Drugs....

[Tom62]

Loving and hungry people...that's what seems to be the biggest problem of legalizing marijuana.

On the subject of the other hard drugs...I'm not too keen on legalizing.

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[DeterminedJuliet]

Drugs, drugs, drugs: which are good, which are bad?
http://youtu.be/vhgoXZDA7ig

[Sweetdeath]

Ya, I wasn't talking about medical drugs used as prescribed.

Meth is the most common form of amphetamine drugs on the black market; but it's a drug cocktail of various harsh chemicals plus some of the OTC (now behind the counter) amphetamines...I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a truck driver who is on that stuff and if you've ever seen someone tweaking out on the stuff you'd understand why.

I know, one of my friends got ran over by an 18 wheeler being driven by someone on meth, his motorcycle and helmet offered little protection.

Gosh, that's horrible T__T...

I definitely don't think hard drugs sould ever be legalized, which is sad because it seems drug dealers will always be around, ruining people's lives...

I'm not a fan of weed, but it is kinda stupid thst they are illegal, but not cigarettes,which are just poison sticks. Yargh!!  Hate that smell.

[Siz]

of course, things like LSD and other hallucigens are CERTAINLY not safe for ANYONE at ANY time.

What makes you say that? Did you have a bad trip once?
It's one of the most profoundly positive experiences I've ever had. And probably the least harmful, physically, of all drugs.

Cigarettes....can't think of how it is harmful to society once second hand smoke exposure situations are limited to designated areas.

It costs the british tax-payer millions in keeping the selfish (smokers) alive.

Alcohol....only harmful to society if drunk driving occurs.

Caffeine...no harm to society that I can think of; if anything it helps by making people more alert when driving to work in the morning.

Weed....only harmful to society if high driving occurs.

Alcohol and Caffeine are safe for the individual too as long as they are not abused to the point of addiction.

Weed tends not to be something people get addicted to the point of smoking daily...so on the personal harm level it is safer that Cigarettes.

So...logically, if anything should be illegal of the above as none of them cause immediate harm to society then cigarettes would make more sense than weed.

I think all of the above should be legal as there is really no good argument for them not being so.   There are harder drugs that are much easier to make a case for their societal harm as they lead to crime in order to feed the expensive addiction or due to damage to the brain so that the person makes rash decisions.

I don't smoke weed because it is illegal and because I don't care for that feeling.  I don't even know if I'd try it again if it were legalized.

Cigarettes cost the british tax-payer millions in keeping smokers alive. And with a health system at breaking point, it's an unnecessary burden. I look forward to the law which limits access for smokers/compulsive eaters/drinkers to the health service. Only this week was reported that the obese are being denied certain services if they refuse to stop eating. Bravo to the unPC managers who were brave enough to start making a stand. I back this all the way.

Alcohol addiction is a huge societal problem - exacerbated by a welfare system that pays for the alcohol that keeps the lazy from getting a job. Not to mention associated health issues with the same problems as stated above.

Marijuana is EXACTLY something people get addicted to the point of smoking daily. I've seen it up close. I can tell you from personal experience that there are long term negative effects from prolonged use of this drug. I don't smoke it now because it does nothing positive for me - The fact that it's illegal has no impact on my decision to smoke it or not. It is SO prevalent in the UK - it's a drug that is not going to go away. Legalisation is the only way IMO to control its use and sale.

As for giving up smoking, have any of you addicts (who want to stop) tried Alan Carr?
http://allencarr.com/. I had my last cigarette 9 years ago while reading the book and haven't smoked (apart from a cigar maybe twice a year) since. The book is all about the psychology of smoking and how we convince ourselves of certain things. (e.g. We reach for a cigarette when we feel stressed because we think it will make us feel better. In fact what is happening is that we take a cigarette so that we are not adding to the stress by suffering nicotine withdrawals. The cigarette is simply bringing us back to a 'normal' state.) Anyway, it worked for me...

[Davin]

Ya, I wasn't talking about medical drugs used as prescribed.

Meth is the most common form of amphetamine drugs on the black market; but it's a drug cocktail of various harsh chemicals plus some of the OTC (now behind the counter) amphetamines...I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a truck driver who is on that stuff and if you've ever seen someone tweaking out on the stuff you'd understand why.

