Euphoria star Zendaya has spoken out after D.A.R.E claimed the series was 'glorifying' drugs.
The drama - now in its second season - focuses on the life of drug addict Rue as she grapples with her addiction and identity, however, it hasn't been without its controversy.
A representative of the anti-drug campaign Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E) has previously said the show glorifies teen drug addition, telling TMZ that the second season 'misguidedly' depicted 'addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviours as common and widespread in today’s world'.
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'It is unfortunate that HBO, social media, television program reviewers, and paid advertising have chosen to refer to the show as ‘groundbreaking,’ rather than recognising the potential negative consequences on school-age children who today face unparalleled risks and mental health challenges', they added.
Zendaya, who made history as the youngest person to win a Best Lead Actress in a Drama Emmy for her performance in the show of which she is also an executive producer, responded to the comments in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
The actress said, 'our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing. If anything, the feeling behind Euphoria, or whatever we have always been trying to do with it, is to hopefully help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain.'
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She then added 'And maybe feel like they’re not the only one going through or dealing with what they’re dealing with'.
The actress also took to Instagram to share her thoughts on Rue's journey in the latest series, writing, 'I think in this show, and this season more specifically, she hits rock bottom. It's my hope for people watching that they still see her as a person worthy of love'.
The star also pointed out how the show could encourage positive change, explaining, 'if you can love her, you can love someone that is struggling with the same thing, and maybe have greater understanding of the pain they're facing, that is often out of their control'.
'I care about her deeply. I also care about the people who care about her, because I think many of them share her story of addiction and sobriety, and many of them share her emotional disorders, and I think it's important that we continue to have that love for her.'
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Topics: no-article-matching, Drugs, Celebrity, Film and TV