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One of the primer changes in comic books today is that they address social issues. Societal issues in cartoon books became commonplace in the last thirty-five years. The redeveloping happened when society made a decision to address social concerns. Some of the cartoon books of today tackle homelessness, drug abuse, minorities, gayness and the homophobic results.

It is important to note that such a slant toward portions of society in comic books make people conscious of alternate ways of living. The idea of homelessness has often been in the front line of humanity but never pictured in comic books. The concept of cartoon books portraying folk living in the streets or in some other apparently insulting means shouldn’t escape notice. Civilization is growing up, even tho slower than what’s required. Comic books reflect what emerges through an underground current and washes into mainstream. Those changes happened slowly, but with the advent of controversial issues being tackled, the changes are happening at an accelerated pace. Today comics mirror what society is thinking. If an issue becomes germane to warrant people’s attention, then the comic book industry will usually incorporate it into their storylines.

An extra critical part to think about in cartoon books is the rampant drug taking. If a person is a drug user, the comic book industry takes notice. The prevailing notion is if it affects society, then it should affect how the comic books echo modern day life. Drug taking is wide-reaching and should be dealt with. What neater way than to integrate it into a comic book. Let the superhero, the baddie, or a standard voter have a drug issue and see how the difficulty is handled. Not all resolutions are handled properly and that’s the realism that makes societal issues in comics crucial. Not even the good guys come out ahead all the time.

The homelessness and the drug use are current day blights. The topic of minorities is dealt with realistic implications. By the same law illegal aliens are minorities and they take great pains to make our culture receptive to both their plights. In a way cartoon books are our watch dogs of our method of life.

Moreover, the idea of homosexuality in comics has had their share of discussion since the public’s perception is skewed by the theological mindset. The subject is discussed, but the comic industry has treaded gently since a comeback could crop up. Despite the long held view that controversial views should not be addressed in a public format, and best left at home, a new prevailing thought has emerged. The comic books of today take torrid subject matters, encase them in a comic book format, then let the paying public decide if their gamble paid off. The result is a new significant way of looking at public perceptions and gain insight to a varying way of looking at those issues.

The comic industry realizes the buyer is the genuine hero. They can judge whether a personality lives or dies. By giving the characters depth and exposing them to real life risks, the comic industry can be assured on continuous readership.

I cannot begin to tell you how sad it makes me to see all those folks who suffer from drug abuse addictions. I sincerely hope that this site will help inspire people to quit their substance addictions or be of supportive of someone they love to quit – without giving up or abandoning them.

Addiction can happen to people from all walks of life, even those who have worked to help others with addictions! Just read some of the stories on this site to understand how true this is.

Abuse addictions are costly in terms of money, time, physical damage to the brain and body – not to mention the emotional havoc wreaked upon both those with an addiction as well as their loved ones.

There is a gentleman in his early twenties who apparently used too much of a particular substance. He now talks to himself, and often believes he is talking on a telephone when in fact he is not. People around me tell me that he was very smart before, excelling in his field of study. Poor kid, I feel sorry for him every time I see him talking to himself. He also walks around avoiding contact with others as he lives in his own little world most of the time. Some say he is getting better. I sure hope he does.

I was listening to the radio the other day and there was a study about carbohydrate addiction. Apparently, food addictions can work in a very similar way to drug and alcohol addictions. They elevate dopamine levels. The resulting ‘down’ after the ‘high’ causes the user to seek the addictive substance again. A high carb and fat addiction is one thing, but in the case of heroin this cycle can happen multiple times per day – quickly destroying the physical resources of the addict.

Another person I know told me the horrifying story of his cocaine addiction. I can not begin to tell you how traumatic his story is. He finally beat that addiction, but went through hell to do so!

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