NationStates Jolt Archive


Drugs.

Arinola
03-06-2007, 23:13
Me and my friend have been talking a lot about various different drugs, and how dangerous they actually are. (He takes various substances, I don't, for the record.) He claims that most of them aren't actually that dangerous, and have been demonized to an extent by the media, such as ecstasy. Though he does acknowledge that some of them are quite horrific, such as crystal meth and other amphetamines.

What's your opinion on drugs, and their effects on people? Do you condone or condemn them?
Hynation
03-06-2007, 23:15
Me and my friend have been talking a lot about various different drugs, and how dangerous they actually are. (He takes various substances, I don't, for the record.) He claims that most of them aren't actually that dangerous, and have been demonized to an extent by the media, such as ecstasy. Though he does acknowledge that some of them are quite horrific, such as crystal meth and other amphetamines.

What's your opinion on drugs, and their effects on people? Do you condone or condemn them?

The red and white ones will fuck you up man...a real trip...esspecially children's strength...now that's some primo stuff....man...
Dexlysia
03-06-2007, 23:16
Pro-choice.
Hydesland
03-06-2007, 23:19
I like hallucinogens, I don't see the point tbh with any other drug.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:19
Personally, I am fine with all types of substance use/abuse. I do think some drugs are just generally bad (i.e. the negative effects outweigh the positive), but I don't believe any person or organization has the right to control what individuals put into their own bodies, although I do believe that individuals who commit crimes while under the influence of drugs should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
The blessed Chris
03-06-2007, 23:20
Pro-choice, but for Heroine. I would have no objection to legalising the likes of Cocaine, Ecstasy, Cannabis and Speed, given that quality control and price regulation would do much to preclude both the excesses of drug related crime, and death due to contaminated drugs.
Druidville
03-06-2007, 23:20
You know, there are quicker ways to kill yourself.

I'm all against.
Dundee-Fienn
03-06-2007, 23:20
None for me thanks although I have tried a few in the past. I'm sticking to the ones with prescriptions for the time being. They're snazzy
IL Ruffino
03-06-2007, 23:22
I like getting high. :)
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:25
Pro-choice, but for Heroine. I would have no objection to legalising the likes of Cocaine, Ecstasy, Cannabis and Speed, given that quality control and price regulation would do much to preclude both the excesses of drug related crime, and death due to contaminated drugs.

What is so bad about heroin? It has few to no negative physical effects aside from addiction and the possibility of overdose...in fact, with the quality control implied by legalization, heroin would be much less harmful than methamphetamine or cocaine.
Ifreann
03-06-2007, 23:26
Legalise and regulate FTW!
Cabra West
03-06-2007, 23:26
Me and my friend have been talking a lot about various different drugs, and how dangerous they actually are. (He takes various substances, I don't, for the record.) He claims that most of them aren't actually that dangerous, and have been demonized to an extent by the media, such as ecstasy. Though he does acknowledge that some of them are quite horrific, such as crystal meth and other amphetamines.

What's your opinion on drugs, and their effects on people? Do you condone or condemn them?

I'd be careful about claiming that ecstacy is harmless, as one of my former teachers lost her son to the effects of that particular drug.
That asside, I think that many drugs that are illegal at the moment ought to be legalised, if only in order to tax them and direct that money towards the health services dealing with the effects those drugs have.
The blessed Chris
03-06-2007, 23:26
What is so bad about heroin? It has few to no negative physical effects aside from addiction and the possibility of overdose...in fact, with the quality control implied by legalization, heroin would be much less harmful than methamphetamine or cocaine.

There's also bugger all point to heroine. Coke can, I'm reliably informed, be a hoot, but heroine is nasty.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:28
There's also bugger all point to heroine. Coke can, I'm reliably informed, be a hoot, but heroine is nasty.

I've also been told by very trusted friends that heroin is fucking grand. I would imagine so, using my (admittedly very limited) experience with opiates as a base.

Sure, you probably won't do much, but you will still be in a state of euphoric bliss.
Arinola
03-06-2007, 23:29
Legalise and regulate FTW!

I'd agree with that to an extent, certainly not all drugs. Ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine, yes. Amphetamines, LSD, heroin, no. Especially not crystal meth, that stuff is horrible.
United Chicken Kleptos
03-06-2007, 23:30
Meh. I don't do drugs. They don't help or change anything, so it's pointless.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:30
I'd agree with that to an extent, certainly not all drugs. Ecstasy, cannabis and cocaine, yes. Amphetamines, LSD, heroin, no. Especially not crystal meth, that stuff is horrible.

Once again, why cocaine and not heroin?

