opinions on recreational drugs

[ChibiHorsewoman]

[color=violet]I've been pondering this question for a while, trying to find the best way to put it. UNfortunately I haven't been able to do that. Instead I'm just going to come out and ask the question point blank.:

What is your opinion on recreational drug use?

I don't do it since the smell of most of it makes me sick and I have no desire to throw up on my friend's floors. Yes, that's right I have friends who do drugs. They just don't ask me to participate.

I honestly don't see why someone would want to spend money on getting so out of it they don't remember where they are. However, I don't feel it's in my place to judge another person's actions no matter how stupid these actions may be.[/color]

[Justin]

Eh, I can only speak for Christians. But in that sense, the Bible says that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Intentionally harming that temple by, say, marijuana use or excessive alcohol consumption would not be too great.

Speaking generally, I'm with you: The stuff smells fierce. Plus, I also have plenty of friends who do various kinds of drugs and intoxicants. I'm not impressed with the outcome in most cases.

-Justin

[Boba Fett]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChibiHorsewoman [/i]
[B][color=violet]I've been pondering this question for a while, trying to find the best way to put it. UNfortunately I haven't been able to do that. Instead I'm just going to come out and ask the question point blank.:

What is your opinion on recreational drug use?

I don't do it since the smell of most of it makes me sick and I have no desire to throw up on my friend's floors. Yes, that's right I have friends who do drugs. They just don't ask me to participate.

I honestly don't see why someone would want to spend money on getting so out of it they don't remember where they are. However, I don't feel it's in my place to judge another person's actions no matter how stupid these actions may be.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

[COLOR=green]I see. I know of people who do drugs, but don't associate with them. Anyone who would intentionally use mind-altering substances isn't worthy of my time.

I strongly encourage you to:

A) Help this person break their addiction

B) Disassociate yourself with them

You're a smart person, from what I've read of your posts. You are better than this. Besides, there could potentially be legal consequences for being around a drug user.

I'll end with this quote:[/COLOR]

[quote][size=1][I]Originally uttered by George Washington[/I][/size]
Associate yourself with men of quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company.[/quote]

[JC Goodwin]

I just gotta say that any body whom does drugs and are stoners and crack heads. Your a bunch of well i cant say that on this page but still screw drugs if you want to muff your life up and dont get other people involed involed in your crap.

[Semjaza]

I've been surrounded by drugs most of my life. My dad did cocaine and probably other things. My grandfather once commented that he thought my dad joining the Navy when he was younger was the best thing he ever did, because it got him off of that stuff. I didn't tell him that my dad still did that stuff well after he left the Navy. He was already dead at that point, so why ruin the memory?

In any case, most of my parents' family friends did this stuff. They'd try to hide it, but anyone with eyes would see it from time to time. My stepfather is pretty big on marijuana. He used to grow it in the basement and there's pipes and bongs around the basement from time to time.

Anyway, what I'm getting at, is that I don't really think any of these people are [i]bad[/i] because of this. They just got into something that perhaps they shouldn't have. However, being that they are older than I am, do what is required of them otherwise and other things to that effect... I can't say I'm in a position to say anything about it.

Personally, I have absolutely no interest in drugs on any level. I don't even have the desire to try it once. I'm messed up enough as it is when I'm sober. I don't need something altering that. In addition to that, I just do not like the idea of me not having control of my actions. It's the same reason why I don't drink... despite all the "do it in moderation" stuff people tell me.

For other people, eh. They can do what they want. I'd rather my friends didn't do these sorts of things (none do drugs that I know of and only a few drink occasionally), but I've grown past the phase where I get mad at them about it. They have to make their own choices.

[James]

[color=#707875]For me, the subject isn't really a yes or no question.

I have some friends who smoke marijuana and stuff like that...yet they are all very responsible in school. They are going for the same degree as myself and they're as responsible, if not moreso, than I am when it comes to schoolwork.

So in those cases, it's not something I even think about. If they want to do it in moderation now and then and if it doesn't affect their lives negatively...it's not something I get wound up about. I'm not [i]so[/i] concerned with my personal image that I'm going to let them reflect on me.

But of course, if these people were actually getting high all the time and were acting like complete fools...I wouldn't be their friend in the first place. So, I guess that's what it comes down to.

