prescribed medication or over the counter stuff are drugs too, and people can get addicted to them. So yeah, I've always been (and still are I suppose) sickly child and have been dosed with every possible pill, syrup etc and so I can't say I've never taken drugs xD
But I would never take recreational drugs even marijuana etc. Never had the inclination to try and I'd like to keep my head as clear as possible.
Most of have coffee or tea in the morning as a "pick me up." We have a glass of wine or beer to "chill out." We take aspirin for head-ache's. Life is all about chemistry.
The social pressure behind 'drugs' is a neurotic cancer and causes more harm through neurosis and tension than the drug itself does.
People's belief's have been manufactured and people believe they are thinking and forming belief structures for themselves when in reality they are choosing A, B or C presented to them by their masters.
Botanicals and medicines have been in use for 1,000's of years as has the ability of those who shape the thoughts of masses of others.
The tension being caused is a result of what is being manufactured in the minds of the human animal being out of step with natural nature.
I think ideas out of step with nature, ideas with the purpose of shaping humanity in a way that goes against the grain of it naturally shaping itself causes a lot more pain and sorrow than the plant or botanical could cause itself.
hbutz New York wrote: Most of have coffee or tea in the morning as a "pick me up." We have a glass of wine or beer to "chill out." We take aspirin for head-ache's. Life is all about chemistry.
And that.
Isn't a person who 'needs' a coffee and a ciagarette a lot weaker than a person who smokes an occassional joint or who has tried cocaine, ecstasy or meth.
I think we need realistic laws. Remember Alcohol was prohibited for a time so it takes time for society to change it's views and establish new laws to reflect the new views.
I think the more you can minimize your drug use, the healthier you're likely to be.
I don't do recreational drugs except alcohol. An analgesic/anti-inflammatory every now and then for something really painful. I've taken a prescribed antibiotic twice in the last 20 years.
I am a social drinker (as in, might have two mixed drinks in a night), and enjoy micro-brew beers.
That's the extent of my substance use; I've never smoked a cigarette in my life.
You'd think, considering how well I've taken care of myself, my skin wouldn't have started aging already... oh well...
At the same time, I think people should be able to do things like use substances, and commit suicide if they so choose. I can't see why these things are "illegal." Conceptually, I understand why there are laws against it, but it's invasion of individual's privacy.
anyone can discuss their views on the issue. not just us brits :]
And I didn't mean that they could not.
What I was getting at was that since the reclassification was under Brit laws, opinions about that reclassification would probably be more understandable by those people affected by those laws.
Now, that said, A, B, and C.
A: I do not believe drugs should be legalized. Given both world history and criminal operations to hook people, legalizing them would take away just another tool to catch such people and put them out of business......people who do not care who they hurt provided they get what they want.
B: Having been in the anti drug business, it really doesn't matter what I believe about the classification. I follow the orders for the mission I am given.
C: I do not do drugs nor associate with those who do.
I don't do drugs, I don't even drink. But I believe the "war on drugs" is a MASSIVE waste of money and resources. The billions we waste could be better spent finding a cure for Cancer or AIDS.
Legalize it, tax the shit out of it and reduce my tax burden. Spend the money on something useful like... oh, I don't know, education perhaps?
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Dave is correct that drugs amongst various cultures have actually molded those cultures in some way. Everything you ingest will affect you in some way eventually, and over time this becomes part of who you are.
Personally, I don't think it should be illegal. I think it is a tragedy that people are locked up because of choosing to ingest something. That is ridiculous.
I personally don't like drugs myself, I have no real use for them, I'm crazy on my own.
However I am 100% against all drug laws.
However, drugs will never be legalized. The entire prison industry relies on people constantly being thrown in jail. Also, cops and the justice system need jobs.
See, by making these things criminal, we have artificially given rise to an entire industry and market that is devoted to and RELIES on people sitting in jail because they used a drug or sold a drug. Even the robberies and burglaries that are related to drug culture would go away, because there would be no motive since drugs would be easily available and much cheaper.
If we threw out all of the drug laws making it criminal to use or sell drugs, we'd probably have 50-75% less convictions going through the system. This means we'd need less cops, less lawyers, less justice personnel, less jails, less prisons, less prison vendors and suppliers, less wardens, less guards, less (or no) DEA, less prison builders and construction companies, less prison architect firms, less steel and granite and drywall and all the things that go into prisons and jails.