And also, why not LSD? It is ridiculously difficult to overdose on, has few to no physical effects, and causes damage or psychosis only in an incredibly tiny portion of users. LSD is arguably one of the safest drugs known to man.
Hydesland
03-06-2007, 23:30
What is so bad about heroin? It has few to no negative physical effects aside from addiction and the possibility of overdose...in fact, with the quality control implied by legalization, heroin would be much less harmful than methamphetamine or cocaine.

But since heroine is SO addictive, people loose all their money trying to feed their addiction. They tend to have to completely rely on it, suffering from some of the worst possible withdraw systems if you can get. The social effects of this are bad, splitting families etc...
Arinola
03-06-2007, 23:31
I'd be careful about claiming that ecstacy is harmless, as one of my former teachers lost her son to the effects of that particular drug.
That asside, I think that many drugs that are illegal at the moment ought to be legalised, if only in order to tax them and direct that money towards the health services dealing with the effects those drugs have.

Deaths with ecstasy can often be associated with water intoxication/dehydration (or something along those lines) and getting absolutely wankered while you're on the pill. Don't get me wrong, ecstasy can be a bad drug, but it's nowhere near teh ebil demon that i was always told it was when I was younger.
Dexlysia
03-06-2007, 23:33
But since heroine is SO addictive, people loose all their money trying to feed their addiction. They tend to have to completely rely on it, suffering from some of the worst possible withdraw systems if you can get. The social effects of this are bad, splitting families etc...

In all honesty, do you think the law is a deterrant in the case of heroin?
I don't think anyone goes from being straight-edged to shooting up just like that.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:33
But since heroine is SO addictive, people loose all their money trying to feed their addiction. They tend to have to completely rely on it, suffering from some of the worst possible withdraw systems if you can get. The social effects of this are bad, splitting families etc...

Interestingly enough, there are drugs with worse withdrawal effects, including methadone (the heroin substitute used in many areas legally to attempt to wean people away from heroin). Further, with legalization, the horrendously inflated prices would go down, meaning many fewer people would have to steal to feed their addiction, Also, why not use the revenue generated by the taxation and sale of heroin to improve rehabilitation programs and offer them for free (along with education) to try to break addictions (or stop them from forming)?
The blessed Chris
03-06-2007, 23:33
I've also been told by very trusted friends that heroin is fucking grand. I would imagine so, using my (admittedly very limited) experience with opiates as a base.

Sure, you probably won't do much, but you will still be in a state of euphoric bliss.

I have no experiance, either related or personal, of the effects of heroine, however, its highly addictive nature, and the concomitant ramifications upon the life of the addicted, are simply far greater than those of other drugs.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:37
I have no experiance, either related or personal, of the effects of heroine, however, its highly addictive nature, and the concomitant ramifications upon the life of the addicted, are simply far greater than those of other drugs.

No more addictive than tobacco or (IIRC) caffeine. I am aware that the drugs price and effects make it drastically different from either of those two drugs, but
once again, using the revenue generated from the legalisation and taxation of heroin, addiction and the negative social effects of the drug can be combated.
Cabra West
03-06-2007, 23:37
Deaths with ecstasy can often be associated with water intoxication/dehydration (or something along those lines) and getting absolutely wankered while you're on the pill. Don't get me wrong, ecstasy can be a bad drug, but it's nowhere near teh ebil demon that i was always told it was when I was younger.

Nope, course not. But the incident made me a little more careful in placing ecstacy on the same level as, say, canabis.
It was dehydration in his case... an almost 62 hour party without getting any sleep or having any water. He just collapsed and died on the way to the hospital.
Hydesland
03-06-2007, 23:38
In all honesty, do you think the law is a deterrant in the case of heroin?
I don't think anyone goes from being straight-edged to shooting up just like that.

But making it legal does have the implication to SOME people, that it's more ofa social norm. Not so unaccaptable to use it as it normally would be etc..
Imperial isa
03-06-2007, 23:40
don't do them but do know ICE is the in thing here now
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:40
But making it legal does have the implication to SOME people, that it's more ofa social norm. Not so unaccaptable to use it as it normally would be etc..

Okay, maybe. But conversely, leaving it illegal encourages some people to try it as a form of rebelling against social norms.
Infinite Revolution
03-06-2007, 23:41
drugs make baby jesus trip out, man.
Hydesland
03-06-2007, 23:41
Interestingly enough, there are drugs with worse withdrawal effects, including methadone (the heroin substitute used in many areas legally to attempt to wean people away from heroin).

Well, i'm not saying those are good either.


Further, with legalization, the horrendously inflated prices would go down, meaning many fewer people would have to steal to feed their addiction

But it can still break up families, stop you from working etc...


Also, why not improve rehabilitation programs

I don't see how they can be improved.


and offer them for free

I think it is free here.


(along with education)

There already is education about it, it doesn't really have much of an effect.
Dexlysia
03-06-2007, 23:42
But making it legal does have the implication to SOME people, that it's more ofa social norm. Not so unaccaptable to use it as it normally would be etc..