In terms of myself...I've never had any interest in drugs of any kind. I do occasionally drink alcohol socially, but I never drink it by myself and I never allow myself to get drunk. I've always kept a strong sense of control and I've always been responsible with that kind of thing (not to mention the fact that alcohol doesn't really make me drunk...I would feel sick rather than drunk, if anything).

In general though, it's not something I have a massive problem with. If someone wants to go out there and destroy their life...go ahead. It's not my business.

However, I would draw the line if that same person was going out there and trying to get kids involved, or putting others at risk by smoking around them. I think that's definitely the wrong approach. If you're going to do that kinda thing, do it by yourself or with like-minded people...but don't force everyone else to experience it.[/color]

[Syk3]

[color=30415d]I see drugs use in three different ways, none of which I would ever advocate or participate in, but nonetheless ironically have quite a few friends who are pot heads and whatnot. These mainly apply to marijuana, but I suppose they can be used to explain other drugs as well.

The first general category that I'd place it in is "an escape". A lot of people will use drugs to escape life's problems and live in their care-free world for that hour or so. They can't deal with the hardships that life throws at them, and they turn to drugs to make them happy. I personally find this stupid and see those who do this as weak for not standing up and facing whatever it is. They think drugs are the answer to their problems, and in reality it's only going to start more problems.

Other people will use drugs "to be cool". The only reason they are doing it is because everyone else is, and they're trying it in order to fit in and be accepted. The aforementioned statement is how I define preps. This attitude can also be associated with weakness. These people doing drugs just because everyone else is is far too ignorant to ever understand exactly why they are doing it in the first place, and find their own truths. I can't understand why you would do something like that to fit in when you havn't given deep thought to your morale. O_o

The last point.. is kind of open-ended. I would place my friends in this category, because they don't fit into the two above. They do drugs because they want to, they want to live on the edge, and repeatedly use the bible's quote "use the Earth to it's full advantage", or something along those lines. <____< I don't agree with any method of turning to drugs, but it's better than the above two, in my opinion. You're destroying your body, draining your money, and getting into the bad crowd when you do drugs. I have a friend online who was banned from OtakuBoards earlier this year, and ever since his mom gave him $900, he's had nothing else to spend it on and decided to turn to drugs. I'm literally watching as he just gets deeper and deeper, worse and worse, and am always telling him to get help. He was bragging a few weeks ago that it would be only too easy to quit, but he hasn't been able to and is slowly realizing that he has set the foundation for his friends and his future. But it's your body, and I'm not going to preach anything to you. I simply ask that you don't include myself in it, and that you're fully aware of the concequences when you delve into drugs and such.

I know I probably made some pretty bold statements, but you asked our opinion on recreational drug use, and I've given it to you. ^_~

As for myself, I'll stick with the "never have, never will" motto.[/color]

[Moradri]

Well, er. Quite the anti-drug crowd. While I have done drugs sometimes myself, I never did it to excess. Although, there are people doing exactly that right now, and that is a point against them. People do do drugs to excess, and this ruins their lives, and the people around them that care for them feel the effects of this, and it's never positive.

I am a strong believer in duality. Nothing can be quantified as simply one thing. Drugs can be recreational, yes, but it's not really recreational when they ruin lives.

Er. I personally feel it's a person's decision. I don't go for the morality stuff, and it is enjoyable; but, my only problem is, like I said, when they drag other people down.

Do what you will with my statements.

[Doukeshi]

Well, I have a few friends who smoke Weed, I've tried it myself though I don't particularly feel the need to do so again. A few of the are high achievers, a few aren't and a few are average. It's like drinking alcohol really, or smoking tobacco. I don't think that Marijuana can cause much harm and really isn't all that terrible. It's when you start using the hard stuff like heroine and cocaine, that's when the real trouble starts.

A couple of my friends have the mentality that you should try most things at least once, unless it's harmful to others. I don't really see a problem with that.

[Sara]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]Personally, I have absolutely no interest in drugs on any level. I don't even have the desire to try it once. I'm messed up enough as it is when I'm sober. I don't need something altering that.

In addition to that, I just do not like the idea of me not having control of my actions. It's the same reason why I don't drink... despite all the "do it in moderation" stuff people tell me. [/B][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]I think anything I could say on the subject would just be repeating what Tony said here.[/SIZE]

[ChibiHorsewoman]

[color=violet]I'm not quite sure why one of my friends and her boyfriend did it, except maybe to get one really painful subject (her misscarriage) out of their minds from time to time. Not that it's an excuse, but it seems almost logical.

