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Why take drugs?

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  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by ebb:
    <STRONG>I don't think it should be</STRONG>

    Niether do I... that's my point.

    It's damaging most people know that, but most people are also prepared to take that risk and do it cos it's fun.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well, speaking in broad terms, I don't see what right the government has to determine what chemicals I may or may not use to alter my perceptions and thought processes.

    Don't get me wrong, I know the government also has a responsibility to protect the public from dangerous substances and the harmful effects they may have, and this responsibilty extends to illegal substances as they now stand.

    However, given the recent weight of scientific evidence regarding cannabis use and it's effects, it seems that the government is overstepping it's responsibility in this particular area. I'd also like the original laws passed to make cannabis illegal re-examined to see if they are still relevant and valid today as they were when they were passed (if at all).
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    You might not want to do that.

    It sets a legal precedent for the re-examination of other "drug" laws. What if alcohol were to be re-examined - what technical evidence could you give for it not to be upgraded in status and made illegal?

    It's a two way street...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Funny how the government hasn't made poisonos plants illegal <IMG SRC="confused.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">, the foxglove <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Should be 7 years for possesion if you ask me <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by ebb:
    <STRONG>Funny how the government hasn't made poisonos plants illegal <IMG SRC="confused.gif" border="0" ALT="icon">, the foxglove <IMG SRC="eek.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Should be 7 years for possesion if you ask me <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"></STRONG>

    Quality <IMG SRC="biggrin.gif" border="0" ALT="icon"> Maybe you should take up a position on a Consultative Committee to Parliament...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    your quite right about foxglove being poisonous, although digitalis is quite valuable in heart medicine I believe, although maybe its not illegal as it doesnt really have the potential for abuse being that it doesnt get you high.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by DJP:
    <STRONG>You might not want to do that.


    It's a two way street...</STRONG>

    Oh but I do, the government is supposed to act in the interest of the public is it not?? There is a wide-spread (if subtle) public interest at work here which almost starts crossing into the rights of the induvidual; if I want to smoke a particular plant why does the government stop me?? Because there are certain laws that were passed before a rigorous scientific assessment of the situation was made.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    End of the day some ppl do drugs and others dont. I dont judge on it. If you dont try something you'll never know. You're not anything better if you do them and you're nothing less if you dont, visa versa. It's a matter of accepting that ppl are different and will do different things.
    I wont take drugs again and i dont care how great drugs are, i found other things that are just as great if not better.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I just thought I'd thrown in my twopennys worth:-

    I've seen the effects drugs can have on people (including alchohol). I live in a town dubbed the drugs capital of Scotland, and have been offered illegal drugs in clubs plenty of times. Every time I have said no, because of what I've seen happen to people I know. A guy I knew died after taking two ecstasy tablets at a club, and this is the simple reason they are illegal.

    Yes, I know there are different classes of drugs, all with varying degrees of potential harm. But surely illegall drugs are illegal for a reason ??

    I take the point about it being down to the individual as to what mind altering substance they consume, but then again this can lead to even more strain being put on the NHS, and drug rehabiltion programmes cost money too. I'm not saying that anyone who takes drugs falls into this category, I know plenty of people who have taken drugs every so often and never had any particualrly nasty side effects.

    But in my opinion, I think illegall drugs are illegall for a reason, and I'm speaking from experience having seen what, in a bad case, drugs can do to people.

    Brian
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The fact that drugs were illegall was partly responsible for the guy dieing, it was an attitude thing, mainly because he wanted to rebel. Thats a small part of the reason the drugs culture is so rife today.

    I take the point about alchohol being a drug, and yes I do drink, but only to the point where I'm in control and I know its not going to damage myself (i.e not getting wasted)

    The powers that be say to us that certain drugs are dangerous to us,even in small volumes, so make them illegall and I for one am willing to accept their judgement on that. But I accept that loads and loads of people choose not to.

    As far as drinking excessively , eating fatty foods etc goes, yes it does add pressure to the NHS like drugs do, but as the saying goes, everything in life is a potential risk, its just some things are riskier than others, and I put illegall substances near enough top of the list.

    Yes, the punishment for drugs offences could be seen as harsh (breaking up families etc), and I think that the emphasis should be shifted towards education and rehabiltion for those who develop problems with it, and away from years behind bars.

    It is important to distinguish though between taking a couple of pills in a club every so often (for the buzz it gives), and people being severly addicted and dependent.

    Think of how drugs (including alchohol in excess) directly affect communities. This town is full of drugs, and has a high violent crime rate, like robberies by people who owe dealers money, and guys getting badly beaten up by dealers who are owed money. This leads to people being scared to leave their homes, and ends up with everyone feeling scared shitless and wanting out of this place. Surely this is part of the reason drugs are illegall too ??