This could very will possibly account for about 1 million to 2 million people... out of work and needing more jobs.
And THEN, you'd have about 2 to 3 million criminals who are no longer criminals and out on the street, also needing jobs.
So you got 3 to 5 million Americans needing work if we get rid of drug criminalization laws.
You see? It's clear the solution is to come up with a reason to lock some of them up, and employ the rest to take care of them. Pretty nifty, eh?
In the end, drug laws were just a way to make something that the poor (unfortunately) enjoyed a criminal act.
It's basically just another method of keeping "undesirables" (poor, black) out of the workforce and promoting "desirables" (white) IN the workforce. I'm generalizing of course, but just do a demographic study on prisons and jails and I think you'll see what I'm saying here.
Drug laws were intended (by the racist folks who promoted them) to be a passive "legal" way to keep down the poor blacks. Of course now they affect everyone because everyone does drugs, but it doesn't take much research to see what this is all about: keep out a whole group of under-privileged from getting access to privilege by throwing them in jail for smoking a joint.
Drug laws have turned our nation into a golf-club community association, where if you don't follow the ridiculous rules, you get exiled.
Nah but seriously, ive smoked pot a few times and drink alcohol maybe like twice a month. Never cared or wanted to try anything else in my life. To each their own!
inTempus wrote: I don't do drugs, I don't even drink. But I believe the "war on drugs" is a MASSIVE waste of money and resources. The billions we waste could be better spent finding a cure for Cancer or AIDS.
Legalize it, tax the shit out of it and reduce my tax burden. Spend the money on something useful like... oh, I don't know, education perhaps?
I agree with everything you've said here.
I doubt, however, that legalizing the substances would reduce illegal manufacture and purchase. There would still be an "underground" drug trade, because people cooking meth in their bathtubs (or whatever) would be able to sell it to users cheaper than those users would be able to buy it from establishments. Junkies, like the rest of us, love clearance sales. Also, there are always going to be "new" recreational drugs available on the street that would not be available in, um, drug stores (??? I don't know what you would call that). This would mean the government would have to start marketing new, exciting, recreational drugs to keep up with street merchandising.
Corporations would, inevitably, start trying to claim crack (or some other thing like that) has a medicinal use, so they could exploit people and make more money, and they would legally be able to navigate around laws due to their financial power, and do that. They sort of have already with crap like oxycontin, which was marketed as a medicine, and turned into a very, very bad thing. You can't tell me that the maker of that drug didn't know people were going to abuse it and get hooked on it.
I like the idea of legalizing drugs, getting rid of the wasteful "war on drugs" spending, but it doesn't seem like something that would work in the practical sense.
I'm pretty much only referring to hard drugs here. I don't think marijuana should be lumped in with other, addictive substances.
Nah but seriously, ive smoked pot a few times and drink alcohol maybe like twice a month. Never cared or wanted to try anything else in my life. To each their own!
See, we're allowed to drink alcohol even though plenty of people abuse it. Reason for that is that alcohol is a European-centric thing. The Irish and Italian and German and English folks could all agree that alcohol was awesome.
They couldn't agree on pot and other non-Euro type drugs. They viewed the people that smoked pot or opium, namely Africans and Caribbeans and Asians, as sub-status citizens, so by looking down on those things, you could passively exile and ostracize entire culture groups. By making laws, you could even imprison them. Of course, you'll catch a couple white college kids as well, but screw those liberals, right?
I DO NOT understand why people would do drugs!!! What good comes out of drug abuse. I am drug free. What pisses me off is that people become addicts and I am supposed to feel sorry for their asses when they are down and out and can't kick the habit. Fuck 'em! They knew going in that addiction was going to happen.
And, i don't wanna hear nothing about marajuana! It is a drug and has long term side affects with abuse.
Faith EnFire wrote: please feel free to support your substantiations
Weed has a reverse effect on me that it does with most people. Quite a few people get
lethargic and...well....stupid.
I become very active and to be honest very very productive.....
I have been known to drop everything...pack my car and head off to Madi Gra....Go on month long backpacking trips....or even leave the country on rather extensive expeditions....
