Media constructions of illegal drugs, users, and sellers: a closer look at Traffic

This essay examines how the entertainment media constructs illegal drugs, users, and sellers. As well, it explores how television and movie producers are awarded for depicting ‘correct’ images of illegal drugs, users and sellers. The second half of the paper discusses the British made for television mini-series ‘Traffik’, and the later U.S. production ‘Traffic’. Six ‘war on drugs’ myths depicted in the U.S. film ‘Traffic’ are examined with a focus on race, class, and gender issues.