her own as the final image enforces Euphoria’s commitment to showing the realities of her situation, even if it leans on style a bit too much in some ways.

I do not think there is a show in recent times that has invited such divided opinion as Euphoria. To some, the show seems to create controversy, which feeds into the popular culture around the show and keeps it in the general conversation. Controversies will continue to grow the longer the show goes on. I see Euphoria as Skins for a new generation. Both of these shows refuse to talk down to teenagers. I think any drug prevention body is going to be frightened of the influence a show like Euphoria has, much like Skins had.

I think DARE fails to understand that unfortunately, if teenagers want to do drugs, they are going to do them regardless of how Euphoria presents them. I think a show like this has a lot of power for good, and the fact that DARE is worried about glorification is a positive sign that Euphoria is doing its job. Euphoria cannot directly educate. I think what it can do is depict the terrible impact of drugs to the harshest extremes possible. Glorification cannot be misinterpreted as reality.

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