"They said it wasn't a gateway drug."
This is the first line in Macklemore's new song "Drug Dealer." From the beginning you know you are going to see a different side of the artist, he will not be joking about thrift shops or mopeds. As a matter of fact, this much darker side of Macklemore, speaks volumes about today's society.
Over the past decade or so, society has become much more understanding about drug addiction being a mental illness. The song takes a deeper look into what is causing the drug epidemic that is sweeping the nation today, and spoiler alert it isn't a man dressed in dark clothes standing in an alley. In reality, it's typically a well-dressed man or woman wearing a white coat.
Doctors serve to help heal people of both physical and mental ailments; however, sometimes they’re prescribing their patient to a lifetime of sickness. No one wakes up one day and says “I’m going to become a drug addict today.” Instead, you make a doctor’s appointment to seek help for the chronic pain, depression, or concentration issues. The medications they’re prescribed to have a high addiction rate, but the doctor won’t tell you that. The doctor will write the prescription then receive a check for endorsing the medicine they prescribed.
Eventually, you’ll get cut off, either by the doctor or your bank account. That’s when you will start searching for the street drugs because they can be cheaper and more accessible. At this point, if you haven’t lost everything already, soon enough you will.
This is a common scenario for so many drug addicts. However, it isn’t always seen this way. Society still loves to turn the other cheek when encountering a drug addict. This isn’t Macklemore’s first time trying to get the attention of his listener’s either. Another song “Kevin” speaks of the issues behind addiction and overdose. So props to you, Macklemore for trying to get people to address an issue so many turn away from and speaking the words that so many others won’t.
You can read the lyrics and watch the music video for yourself here.
