[lily.]

Originally posted by Lauren
I've never used drugs in my life and as far as I can see I probably never will.
Of course I'm a hypocrite, my main reason is health issues with drugs - but then I'm an alcohol drinker. However, drugs can become very addictive and are against the law in any case. It's not just drugs that are the underlying problem here, either - because drug use/abuse can lead to many other problems - such as losing touch with reality, turning to the criminal side of things to get your 'fix'.

Drugs were once something to take if you were "cool" but I feel they have taken yet another loop in recent years to the point where they are no longer seen as being 'cool' (Contrary to all Pete Doherty idolisers). I know a few people at my college who take drugs at some of the party's I attend and people generally seem to keep well away from them, or speak bad about them. It does get to the point where the drug users get so involved in the drug that they don't care about other people perspectives and genuinely don't see wrong in what they are doing.

Some drugs are classed as "safer" than others but the desirability factor of most drugs is that it feeds an addiction - and so the drug is not safe because it starts an addiction which as I have already said, can lead to other forms of self harm. (Thats how I see drug abuse, blatant self harm).

Of course some drugs can be given on prescription and personally I am all for this but in small amounts. There have been cases where people claim cannabis on the NHS to help alleviate pains in crippling illnesses, and then many become hooked and abuse cannabis - thats why I feel the NHS should keep tighter restrictions on who should receive such prescriptions and how much they should be for.

As for drug users I don't think much of them. If someone is willing to take drugs and destroy their health with something that is against the law - then that is completely up to them - and as long as they don't hurt others (Which it can lead to, many people hurting family members by being distant).

I feel kids are educated well on drugs these days. With it coming into the public eye with cases where teenagers have died from OD's etc - I, personally, had many lessons on drugs in school to the point where it become tedious. So I don't think the problem is with education - but probably with role models (Many of them rock stars) glorifying drug use.

Lauren, a well thought out reply. And, I like how you put the part about Alcohol in it. Some people do class the two as the same, or even say that Alcohol is worse. I guess the main point is that Alcohol is legal and drugs are not. Alcohol is only really a problem when it becomes a "problem" though, and that's for a whole other thread.

Also, what you said about it turning around and no longer being cool. That's a very valid point. And, I can relate to how it was completely acceptable 15 years ago, yet, from the viewpoints I'm reading on here, isn't anymore.

This thread is very enlightening.

[BigSister]

I know this is on acompletely different topic but I dont drink either Mark

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by BigSister
I know this is on acompletely different topic but I dont drink either Mark

Well, I might have lied. I won't drink heavily when I'm older, I can control what I do. But I made have an occasional one.

[bonnie43uk]

Originally posted by andybigbro
Yeah i will admit i took a cigarette but i hated it

yeah, like me andybigbro .. i tried one when i was 10 and threw up .. best thing that could have happened!!

We've saved thousands and thousands of ŁŁŁŁ's Andy!

.. and our lungs are a nice healthy colour!! ( hopefully)

[James]

Originally posted by Stropz
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?

It's a half-baked scheme.

The government should set up centres where (Class A) drug-addicts can get - and take - the drugs they need for their addiction, for free.

They would also get the help they needed at these places to be weaned off drugs.

They wouldn't have to go to dealers then and pay the huge prices which are usually funded by crime and prostitution.

I've read that a high proportion of thefts are to pay for drugs. We all suffer because of that.

Current drugs policy hasn't worked.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by James
The government should set up centres where (Class A) drug-addicts can get - and take - the drugs they need for their addiction, for free.

They have some of those already, to the best of my knowledge.
I think there is only a couple but it was a recent policy to help clean up the streets of "problem areas"

[lily.]

There are tons of "junkies" in my area (and by junkies, I mean heroin addicts). They are a complete waste of space. Some of them have children, and social work seems incapable of doing anything about the environment these children are being "dragged up" in.

Most of them are petty criminals. They would break into an old lady's house and steal her pension money just to get a fix. Then, the courts do nothing about it.

You are right James, the current drugs policy hasn't worked.. and yet nobody seems to want to change it.

[easypeasy]

nobody gets violent after smokin the herb, tell that to the nations binge drinkers.
it never did Bob any harm (apart from the lung cancer)......

[lily.]

Originally posted by Lauren

They have some of those already, to the best of my knowledge.
I think there is only a couple but it was a recent policy to help clean up the streets of "problem areas"

I was not aware of that. Is it just in England then Lauren? Or cities?

[lily.]

Originally posted by easypeasy
nobody gets violent after smokin the herb, tell that to the nations binge drinkers.
it never did Bob any harm (apart from the lung cancer)......

LoL @ apart from the lung cancer..

But, yes, I am all for legalising cannabis. It's much safer and more sociable than alcohol, and it's legal.

[easypeasy]

Originally posted by Stropz
There are tons of "junkies" in my area (and by junkies, I mean heroin addicts). They are a complete waste of space. Some of them have children, and social work seems incapable of doing anything about the environment these children are being "dragged up" in.

