Framing Theory
The essential feature of substance related and addictive disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) is “a cluster of cognitive, behavioural, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 483). The diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on a pathological pattern of behaviours related to the use of the substance determined by the following groups of criteria: impaired control over substance use; social impairment; risky use of the substance; and pharmacological criteria (APA, 2013). Substance use disorders occur in a range of severity from mild to severe, determined by the number of criteria met by the individual (APA, 2013). Substance use and addictive disorders are chronic health conditions and affected persons remain vulnerable and require long-term and continued treatment (WHO, 2013). However, public perceptions of the rehabilitation of drug-dependent
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persons tend to oversimplify the magnitude of drug dependence (WHO, 2013).
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Drug Report 2015, there has been little change globally in the production, use, and health consequences of illicit drugs. The health consequences are of ample concern due to the vast majority of drug users having no access to treatment. An estimated 246 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 used an illicit drug in 2013 and of those; 27 million people are problem drug users (WHO, 2015). Almost half of those problem drug users inject drugs and an estimated 1.65 million were living with HIV in 2013 (WHO, 2013). This places major stress on the public health system with regards to prevention, treatment and care of drug use and its health consequences (WHO, 2013).
Prior to 1994, the primary substances of misuse in South Africa were alcohol, cannabis, and methaqualone (Pasche and Myers, 2012). With the subsequent reopening of the borders that occurred with the country’s transition into democracy, there has been an influx and growing harm associated with illicit drug use (Pasche and Myers, 2012). Alcohol remains the most commonly misused substance and comparatively data on illicit drug use is relatively less available (Pasche and Myers, 2012).
Research shows a growing number of interventions aimed at preventing the initiation of drug use and the potential transition to drug use disorders can be effective if they address personal and environmental vulnerabilities of children and young people – factors that are largely beyond a person’s control (WHO, 2013).
I will draw on the framing theory by Entman (1993) to illuminate this study.
Because of the nature of this theory, I have chosen to integrate the theory into the literature review. Framing constitutes how a story is presented in the media (Collins, Abelson, Thomson & Law, 2013). A frame in a news stories is what is determined as the most salient aspect of an issue based on what aspect of a particular issue is presented (Entman, 1993; Collins, et al., 2012). Mass media has the potential to influence public attitude through the framing of news stories (Daku, Gibbs & Heymann, 2012). Newspapers, or journalists writing for newspapers, have control over what aspects of an issue will be featured in a news story (Collins et al., 2002). Framing can determine how majority of recipients note, understand, and evaluate a problem, and subsequently act based on what has been suggested as an appropriate response (Entman, 1993; Daku et al.,
2012).
Thematic framing refers to continual coverage of issues subtly emphasising certain aspects of it and placing it in a particular context. The framing of news stories places issues at a certain level of importance on the public agenda having a particular influence on elite opinions by providing information on emerging issues that can influence expectations of public policy and the process of development of public policy (Daku et al., 2012; Collins et al., 2002). Thematic framing influences societal attributions to issues and has been noted as playing an influential role in shaping and promoting negative views of issues (Collins et al., 2002; Daku et al., 2012). In early research, television was considered the primary contribution of mental health information. However, more recently attention is being given to other media sources, particularly newspapers (Stuart, 2006).
persons tend to oversimplify the magnitude of drug dependence (WHO, 2013).
According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Drug Report 2015, there has been little change globally in the production, use, and health consequences of illicit drugs. The health consequences are of ample concern due to the vast majority of drug users having no access to treatment. An estimated 246 million people between the ages of 15 and 64 used an illicit drug in 2013 and of those; 27 million people are problem drug users (WHO, 2015). Almost half of those problem drug users inject drugs and an estimated 1.65 million were living with HIV in 2013 (WHO, 2013). This places major stress on the public health system with regards to prevention, treatment and care of drug use and its health consequences (WHO, 2013).
Prior to 1994, the primary substances of misuse in South Africa were alcohol, cannabis, and methaqualone (Pasche and Myers, 2012). With the subsequent reopening of the borders that occurred with the country’s transition into democracy, there has been an influx and growing harm associated with illicit drug use (Pasche and Myers, 2012). Alcohol remains the most commonly misused substance and comparatively data on illicit drug use is relatively less available (Pasche and Myers, 2012).
Research shows a growing number of interventions aimed at preventing the initiation of drug use and the potential transition to drug use disorders can be effective if they address personal and environmental vulnerabilities of children and young people – factors that are largely beyond a person’s control (WHO, 2013).
I will draw on the framing theory by Entman (1993) to illuminate this study.
Because of the nature of this theory, I have chosen to integrate the theory into the literature review. Framing constitutes how a story is presented in the media (Collins, Abelson, Thomson & Law, 2013). A frame in a news stories is what is determined as the most salient aspect of an issue based on what aspect of a particular issue is presented (Entman, 1993; Collins, et al., 2012). Mass media has the potential to influence public attitude through the framing of news stories (Daku, Gibbs & Heymann, 2012). Newspapers, or journalists writing for newspapers, have control over what aspects of an issue will be featured in a news story (Collins et al., 2002). Framing can determine how majority of recipients note, understand, and evaluate a problem, and subsequently act based on what has been suggested as an appropriate response (Entman, 1993; Daku et al.,
2012).
Thematic framing refers to continual coverage of issues subtly emphasising certain aspects of it and placing it in a particular context. The framing of news stories places issues at a certain level of importance on the public agenda having a particular influence on elite opinions by providing information on emerging issues that can influence expectations of public policy and the process of development of public policy (Daku et al., 2012; Collins et al., 2002). Thematic framing influences societal attributions to issues and has been noted as playing an influential role in shaping and promoting negative views of issues (Collins et al., 2002; Daku et al., 2012). In early research, television was considered the primary contribution of mental health information. However, more recently attention is being given to other media sources, particularly newspapers (Stuart, 2006).