    Brian
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by atomic brian
    The fact that drugs were illegall was partly responsible for the guy dieing, it was an attitude thing, mainly because he wanted to rebel. Thats a small part of the reason the drugs culture is so rife today.

    ....

    Think of how drugs (including alchohol in excess) directly affect communities. This town is full of drugs, and has a high violent crime rate, like robberies by people who owe dealers money, and guys getting badly beaten up by dealers who are owed money. This leads to people being scared to leave their homes, and ends up with everyone feeling scared shitless and wanting out of this place. Surely this is part of the reason drugs are illegall too ??

    Brian


    But surely if drugs were legal, and regulated, controlled and taxed by the government, this would cut the number of drug related deaths? People would get the real, proper drugs, and not potentially lethal combinations, doeses etc.?

    Also about the last paragraph...surely this is a reason drugs should be legalised, as if as I said before, the government controlled and regulated them, there would be no need for illegal dealers, thus eliminating all the problems caused by them which you mentioned.

    Just outta curiosity, where abouts in Scotland do you live?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Kiezo



    But surely if drugs were legal, and regulated, controlled and taxed by the government, this would cut the number of drug related deaths? People would get the real, proper drugs, and not potentially lethal combinations, doeses etc.?

    Also about the last paragraph...surely this is a reason drugs should be legalised, as if as I said before, the government controlled and regulated them, there would be no need for illegal dealers, thus eliminating all the problems caused by them which you mentioned.

    Just outta curiosity, where abouts in Scotland do you live?

    There would still be too many drug related deaths, and I'm certainly not convinced that enough people would keep to the recomended dosage for these drugs to merit a serious change in the law as this would be.

    I agree to an extent about your point about dealers, but again I genuinely beleive that drug related crime would still be at a reasonably high level, due to people overdosing, mixing potentially lethal drugs, even if they were taxed, controlled etc. Its the point I made about attitude, dealers and such like know there's money to be made, and I know from experience that people will go that little bit further to rebel.

    I'm from the north-east, near Aberdeen. Most of the drugs problem is apparently created by the young fishermen here having too much money, and using it to buy drugs. Dealers from England are often up here, because they know theres a market for it.

    Brian
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by atomic brian


    There would still be too many drug related deaths, and I'm certainly not convinced that enough people would keep to the recomended dosage for these drugs to merit a serious change in the law as this would be.

    I agree to an extent about your point about dealers, but again I genuinely beleive that drug related crime would still be at a reasonably high level, due to people overdosing, mixing potentially lethal drugs, even if they were taxed, controlled etc. Its the point I made about attitude, dealers and such like know there's money to be made, and I know from experience that people will go that little bit further to rebel.

    I'm from the north-east, near Aberdeen. Most of the drugs problem is apparently created by the young fishermen here having too much money, and using it to buy drugs. Dealers from England are often up here, because they know theres a market for it.

    Brian

    Of course there would still be drug related deaths, but the number would drop, maybe substantially. I don't see how over-dosing, or mixing drugs should they be legal, could be considered criminal.

    Also there wouldn't be a need for dealers, if drugs were readily available such as alcohol and tobacco are. Why would you go to a dealer who would beat you up if you didn't pay him, when you could go to a local shop and buy it from there?

    Most people don't do drugs to rebel, they do it because they are fun. If you want to 'rebel', you could just as easily become a goth or whatever.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by atomic brian
    The fact that drugs were illegall was partly responsible for the guy dieing, it was an attitude thing, mainly because he wanted to rebel. Thats a small part of the reason the drugs culture is so rife today.

    In my experience most people do drugs becaue they're enjoyable. Maybe some people take the step to try them because at first they want to rebel, but unless you've tried a drug like ecstasy you wouldn't understand why people do it.

    To say someone died of ecstasy is never that simple. Most people die because they don't know how to use it properly. Users don't actually die from the drug itself, but from over exerting themselves while on the drug. Dehydration, drinking too much water and hyperthermia are the main causes of death. Yes, without taking it these people may not die but ecstasy is a drugs that can be used quite safely.

    I take the point about alchohol being a drug, and yes I do drink, but only to the point where I'm in control and I know its not going to damage myself (i.e not getting wasted)

    Fine you may not drink too much but there are plenty that do. Most violent crimes are drink related and I imagine a good proportion of traffic accidents and deaths are drink related too.

    The powers that be say to us that certain drugs are dangerous to us,even in small volumes, so make them illegall and I for one am willing to accept their judgement on that. But I accept that loads and loads of people choose not to.

    Why do you put so much trust in the Government, do you really think that they have your health in mind. To a certain extent they probably do yet there are many other reasons why they might try to keep drugs illegal. For instance Alcohol vs Ecstasy! Dont be a sheep, do the research and decide for yourself.