Most of them are petty criminals. They would break into an old lady's house and steal her pension money just to get a fix. Then, the courts do nothing about it.

You are right James, the current drugs policy hasn't worked.. and yet nobody seems to want to change it.

yep i hate smack heads and crack-fiends.

[lily.]

I find that even in this day and age, there are still a lot of people who class everyone who uses drugs as "junkies".

So, that makes Joe Blow with his joint the same as Joe Smackhead with his needle? I think not!.. It saddens me that there are still people who are that narrow-minded.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Stropz

I was not aware of that. Is it just in England then Lauren? Or cities?

I'm not 100% sure because I heard it on the radio one morning - but I think it's in inner-city rundown areas with major problems of syringes on the floor and crime increase (And as far as I am aware it's just in England)

[easypeasy]

Originally posted by Stropz
I find that even in this day and age, there are still a lot of people who class everyone who uses drugs as "junkies".

So, that makes Joe Blow with his joint the same as Joe Smackhead with his needle? I think not!.. It saddens me that there are still people who are that narrow-minded.

these are the same people who cant function without at least 10 cups of coffee a day.....

[lily.]

That's probably why I hadn't heard of it then Lauren.

The thing is, whilst I say that my area is "bad" for junkies.. it's nothing in comparison to some of the inner-city areas. I just think it's bad cuz we have junkies here at all. But, I think no matter where you live nowadays, there's some addicts.

[Tanser_Man]

- Do you use drugs?

Not anymore.

- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?

I used to smoke cannabis (a little) with mates, not anymore and was never a big fan of it anyway... was more of a social acceptance when i was younger. I regret it now but i'm also glad i have had the experience. Seen both sides of the spoon.

- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?

Not really, a few people have spliffs but i don't really care... if it makes them happy so beit.

- What do you think of people who do use drugs?

Depends what drugs, hard drugs like smack... i think the people are very very stupid. Smaller drugs that people are willing to risk, not entirely bothered, alough i don't like any of it near me.

- Do you class all drugs the same?

Nope, certain drugs are acceptable.

- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?

If people feel the need, so beit... they will learn from there mistakes.

- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?

All have there side effects so, unless medically proven, nothing is safe to take.

- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?

Nope. I think the laws now are good enough at the moment.

- Do you class all drug users the same?

Nope. Different scenarios, different storys, different reasons.

- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?

I don't really agree with using drugs to overcome drugs tbh. They'll become addicted to the buzz off methadone, so its a lose lose situation.

- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?

When i was at school it was talked about alot, so yes. TV only enforces the dangers these days.

[easypeasy]

It is interesting how a lot of the worlds most acclaimed and creative minds were fueled by psych-altering substances and other cultures revere the use of plants to enhance the spirit.
Theres a difference between that and "gettin off your ead"

[Slartibartfast]

- Do you use drugs?

Yes, I still smoke cannabis (resin, can't get grass/weed where I am)on a fairly regular basis. Have been doing this since I was in Uni.

- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?

Apart from still using cannabis, I have taken an "E" once many years ago. Wasn't really my kind of thing and I was never into the whole dance/rave music scene that E was associated with, so never really bothered with E. During Uni, I would probably have taken acid if I could have got some, but never had the opportunity since it's so hard to get here. I did have the option to take coke before but I wouldn't touch it. I don't regret any of my drug choices.

- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?

Most of my old Uni mates where big potheads, I was too so didn't mind. One guy did a lot of coke and it screwed him badly. He got treatment and is doing much better now (he still likes a spliff every now and then!) Nowadays, my mates generally take a smoke but not that much and nothing else.
- What do you think of people who do use drugs?

Depends on the drug. I have no problem with people smoking a bit of cannabis.

- Do you class all drugs the same?

No.

- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?

Again, depends on the drug. There are certain drugs which I don't think you can take on a recreational basis, they become too much a part of your life that it's no longer recreational.

- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?

I have smoked cannabis for years and still been able to have a (so far!!) relatively successful career in a relatively stressful job. So I think it has been safe enough for me, but not everyone reacts the same and obviously not all drugs are the same.

- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?

Yep, cannabis. Generally harmless stuff, especially compared to alcohol and nicotine. If these three drugs were presented to the government today for the first time, alcohol and nicotine would be much more likely to be criminalised than cannabis would. Cannabis should be legal.

- Do you class all drug users the same?

No, in my view, generally coke and heroin users are in a different league to your potheads and E users. But every drug has the capability of taking over the life of anyone, so it depends on the person as well.

- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?

Don't know enough about it.

- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?

No idea!


Some interesting views on this thread so far. One thing I'd say is I never accept a "slippery slope" argument in any context simply cos as a peice of reasoning, it's fundamentally flawed. Plus using cannabis hasn't led me to using stronger or more dangerous drugs.