I know, one of my friends got ran over by an 18 wheeler being driven by someone on meth, his motorcycle and helmet offered little protection.

Gosh, that's horrible T__T...

He survived, was in a coma for several months, but he lived. After almost a decade later, you'd never guess by looking at him that he'd taken on an 18 wheeler and lost. But he wasn't exactly the prettiest beforehand.

[Sweetdeath]

I'm glad to hear he made it through.... *hugs*


Yes, that is my feelings too. Tax payers paying for healthcare of hardcore smokers and alcoholics.  It disgusts me that America doesnt have free health care. I don't want to.pay for a smoker who doesnt give a s hi t about their health, or someone who has 5 kids to sit on welfare. Makes me furious.

[AnimatedDirt]

It disgusts me that America doesnt have free health care.

Just a general 'fyi'.  I don't think I want free healthcare.

Back to Drugs...

[yepimonfire]

Ya, I wasn't talking about medical drugs used as prescribed.

Meth is the most common form of amphetamine drugs on the black market; but it's a drug cocktail of various harsh chemicals plus some of the OTC (now behind the counter) amphetamines...I wouldn't want to be anywhere near a truck driver who is on that stuff and if you've ever seen someone tweaking out on the stuff you'd understand why.  

meth is a totally different story. it is FAR more potent then amphetamines and meth was introduced to the market later on. also it totally depends on how much someone uses. a small amount of amphetamines increases alertness and reaction time and eliminates drowsiness. a large does of it causes a  WHOLE different scenario and it can confuse and disorient the user, which can result in accidents.

ever taken ephedrine? the same exact effects on the body as amphetamines. another product on the market in many pre workout supplements is 1,3 dimethylamine. also the exact same effect on the brain as amphetamines. i've used both and i've used adderal when i was in school. they all do the same thing.

[Siz]

It disgusts me that America doesnt have free health care.

Britain doesn't have free healthcare either - we pay through the nose in taxes for our top-heavy, inefficient health service. Only today I heard about my friends sister who was in hospital to have a bunion removed. And because there was noone authorised and available to 'issue' crutches, she had to spend a night in hospital. Morons!

[Sweetdeath]

It disgusts me that America doesnt have free health care.

Just a general 'fyi'.  I don't think I want free healthcare.

Back to Drugs...

Uh oookay. But I think every tax paying person or citizen is entilted to have it. e__e

[Asmodean]

Just a general 'fyi'.  I don't think I want free healthcare.

Why not? Has always worked well for me...

[The Magic Pudding]

Loving and hungry people...that's what seems to be the biggest problem of legalizing marijuana.

On the subject of the other hard drugs...I'm not too keen on legalizing.

And it makes Pink Floyd sound how it's supposed to.

I'd like to swap the two days a week where I consume somewhat more than the medically recommended amount of alcohol for something else less harmful.  Weed would be OK but modern medicine should be able to find something even less harmful.  The morality propagated by religion, which sees seeking a high as degenerate prevents solutions that minimise harm.

Things like alcohol do have a social cost besides road carnage.  
If you want a society where we refuse to allow people to just go die in a corner it will cost a socialised health system.  Child neglect is a cost.  Ideally, for me anyway, society invests in people by subsidising education costs for example.  The loss of productivity of a person through drug abuse is a social cost.

[Too Few Lions]

I've tried most recreational drugs, with the notable exception of heroin, and only ever had one bad experience, from a very very very strong cup of cannabis tea. I felt like I was going insane for four or five hours, and that made me realise why cannabis is illegal. I've been very wary of weed since. But I have to weigh that up against all the fantastic times I've had high (particularly on mushrooms).

I think there's a middle ground of decriminalizing drug use without legalizing drugs, as they've done in countries like Portugal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_Portugal

You don't make them legal and freely available from shops or cafes, but you also don't waste police time prosecuting people who just want to have a good time and enjoy themselves at no-one else's expense. The problem is people who misuse drugs, not the drugs themselves, everything in moderation as the old saying goes.

