Drugs Code Book

Definition of Illegal Substances

Any direct depictions of drugs, drug use, drug paraphernalia, or drug transactions occurring in the scene. Drugs are considered illegal substances or medications abused. Also coded are drug references: “Let’s get high,” “That guy looks lifted,” etc.

Each drug that appears in the scene is also coded; this includes paraphernalia. Patients taking prescription pills non-recreationally do not count as drug content; however, a character who takes pills with alcohol is abusing the medicine and should be coded. Recreational use of medicine and overdosing are examples of abuse. Medical use is not to be coded. For example, exclude hospital patients or characters medications in their regular use (aspirin for headaches, oral contraceptives, or normal use of mood stabilizers).

Drug Scale:

1 = drug paraphernalia that does not indicate drug use; drug references
2 = drugs seen, bought, or sold, or implied consumption – paraphernalia indicates use
(i.e. used syringes or joint roaches indicate the use of drugs)
3 = drugs consumed, multiple drugs used, or heavy modeling (detail in actions)
4 = drug overdose or more than 3 people using drugs

Drug Consumption – Direct vs. Implied

“Seen” (Direct) use of drugs entails any type of drug being actively consumed (i.e., characters can be seen inhaling, injecting, etc.). Implied use entails drug products being held or appearing in situations where they are being consumed, but the actual act of “drug use” is not directly shown on screen.

Type of Drugs Consumed

Code for each drug that appears in the scene. This includes the paraphernalia. Drugs are considered illegal substances or medications abused. Patients taking prescription pills non-recreationally do not count as drug content; however, a character who takes pills with alcohol is abusing the medicine and should be coded. Recreational use of medicine and overdosing are examples of abuse. Medical use is not to be coded. For example, exclude hospital patients or characters using pills as medications in their regular use (aspirin for headaches, oral contraceptives, or normal use of mood stabilizers, for example)

Refusal of Drugs

A character is offered drugs or presented with drugs and refuses to use them. Refusal of drugs is not considered anti-drug messages.

Anti-Drug Messages

Statements or references to the harmful or addictive nature of (illegal) drugs. Characters make statements telling others not to use drugs, either directly (“don’t use drugs”) or indirectly (“this is your brain on drugs”). Comments about the legality of drugs are not considered anti-drug messages.

Character Overdoses or Dies

A character takes too many / too much drugs, resulting in immediate physical harm (seizures, passing out) which may require medical attention or lead to injury or death.