D.A.R.E. says HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ glamorizes drug use, sex and violence

The Drug Abuse Resistance Schooling program, or D.A.R.E., is asking out HBO’s hit present “Euphoria” for its depiction of drug use, intercourse and violence.

“Euphoria,” which premiered in 2019 and is in its second season, follows Rue (performed by Zendaya), a highschool pupil scuffling with dependancy amid relationships, friendships and her house life.

“Somewhat than additional every mum or dad’s want to maintain their kids protected from the possibly horrific penalties of drug abuse and different high-risk conduct, HBO’s tv drama, ‘Euphoria,’ chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict highschool pupil drug use, dependancy, nameless intercourse, violence, and different damaging behaviors as frequent and widespread in right now’s world,” D.A.R.E. stated in a press release.

Established within the Eighties throughout the Ronald Reagan-era “conflict on medicine,” D.A.R.E. advocates for a zero-tolerance coverage on medicine.

D.A.R.E. stated it wish to seek the advice of with representatives of the present to current its considerations.

“It’s unlucky that HBO, social media, tv program reviewers, and paid promoting have chosen to confer with the present as ‘groundbreaking,’ relatively than recognizing the potential detrimental penalties on college age kids who right now face unparalleled dangers and psychological well being challenges,” the assertion says.

Forward of the second season, Zendaya, who can be an government producer on the sequence, posted a press release on social media warning viewers that the present might be triggering to some and emphasizing that it’s for mature audiences.

“I do know I’ve stated this earlier than, however I do wish to reiterate to everybody that Euphoria is for mature audiences. This season, perhaps much more so than the final, is deeply emotional and offers with material that may be triggering and tough to look at,” Zendaya wrote on Instagram.

She added that viewers ought to “solely watch it when you really feel comfy.”

Zendaya posted an identical warning earlier than the present’s debut in 2019.

“Only a reminder earlier than tonight’s premiere, that Euphoria is for mature audiences. It’s a uncooked and trustworthy portrait of dependancy, anxiousness and the difficulties of navigating life right now,” she wrote. “There are scenes which are graphic, exhausting to look at and may be triggering. Please solely watch when you really feel you may deal with it.”

A disclaimer about psychological well being with a cellphone quantity for the Nationwide Alliance of Psychological Well being runs forward of episodes coping with psychological well being points.

HBO didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.