It seems to me that alcohol is by far the most dangerous drug in western society, yet it's openly tolerated, and alcohol manufacturers are allowed to advertise freely. In the city that I live in, the centre is like a war zone every Friday and Saturday night with hundreds of very drunk people, and you're pretty much guaranteed to see drunk people fighting, throwing up and randomly screaming abuse at other people if you walk around a bit.

The UK government has estimated that alcohol abuse costs the economy 25 billion pounds a year, including a £2.7 billion burden on the NHS. Apparently, every minute alcohol-related problems cost the UK economy around £48,000, every hour more than 100 people go into hospital in England and Wales with an alcohol-related condition and every day more than 40 people die as a result of alcohol in England and Wales

http://www.alcoholservices-ateam.org.uk/alcohol%20awareness%202011.html
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0708/reducing_alcohol_harm.aspx

I've got a friend who's an alcoholic, and I visited him in hospital last night. He's currently bright yellow (including his eyes!) due to jaundice and has a huge belly due to water being released by his liver, which is currently clearly struggling. He's 42 and probably won't last much longer unless he quits the sauce. He hasn't worked for years and just wants to sit at home on benefits and get drunk every day, and expects the rest of society to support him. Funnily enough he's never touched any illicit drugs, it shows you don't need illegal drugs to destroy your life, that's easy enough with booze if you want to self-destruct.

[Buddy]

Just a general 'fyi'.  I don't think I want free healthcare.

Why not? Has always worked well for me...

Norway is supposed to have the best healthcare in the world right?

[AnimatedDirt]

It disgusts me that America doesnt have free health care.

Just a general 'fyi'.  I don't think I want free healthcare.

Back to Drugs...

Uh oookay. But I think every tax paying person or citizen is entilted to have it. e__e

There are free clinics around.  I don't think I'd want to be treated for a simple cold in any of them, but they are available.  I'm happy having a job that affords me medical insurance.  If it comes to the point where I cannot pay for the best, then the next best is still available.  My point is that I've seen what "free healthcare" is like (at least here where I live) and I don't like what I see.

I've tried most recreational drugs, with the notable exception of heroin, and only ever had one bad experience, from a very very very strong cup of cannabis tea. I felt like I was going insane for four or five hours, and that made me realise why cannabis is illegal. I've been very wary of weed since. But I have to weigh that up against all the fantastic times I've had high (particularly on mushrooms).

I think there's a middle ground of decriminalizing drug use without legalizing drugs, as they've done in countries like Portugal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_Portugal

You don't make them legal and freely available from shops or cafes, but you also don't waste police time prosecuting people who just want to have a good time and enjoy themselves at no-one else's expense. The problem is people who misuse drugs, not the drugs themselves, everything in moderation as the old saying goes.

It seems to me that alcohol is by far the most dangerous drug in western society, yet it's openly tolerated, and alcohol manufacturers are allowed to advertise freely. In the city that I live in, the centre is like a war zone every Friday and Saturday night with hundreds of very drunk people, and you're pretty much guaranteed to see drunk people fighting, throwing up and randomly screaming abuse at other people if you walk around a bit.

The UK government has estimated that alcohol abuse costs the economy 25 billion pounds a year, including a £2.7 billion burden on the NHS. Apparently, every minute alcohol-related problems cost the UK economy around £48,000, every hour more than 100 people go into hospital in England and Wales with an alcohol-related condition and every day more than 40 people die as a result of alcohol in England and Wales

http://www.alcoholservices-ateam.org.uk/alcohol%20awareness%202011.html
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0708/reducing_alcohol_harm.aspx

I've got a friend who's an alcoholic, and I visited him in hospital last night. He's currently bright yellow (including his eyes!) due to jaundice and has a huge belly due to water being released by his liver, which is currently clearly struggling. He's 42 and probably won't last much longer unless he quits the sauce. He hasn't worked for years and just wants to sit at home on benefits and get drunk every day, and expects the rest of society to support him. Funnily enough he's never touched any illicit drugs, it shows you don't need illegal drugs to destroy your life, that's easy enough with booze if you want to self-destruct.

Wholeheartedly agree.  I've never understood this double-standard thinking.