People don't like being 'fully informed' especialy about the 'possible side effects'. Even those that are 'informed' carry on regardless ... me included .
I'm with Claire & Pixified on this. As for people carrying on regardless, that's their choice. A drug i've always wanted to try is exctacy, and it's the only drug I've actually felt pressured by peers into using. But I never have, although have had the chance on tons of occasions. Why not? Because I'm an adult who is perfectly capable of making my own mind up about wether or not I'm prepared to accept associated risks. If anything bad ever happened to me on drugs, I would blame nobody but myself.
I-haven't-personally-found-any-drug-anymore-or-less-addictive-than-any-other,-including-heroin....and-I'm-not-"nuts" I-prefer-pizza-over-any-drug-though
ive had mates who have started using smack n crack, i remember telling an old mate arron yrs ago that hes a fuckin idiot, but he was like, nah man, i make a raise, i buy clothes n shit then with whats left over he scores with, i remember him sayin, i control it it dont control me, hes doin 11yrs now for street robbery. a lad i went to school with who was on crack n smack has spent 10 yrs in jail altogether and hes only a yr older then me. and now hes got skitzophrinia. just say no kids.
"If you have an addictive personality then don't try Heroin!!!" How about taking away the "If you have an addictive personality" bit? Heroin is a nasty drug that I'd never touch. However, Heroin users are some of the worst effected by the criminalization of substances. Heroin addiction is a fucking illness, and you don't put ill people in prison.
Whether you've managed to resist a craving for heroin after one, two or however many uses, the fact remains that it's a physiologically addictive drug. Your body will, over time, become dependent on it regardless of your individual personality type. That's a basic medical fact. Oh yeah, and most people don't start out by saying "hey, think I'll develop a class 'A' drug dependency today!". They start out by thinking "one or two times can't hurt. I can handle it."
Luckily for me, I'm pretty realistic about what I can and can't handle. I know that if I even tried Heroin once, I'd struggle to not try it again. and again.
StarFly's point about drugs education is really important... I consider myself lucky to teach in a school where we have a detailed drugs education scheme... but some schools have fairly non-existant drugs ed schemes... in days of scarce resources, those subjects that are examined will always receive a higher priority (thanks to those pesky school league tables)... and drugs education needs to be handled very carefully... you'd be surprised at the numbers pf parents who still go all stupid when you talk to them about the need for drugs ed (and don't even fucking mention sex ed)... they seem to have an amazing ability to turn a blind eye to the reality of life around them... I'm amazed at the numbers of kids who come into school obviously under the influence of cannibus... and the rare instances of students who bring cannibus onto school premises... My point is this... at the start of my drugs ed work, I always set out my intention which is not to preach against drug usage... because if I do that, some teenagers will be more inclinded to dabble through simple-minded rebellion... my purpose is always to try to provide accurate and up-to-date information, to stimulate deabte and discussion, and to enable teenagers to make an informed decision about what to do for themselves... some will decide to abstain totally from illegal drugs... some will dabble... and some will become unfortunate victims of certain substances... And however much time and energy and resources you put into drugs ed, there will be a number of teenagers to will only learn through personal experience... look at the issue of cigarette smoking as a prime example... I don't see how it is possible for people to start smoking without being aware of at least some of the dangers associated with nicotine addiction... but a seriously considerable number of people start smoking every year... so, despite knowing that cigarette smoking can lead to serious and even terminal illnesses, people continue to exercise the right to behave in a self-damaging way... As much as it is tempting to blame education for those people who fall foul of certain substances, you have to look at the wider context of parental influence, peer group influence, the role of the media and the general perceived place of "drugs" within the wider culture of society... and, in doing so, you may see the wonder of mixed messages that we give which make the whole issue of drugs one that really needs an open and honest debate in society rather knee-jerkism which is sadly what we too often get from our politicians and media... Fly...
I think people are better off avoiding hard drugs,(I've seen real degradation and suffering caused by both H & C) but there is still some hypocrisy involved because both alcohol and tobacco are also physically addictive substances, and may actually be worse for the body than opiates, yet 'society' sanctions their use, whilst discouraging physically harmless or less harmful drugs like cannabis and psychedelics. I say this because I've used both dope and psychedelics over a long period with no harm done, but years ago, in my younger days, I had big problems with alcohol. Incidentally, it was cannabis that helped me get off the booze. In the end, it really makes little difference if they legalize drugs or not - people will still take them either way. It is a question of education and individual responsibility. Like most things.
I-am-not-putting-out-a-message...I-am-stating-a-fact-that-is-relevant-and-true-about-me. I-am-well-aware-that-heroin-is-addictive...my-friend-died-at-19-off-it...(hows-that-for-a-message?) Like-I-give-a-fuck-about-looking-cool...what-an-offensive-thing-for-you-to-say-based-on-one-statement-that-is-true-to-me. I-am-constantly-stating-that-people-should-be-careful-before-taking-drugs....that-they-can-fuck-you-up...and-also-that-they-aren't-short-cut-to-spirituality I-quote-(just-one-example): Pretty-fucked-off-with-you-right-now...
Addiction to anything can be thought of as an illness ... Doesn't matter if it's alcohol, heroin, marijuana, sex or gambling .... Being a slave to instant gratification through external input can be a very damaging thing.
The problem with cannabis is that it's socially acceptable within many circles ... People tend to turn a blind eye to the potential psychological damage because of the lack of stigma attached to its use.
Oh and in my opinion. instant gratification through use of a mind altering substance is not a shortcut to spirituality