    As far as drinking excessively , eating fatty foods etc goes, yes it does add pressure to the NHS like drugs do, but as the saying goes, everything in life is a potential risk, its just some things are riskier than others, and I put illegall substances near enough top of the list.
    Most drugs are bad for you health but there are plenty that can be used safely that reamin illegal when the two most damaging remain on the shelfs of most newsagents. Tobacco and Alcohol put more of a burden on the NHS than all the illegal drugs put together. For instance 1 in 4 smokers get lung cancer, and 90% of all lung cancer patients are/were smokers. I don't expect lung cancer treatment is cheap, do you? Can you imagine how much money the NHS would save if everyone quit smoking? But it's not going to happen is it?

    1000,000 people die each year out of 12,000,000 smokers, i.e. 8,300 per million

    25,000 people die each year out of 40 million alcohol drinkers i.e 625 per million

    120 people die each year out of 500,000 solvent sniffers i.e 240 per million


    7 people die each year out of 1,000,000 ecstasy users i.e 7 per million


    Dangerous isn't it? This is a Class A drug, apparently on the same level as crack and heroin :rolleyes: Have a look at the risks and dangers in perspective!

    Yes, the punishment for drugs offences could be seen as harsh (breaking up families etc), and I think that the emphasis should be shifted towards education and rehabiltion for those who develop problems with it, and away from years behind bars.

    Posession should be a non arrestable offence. Charging somone for posession does virtually fuck all to prevent people from taking the drug again, and it especially does no good when it comes to the addicts.

    Punishments for the supply of drugs such as heroin, crack and coke should remain harsh as these lead people to addiction and are the drugs related to other crime. Punishments for drugs related crime muggings, robbery etc should reamin harsh too.

    Drugs like cannabis, ecstasy, LSD should be decrimianlised at the least, and there some strong arguements for total legalisation. Take the drugs out of the crimminal organistions hands, allow pill testing in clubs and designated areas to smoke cannabis such as the cafe's in Amsterdam.

    It is important to distinguish though between taking a couple of pills in a club every so often (for the buzz it gives), and people being severly addicted and dependent.

    Agreed

    Think of how drugs (including alchohol in excess) directly affect communities. This town is full of drugs, and has a high violent crime rate, like robberies by people who owe dealers money, and guys getting badly beaten up by dealers who are owed money. This leads to people being scared to leave their homes, and ends up with everyone feeling scared shitless and wanting out of this place. Surely this is part of the reason drugs are illegall too ??

    Yeah but these problems are caused by the drugs being illegal. I suspect most of this crime is caused by Heroin/Crack/Coke addicts, which is even more reason why we should should concentrate on education and rehabilitation. Prosecuting these addicts wont do any good, helping them overcome it might.


    It pisses me off to that the government think that they can tell me what I can and can not put in my own body. The decision should be mine. Educate people on the pro's and cons of drughs and let them decide for themselves.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why do drugs?

    Simple – since the day man first evolved as an ‘intelligent’ life form – he’s been trying to get back to where he came from!

    Same as; after spending 9 months trying to get out of a women - he finds himself spending the rest of his life trying to get back in!

    :D:D:D

    (sorry ladies)

    Latest threat of legal action: VW Motors & F*ck ‘hem!
    read more at; http://www.whspliff.net/VWmotors.html
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    euphoria

    The feeling one gets from the use of certain drugs is so wonderfully euphoric one wonders why everyone isn't on them. If I could I would spend the rest of my life on huge alcohol, valium, cocaine high. But one must face reality and face the fact that the only down side to most drugs is that they are addictive and use builds tolerance. Now if one could come up with a drug that would negate those side effects......ahhhhh what a world it would be. ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Think about it. How much great music was written about drugs or under the influence? Most of the Beatles, all of Hendrix, the Mac, The Who, the list goes on. The fact is that everyone is their own person and you shouldn't judge people who choose to do what they want.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    always seems an unanswerable question to me.
    why did the ancient egyptians take drugs
    why did the vikings use cannabis?
    why did the incas use cannabis mescalin and alcohol.
    why did the victorians use cannabis, alcohol, opium, morphine, heroin, cocain etc....
    inteligent minds like to experience altered states of consiosness
    those who never tried drugs are under some kind of ilusion that drugs ONLY get you shit faced...like in an alcoholic excess kind of loss of control kinda way.
    drugs are a spiritual , intelectual high compared with alcohol which is a stupyfying thingymebobsomethingdownermakeatwatofyourself kindathing.

    drugs are..AN INTELECTUAL/SPIRITUAL/EMOTIONAL/MINDEXPANDING/MINDOPENING KINDA thing...and of course some people will have problems with em. i'm pissed at the moment.
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