Ah, but along those lines, it would also remove the "forbidden fruit" aspect.

Also, if it does become more socially acceptable, they would be much more likely to hold a job to support their habit, instead of resorting to crime (since they would already be branded criminals).
Cannot think of a name
03-06-2007, 23:42
I've also been told by very trusted friends that heroin is fucking grand. I would imagine so, using my (admittedly very limited) experience with opiates as a base.

Sure, you probably won't do much, but you will still be in a state of euphoric bliss.
My feelings after trying opium were, "I'm glad I don't know where to get more."

There already is education about it, it doesn't really have much of an effect.

Honest education would help more.
Arinola
03-06-2007, 23:45
Nope, course not. But the incident made me a little more careful in placing ecstacy on the same level as, say, canabis.
It was dehydration in his case... an almost 62 hour party without getting any sleep or having any water. He just collapsed and died on the way to the hospital.

Ah, shit. That's pretty bad.
Cabra West
03-06-2007, 23:51
Ah, shit. That's pretty bad.

Well, I'm originally from a very small town, and that is not something you'd expect to happen there, really. You grow up believing that drugs is something that happens in the big cities. Fact is, ecstasy is easier to come by that an packet of tampons (the drug stor closes at 6 pm, your local dealer doesn't.)

I think what's needed is legalisation and the legal control of what's in those things that comes with it, as well as taking some of that glamour and mystique away from the drugs.
Grape-eaters
03-06-2007, 23:52
Well, i'm not saying those are good either.

Fair enough.

But it can still break up families, stop you from working etc...

Once again, the solution to this is to make education honest (Thank you, CToaN, that was exactly the phrase I was looking for) and to improve rehabilitation. Further, it won't necessarily break up family or cause you to lose work. I mean, don't get me wrong, it can, but there are certainly people who can both use heroin and maintain a job/family. It is far more likely to fuck up one's life if one is caught using or in possession of heroin, and charged with the crime.

I don't see how they can be improved.

Unfortunately, I know very little about the current rehabilitation system, so i can offer few suggestions in this area. The only one I can think of is the creation of ibogaine clinics such as those in Mexico. Ibogaine is a powerful psychedelic (that often has rather unpleasant effects, I am told) that apparently can also act as an addiction breaker (makes you not want any for a few days, IIRC). This has potential to be of great use in rehabilitation, as it can give a vital few days without use to start the program.





There already is education about it, it doesn't really have much of an effect.

See CToaN's response.
Profane Justice
03-06-2007, 23:56
I think drugs are fun--but having said that Ill only smoke respectable drugs
Kedalfax
03-06-2007, 23:56
I don't do drugs. Unless you count Mountain Dew as a drug, I'll say more on that later. But my reason isn't the ill effects or the addiction or the law.Drugs are expensive! I don't like paying five bucks a month for my cell phone, not to mention what must be at least a few hundred a month for weed. Plus I've been around enough campfires to know that inhaling smoke is really unpleasant. (I know it isn't the same thing, but that's not the point)

I do think that drug laws, especially in New York, are way too strict.

I also consider caffeine to be a drug. You can get addicted, you can have withdrawal, you can overdose, and it alters your state of mind; it's a drug. It shouldn't be illegal, but it shouldn't be allowed in certain concentrations. In other words, coffee is fine, Mountain Dew is pushing it, but that 'energy' drink crap is too much.
Oklatex
03-06-2007, 23:58
I do believe that individuals who commit crimes while under the influence of drugs should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

So, you are fine with the drug laws in Indonesia?
Profane Justice
04-06-2007, 00:02
but just taking drugs themselves shouldnt be a crime
New Anonia
04-06-2007, 00:04
While I do agree with the illegalization of some drugs, personally I think current frug laws go WAY too far.
Grape-eaters
04-06-2007, 00:04
So, you are fine with the drug laws in Indonesia?

Where the fuck did you get that from? I said I want drugs to be legalised. That would mean that you couldn't be punished for having drugs, or having done drugs. However, I admit that perhaps I made a rash statement. I meant punished under the full extent of my country's laws. I do not agree with unjust drug laws such as those I assume are present in INdonesia (I don't actually know--can't be arsed to look it up).
Oklatex
04-06-2007, 00:15
Where the fuck did you get that from? I said I want drugs to be legalised. That would mean that you couldn't be punished for having drugs, or having done drugs. However, I admit that perhaps I made a rash statement. I meant punished under the full extent of my country's laws. I do not agree with unjust drug laws such as those I assume are present in INdonesia (I don't actually know--can't be arsed to look it up).

Death penalty.
Grape-eaters
04-06-2007, 00:18
Death penalty.

Really? The penalty for driving under the influence is death?


EDIT: I'm going to have to ask you for a source here, not just a positive reply...