As for my other friend, he has a few issues along with searching for 'trees' every weekend. I usually try to explain to him that he'd be able to move out of that damned apartment with his roommate if he didn't do it as often, but he doesn't seem to listen.

This guy is pretty cool other wise. He's very funny and somewhat out going. I really don't have much of an idea of why he bothers except for some kind of escape on the weekends.

Like I've said before though. I don't see the allure of doing something for a few minutes of happiness just to drop back down into reality. Besides, it's so expensive and it can be a big risk in a few factors. Like Legality issues and the fact that people mix chemicals into the stuff.[/color]

[Guest cloricus]

I see no problem in responsible use; and that?s basically all I think on this topic.

[Moradri]

Ah, but most people aren't capable of responsible use...

[Guest rttocs77]

I have nothing wrong with it at all, but when you [justin] say that doing things that harm our bodies is sinful, would you include going to places like Mexico City a sin where breathing the air is like smoking a pack of cigarrettes a day. And what about Cocaine, it still has medicinal value. It's still used as an anesthetic. In the early 1900's is used to be put in EVERYTHING including Coca-Cola. If you are going to say that you might as well not do anything, that includes drinking anything with caffeine in it.

I've used drugs recreationally many times and I see no problem with it. It's only when you start abusing it is when it gets out of hand. Abusing anything or endulging in excess of anything is bad for you.

[Corey]

[color=003333][size=1]It's all to easy to lose control of something that was once just 'experimentation'.

About six months ago (anyone remember this?) I was a heavy marijuana smoker. It really wasn't draining my money, so I never really thought about it as bad. I promised myself that when I was to the point of stealing or borrowing money from people for pot, I'd quit. Well, heh, that never really happened. So I continued using until sometime in the summer when I was bike riding and realized it was really hard to keep my balance.

I had been smoking up about four to six times a week for a couple months. Not the best thing to do, and looking back on it, I was using to fit in. But, eventually I stopped. There's no huge physical addiction to pot, so it was rather easy. I was clean for about, hell, another six months. Then, there were two rather lifeshattering events (one I almost died from and the other tore up my heart) and I began again, though not half as heavy. Maybe once or twice a week, always with friends and always with a designated driver or just a sober person. I eventually stopped again, my lack of ambition in school one of the major points.

My opinion of 'recreational drug usage'?
If it's recreational, and not terribly harmful, go for it. But, if you're like I was, and using to escape problems or to fit in, you need to have some sence knocked into you. It'll change that up-and-coming path to success into a steep decline of your values and life.
Don't believe me? Your problem, not mine.[/size][/color]

[wiccansamurai]

I hate drugs. Because of them, I will never see my uncle. Ever.

He had a dysfunctional family, and at some point started on drugs. But it wasn't too bad at first. He got married, had two beautiful children. His addiction got worse, and he got divorced because my Aunt Sandra couldn't deal with it. He held a few rocky jobs as a carpenter and other such things, came to Illinois to stay with my family. My mom kicked him out because she didn't want the drugs around her eight children. It was a good decision, one meant to protect us. He stayed with several other relatives, getting kicked out for his bad habits each time.

He decided he wanted to quit. Went down to Las Vegas to stay with a friend while he tryed to achieve his goal. One day while out on errands with the friends car, he comes across some ladies having car troubles. Starts to talk. He still wasn't completely off and these two women did what he did.

They got talking and became "friends." He finally did get off of drugs. He was off, he really was! Going to go back home to all of us a better man! He had a steady job, a good paycheck. But he was still friends with those two women.

They decided they wanted his car (which was actually his friends, and not his to give) and half his pay check. They had done nothing to get these things, but they hassled him for it. Murdered him for.

Those women, and their guy friend, got a few years in jail for this. Actually, one of the women didn't even get any time. They had such a small sentence because my uncle was a user himself, therefore, wasn't as important. And he's gone.

Drugs are dumb, they ruin lives. They ruin families. I'm fighting back tears right now.

[Mitch]

[size=1][color=red] I'm a big supporter of recreational drugs.

My friend Bibby smokes, and I find it highly entertaining to watch him smoke away and kill himself, as well as see the stone-eyed look he gets from smoking.

