Drugs and similar
destructive behavior are major social problems addressed by a number of films in recent years. These films
develop around a subculture and evoke certain images associated with such milieus, often using stereotypical images as shorthand to introduce the audience to the world of drug abuse and other marginal
behavior. This paper discusses
destructive social behavior in "Trainspotting" (depicting the drug culture in the United Kingdom), "Drugstore Cowboy" (exploring a feminist angle to drug abuse) and "Leaving Las Vegas" (portraying an alcohol abuse problem).