I tend to think about all of the experiences that I have not had....and act on them. So for me it has worked out well. Not saying that I recommend this to anyone.
BrooklynHill wrote: I DO NOT understand why people would do drugs!!! What good comes out of drug abuse. I am drug free. What pisses me off is that people become addicts and I am supposed to feel sorry for their asses when they are down and out and can't kick the habit. Fuck 'em! They knew going in that addiction was going to happen.
And, i don't wanna hear nothing about marajuana! It is a drug and has long term side affects with abuse.
You ever gotten a buzz? It's a great feeling.
Why do you care if someone wants to experience a particular feeling?
You ever eaten sugar and then gotten excited?
There is no difference, it's all chemistry. The only difference is the scale.
I think all drugs can be used responsibly and in moderation. I don't really see the distinction (especially regarding drug laws) between alcohol, and illicit drugs. Not everyone who drinks responsibly is a raging alcoholic, turning into a menace to society. The same can be said for responsible drug use. I know many people who are drug users who manage to hold down jobs, support families, have social lives not revolving around drugs, and are generally well adjusted, contributing members of society.
Rather, I believe that socially irresponsible, drug addicts are the exception, and not the rule to drug use. The same as alcoholism vs. social drinkers. Drug/alcohol laws seem contradictory to me.
BrooklynHill wrote: I DO NOT understand why people would do drugs!!! What good comes out of drug abuse. I am drug free. What pisses me off is that people become addicts and I am supposed to feel sorry for their asses when they are down and out and can't kick the habit. Fuck 'em! They knew going in that addiction was going to happen.
And, i don't wanna hear nothing about marajuana! It is a drug and has long term side affects with abuse.
What about the people who use drugs but are not addicted? Those who use drugs but still manage to raise families, go to work everyday, pay their bills, have normal social relationships, etc?
See, we're allowed to drink alcohol even though plenty of people abuse it. Reason for that is that alcohol is a European-centric thing. The Irish and Italian and German and English folks could all agree that alcohol was awesome.
They couldn't agree on pot and other non-Euro type drugs. They viewed the people that smoked pot or opium, namely Africans and Caribbeans and Asians, as sub-status citizens, so by looking down on those things, you could passively exile and ostracize entire culture groups. By making laws, you could even imprison them. Of course, you'll catch a couple white college kids as well, but screw those liberals, right?
See what this is all about?
I totally see your point man! I couldnt abuse it if i tried, im under age so when i get alcohol its always at random lol.
Natasha240 wrote: I think all drugs can be used responsibly and in moderation. I don't really see the distinction (especially regarding drug laws) between alcohol, and illicit drugs. Not everyone who drinks responsibly is a raging alcoholic, turning into a menace to society. The same can be said for responsible drug use. I know many people who are drug users who manage to hold down jobs, support families, have social lives not revolving around drugs, and are generally well adjusted, contributing members of society.
Rather, I believe that socially irresponsible, drug addicts are the exception, and not the rule to drug use. The same as alcoholism vs. social drinkers. Drug/alcohol laws seem contradictory to me.
I totally agree, point is TOO much of anything is bad for you. Moderation is key
Natasha240 wrote: I know many people who are drug users who manage to hold down jobs, support families, have social lives not revolving around drugs, and are generally well adjusted, contributing members of society.
You are talking about things like marijuana, or LSD though, correct? Yes, those substances can be used responsibly by many people, on an occasional basis.
I've known a lot of people who used (at one point or another) hard drugs, and NONE of them could ever be responsible with heavy narcotics, at least not after a certain point.
MDMA, sure... people can do it from time to time. Have fun. Whatever. ... Crack? Nope. There's no such thing as responsible crack-smoking.
When I am in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia I chew Coca leaves for altitude adjustment....it also helps to curb hunger and gets you thru a long day in the field.
What about the people who use drugs but are not addicted? Those who use drugs but still manage to raise families, go to work everyday, pay their bills, have normal social relationships, etc?
Would you be ok with a school bus driver using drugs? Someone operating heavy equipment using drugs?
Police officers? Firefighters? School teachers?
Do we draw a line somewhere, or do we just say, "Since most people can handle it, let's just let anyone/everyone do it"?