I think recreational drugs are the best thing to ever come to America, save the terrorists. /thatwasthetruthandyoubetterbelieveit
[/color][/size]

[Guest rttocs77]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wiccansamurai [/i]
[B]
Drugs are dumb, they ruin lives. They ruin families. I'm fighting back tears right now. [/B][/QUOTE]

Sorry that happened to you, but when airplanes crash, they cause deaths. People die all the time in the OR (operating room) because of complications with anesthesia or other things. Does that mean we just assume that all airplanes and all drugs used for anesthesia are bad? It wasn't necessarily drugs that ruined your uncle?s life; it was other components (including himself/his self control) that caused his demise.

You can't go around flippantly blaming drugs on everything bad that happens. Citing specific examples that on the surface make it falsely seem like drugs are the sole thing to blame is just a cheap tactic that the government and irresponsible parents (IE Tipper Gore) try to use to blame drugs and not themselves or their children for things they might do.

I won't disagree with the fact the drugs can alter people and alter their inhibitions, but the main reason a lot of 'illicit' drugs are illegal is because they were abused by people, not because they were [i] that [/i] bad [in moderation, much like everything]. For instance (like I mentioned in a previous post) cocaine used to be the miracle drug/substance. It cured headaches, relieved pain by acting as an [b]anesthetic!!![/b], and brought around temporary euphoria (much like alcohol, which by the way is legal)

In a way, people should be thankful for drug addicts (I know this is a stretch). If people in China weren't getting high (I know they used it previously and at the time for valid medical purposes) then we probably wouldn't have discovered the opiate which lead to the creation of one of the greatest medicinal advancements of all time, morphine. However, with morphine also came heroine.

My bottom line is: drugs in general that alter your mind or the state of your body can help, but they also can hurt. You can't though, go around claiming that all 'drugs' are bad because in effect you are saying that many things people rely on are 'bad.' [People abuse prescription drugs ALL the time] If someone is constantly getting high and ruining his/her life and lives around them, I have no pity for them. It's their fault that they let drugs take over their life. They let it go to that point. In essence, it's people not drugs.



**There are two substances out there that I see as having to redeemable value because they only hurt you no matter how much of it you take. They are inhalants (like aerosol cans and things like that that just batter your brain cells and cut off oxygen supply to your brain) and ecstasy which causes your brain to essentially attack itself (the serotonin and dopamine receptors). People just need to be educated about it, and we should also keep drugs out of the hands of stupid people. ;)

[wiccansamurai]

Oh great, now I am crying.

If its not prescribed by a doctor or its not an over the counter drug being used properly, its just dumb. People get hurt. I'm sorry you have no pity for people who expieremented and found themselves too deep to get out.

To say it was my uncles fault that he was that way, not my abusive grandparents for practically giving him the crap, thats horrible. I'm sorry, but that's just how I feel on it.

And Mitch, you know I love you, right? *Pitiful attempt at humor while in a bad mood*

EDIT: And I thought we were just talking about recreational drugs, not the stuff doctors give you.

[Guest rttocs77]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by wiccansamurai [/i]
[B]

EDIT: And I thought we were just talking about recreational drugs, not the stuff doctors give you. [/B][/QUOTE]


Newsflash: people use drugs prescribed by a doctor as recreational drugs.

Also a lot of drugs that are illegal nowadays used to be prescribed by doctors, until people started abusing them way too much or they were replaced by safer ones. Did you not read my tidbit on cocaine or did you just selectively read my brilliant post?

Another example is that in the 1960's LSD was used in therapy as well as in the 1980's MDMA (E) was used in marriage counseling.

So shut the f**k up.

[Brasil]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rttocs77 [/i]
[B]Newsflash: people use drugs prescribed by a doctor as recreational drugs.

Also a lot of drugs that are illegal nowadays used to be prescribed by doctors, until people started abusing them way too much or they were replaced by safer ones. Did you not read my tidbit on cocaine or did you just selectively read my brilliant post?

Another example is that in the 1960's LSD was used in therapy as well as in the 1980's MDMA (E) was used in marriage counseling.