I was a complete hippy stoner at university (long hair down to my a***, led zeppelin t-shirt on constantly, only drank in dark, dingey bars that played weird psychedelic music and had a relaxed attitude to the occasional spliff being lit up!!). Now that I am bit older, I still like a smoke, although it doesn't form the basis for my social life and circle of friends like it did way back in the (good???) old days at Uni.

Wow, I feel better for sharing. Lets all have group hug (while I try to get this thai stick lit.... )

[sol]

- Do you use drugs? No
- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it? No, but I've been in the company of other people taking them and have also been offered them, which wasn't pleasant.
- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this? One of my friends from my old school did along with some of his friends from his area who I didn't know very well. I felt uneasy when in their company.
- What do you think of people who do use drugs? I think that they need help, there's usally something not quite right in their lives which is the reason why they take drugs.
- Do you class all drugs the same? No, things like alcohol and nicotine are different to heroin etc...
- What do you think of "recreational drug use"? It's not as bad I don't think but could still get out of control and cause serious harm to people
- Do you consider some drugs to be safe? I don't think that soft drugs are as dangerous as hard drugs but I still wouldn't regard any drugs to be safe. Even nocotine and alcohol damages your health if used too often for too long.
- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised? No
- Do you class all drug users the same? I think that people who take hard drugs are far worse than people who take soft drugs, I also think that injecting is way worse as well.
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile? I've only just found out what this is, but from what I can see, if it gets people off drugs and onto a drug that is not harmful then surely that's a positive thing.
- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs? Funnily enough we had a workshop at school today talking about drugs but I didn't really learn anything that I didn't know before. I think that many kids aren't well educated enough about drugs as many still go and take them.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Slartibartfast
Some interesting views on this thread so far. One thing I'd say is I never accept a "slippery slope" argument in any context simply cos as a peice of reasoning, it's fundamentally flawed. Plus using cannabis hasn't led me to using stronger or more dangerous drugs.

100% Agree. A lot of the people I know who are opposed to cannabis use that as their argument, yet my close friends, who have smoked it since adolescence, haven't progressed to anything else. Many of them don't even drink much either. So, for me it's more of a lifestyle choice.

I no longer smoke cannabis, but that is mostly because I'm a mother. I wouldn't smoke whilst pregnant obviously, and I just have a different outlook on things now, and try to live a cleaner lifestyle overall. But, that doesn't mean that I think all mothers/fathers shouldn't smoke it. I would much rather they smoked hash than drank alcohol. Again, just my opinion.

I find this thread very enlightening. I'm glad I started it. I find that I share the same views as the FMs who are around my age, but it's interesting to hear the views of the under 21s, as I obviously am completely out of touch with that generation.. being an "oldie"..

[lily.]

Originally posted by easypeasy
It is interesting how a lot of the worlds most acclaimed and creative minds were fueled by psych-altering substances and other cultures revere the use of plants to enhance the spirit.
Theres a difference between that and "gettin off your ead"

True. However, at what cost? I mean, they might have created something amazing whilst in a drug induced state.. but did it adversely affect other parts of their life?

For me, some drugs are absolutely acceptable, and some aren't. But it also depends on the individual and the circumstances

[SiMoN!]

i have never felt the need to do drugs

and for a 17 yr old i dont even drink that much - not as much as my mates do

[Sunny_01]

- Do you use drugs?
Not anymore

- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?
Yes I did used to take drugs quite heavily. Do I regret it I have to say NO I am who I am because of all my experinces in life drug taking included

- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?
Yes they do in fact I have had a friend die of an overdose 2 years ago

- What do you think of people who do use drugs?
I dont think that you can clump all drug users into a nice fits all what do I think category. I do think that they are foolish (myself included) though and should really think before taking that first hit, it aint never going to be your only one!

- Do you class all drugs the same?
Yep - if something is a mild altering substance then it is a drug

- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?
Not a lot really - just think it is the same as regualr use just with blinkers on really the old "I'm not dependent or anythin"

- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?
Nope - all can cause long term physical and enduring mental health problems

- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?
No I would like to see some re-classified into a higher class, for example cannabis, the mental health problems that people suffer after regular use of this is unbelievable
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?
It's inneffective, expensive and a way to make money for the government. Methadone is actually more addictive than Heroin, it is a purer substance, why replace one with the other, ah yes to get money!!


- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?
Not really - it is still a bit taboo in schools, it is a case of here is the leaflet read it and take note

[Sophii3x]

I hate Drugs, never taken any, never will. They **** up people's lives.
My sisters friend took cocaine just before a GCSE exam.. Idiot. Also a few people in my year take them.

I also hate everything about smoking

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Sophii3x
I hate Drugs, never taken any, never will. They **** up people's lives.

I can see your point, but as many people have already mentioned - not all drugs have long term affects on peoples lives. Just something to take into account.