Moral pressure on celebrities

Albeit the illegal drug use of celebrities remains a small probability event, accounting for a very small percentage of all drug-related cases in China according to the police, the drug use of these celebrities has still aroused public concern about the credibility of these stars. As recognized public figures with outstanding influence and great charisma, celebrities are likely to face increasing skepticism regarding their behavior and integrity due to these fallen idols. Even worse, the subsequent prejudice against a certain group of public figures might even deal a blow to the overall trust in society.

gmw.cn, Aug 20

A consensus should be reached among the entertainment industry, media outlets, and fans of celebrities: all public idols are required to abide by the fundamental ethics of social morality, and shall be temporarily suspended from the show biz if they violate the rules. The Uruguayan soccer player Luis Suarez was punished by FIFA, the F??d??ration Internationale de Football Association, for infamously biting an Italian opponent during a game at this year's World Cup in Brazil. Likewise, to avoid more negative speculation, similar bans should also be imposed on those stars who take drugs.

Nanfang Daily, Aug 20

Two major reasons can explain the recent carnival of celebrities caught using drugs. First, people tend to criticize the drug-using stars by claiming the so-called moral high ground, believing that drug use remains far away from their daily life. Actually, drug use is more common than they think, as nearly 2.6 million people in China are registered drug addicts. In addition, the problem of widespread drug use in rural areas has become a hot issue, with more young people involved due to poverty-oriented pressure.

Second, many see drug use as a personal preference, which has nothing to do with the rest of society. However, drug taking is essentially a sort of recurrent brain disease, and can cause considerable brain damage to an addict. Thus rather than reaping moral pressure on the drug users, the active criticizers should show more sincere care and support to them.

China.org.cn, Aug 19

(China Daily 08/21/2014 page8)