So shut the f**k up. [/B][/QUOTE]

rttocs77, shut your mouth. You have no right at all to speak to anyone in that tone, and wiccansamurai certainly did not deserve that level of arrogance. I think you should take some time for self re-evaluation. You have never demonstrated any positive quality in attitude or in post, as well. I am inclined to say that you are the moron here--and a very uneducated moron, at that. Perhaps it would suit you to get banned, so that you can politely excuse yourself from OB. In fact, once I am able to speak to Charles, this issue will be raised again. Yes, again. Think about that. Let it sink in.

Now, Mitch, I'm going to assume you were being sarcastic, but that was still too over-the-top, lol. Take a look at Swift's Modest Proposal. It's something that believes itself, not mocking itself.

Drugs, eh? While I do not advocate drug use, whether for medicinal or recreational purposes. Medicinal...well...that's a gray area. A very large gray area. I'm not going to get into that.

But in general, addictive substances are bad ideas. This includes cigarettes, coke, alcohol, marijuana, smack, speed...the list goes on.

The push to legalize/illegalize drug use is not that great of an idea, because it's still a bandaid application. Meaning, making something legal/illegal is not going to help the problem. It just means more people are going to do it openly, such in the case of legalization. Do we really want [i]more[/i] people taking a hit off of a severe narcotic? And illegalization has the same problems. If we prohibit something, then people will still do it.

The solution here is education. We have to press the issues of drug education and information about the dangers of drug use. We cannot think that outlawing something will stop it, nor think that letting people do it whenever is the solution.

The problem lies at the root. And that root is diseased. Awareness and education, and most importantly, [i]support[/i], are going to treat the root. The bandaid application is merely cutting off limbs...stripping the tree bare. Not a very worthwhile solution, if you ask me.

If you want me to clarify further, I will.

[Maully]

[color=green]Wow, this is something ugly. Wiccansamaurai, that is a terrible story. It is very tragic, and yet not uncommon. I do not mean to belittle your tragedy by any means by saying that, do not misunderstand. Drugs do these things to people, I agree.

I do not condone the use of hard drugs, they make a mess of things. I myself have had a good deal to do with them, but, thankfully, that period in my life is over. Not everyone has my parents, willing to go to any lengths to help me, and not everyone has the will to determine that they aren't going to do it anymore. I have been clean now for five years, and happier for it.

Now recreationally, I still do not condone drug use, and I will not abide to be around it, for my own sake. I do have several friends who are potheads, but they live productive lives. They go to their jobs, they do well in school. It's seems so simple to explain, but to put a blanket statement like,"They aren't hurting anyone but themselves," it seems too trite, I guess. I have no power to make them stop though, so I don't raise the issue with them, I just remove myself from the situation.[/color]

By the way, this is my 250th post hurray!

[Doukeshi]

Recreational drug use has been around for a very long time. Take the Native American's for instance who used to smoke substances to help them transcend to the spiritual plane. This kind of usage has been seen through history where it has been used to encourage visions and premonitions suchas the Oracle at Delphi and oriental opium.

Berserkers also used drugs to get themselves into a frenzy before battle, hell LSD has been blamed for the fits those girls suffered in Salem that caused the witch trials.

It's only now that we are aware their scientific effects that we so highly fear it. Of course I'm not saying we should go into a high octain drug orgy, I'm just saying that it doesn't matter if it's legal or not, people are still going to get high. It's just another part of humany stupidity I'm afraid folks and no amount of education or discovery is going to change that.

[Guest rttocs77]

LSD doesn't cause psychological problems it just makes dorment ones surface.

Also, nobody here has the right to decide what is a hard or 'soft' drug. It's all opinion.

Another thing is saying that speed is a horrible thing is stupid. Speed refers to amphetamines which is the ingredient in the legal drugs Dexedrine and Adderall, the latter of which I take 6 days a week during the school year. Aside from legalities, what is the difference between me taking it because I was prescribed it by a shrink or someone (like lots of people at my school) take it without a prescription?

Drugs, when used properly, are a good thing. I will continue to 'use' drugs.

I agree with you PT about the need for education, people are always going to use drugs, they've been doing it since the beginning of time. They key is to be safe about doing it, that is if you're going to do it in the first place.

Aside from the 'FU' comment I made, I don't see anything wrong with that I said. I was backing up my completely valid argument.

[Semjaza]

I don't know how someone can use the idea of drugs being used as beneficial treatments 30 or 40 years ago in an argument. You do realize that studies have furthered since then? It's like someone thinking DDT is still benficial to use because people thought it was good in the 40s.