A sensible discussion about current drugs policy.

[discodown]

But did you become addicted?

It's nice that you learned to love music but sad you had to take drugs to do so.

Nope, never became addicted to anything but never took anything that was particularly addictive. Coke was probably the most addictive substance I tried (apart from nicotine) and I found I didn't really like like it so wasn't interested enough in it to become an addict

[*_ash_*]

I used to be of a similar mindset to you (quoted to Bassman62)

 

Same here. It's one of the few major things that I've changed my mind about in my life (this and my religious beliefs would probably be the top 2). I would say also early 20's for me.

 

It's perhaps the reason why I keep posting. I've seen people change their views on here before, so even though I think it's banging head against wall with many posters, I can't help but see the logical answer, and want others to see it.

(my goodness, me and Digsy almost agreeing on something! )

[Alien]

This is the point that I don't quite understand, Why not? You're an ex addict what are people wanting to take these drugs for? As an ex addict you should know the answer to your own question

Are they sad inferior individuals. Again..look to the mirror

Does it make them feel big. Dunno..does it?

Do they need it because they aren't mentaly equipped to get a normal high. You're looking very silly now

Will there be a limit as with paracetamol (except you can go to the shop next door and get more)?

Nobody seems to have a plan as to best the way to distribute the stuff legaly,

Some can't even tell you who will be the first to put you on the downhill road your doctor or Tescos.

 

How many of you take what are classed as illegal drugs and how many of you have been or are addicted?

 

You people be honest enought to tell all about your habits and I'll tell you about when I was addicted and the effect that it had on me and my family.

 

 

 

Why would anyone wish to discuss any addiction with you? You posses zero empathy considering you are or were the exact that you patronisingly look down your nose at. Yer a funny fella.

[*_ash_*]

Why would anyone wish to discuss any addiction with you? You posses zero empathy considering you are or were the exact that you patronisingly look down your nose at. Yer a funny fella.

 

If that were true, then most of the debating so far has been pointless, as the meaning completely changes.

[Alien]

If that were true, then most of the debating so far has been pointless, as the meaning completely changes.

 

Considering bassman's inability to understand the complexity of drug use either by himself or by any other that uses drugs seems quite amazing considering he's an ex addict. It's very easy to pigeon hole a whole set of people based on a "Daily Mail" stereotype. Bassman indicated at what his addiction had on "his family"...that probably had more to do with him and drug use rather than drug use generally. It effects many people in many different ways and through experience non with the exception of one (ex employee) has it had negative effects on how they were as citizens or parents apart from the cost. People seldom tend to do any harm by taking drugs...it's its associations through its illegality that causes the problems. Man's been using drugs recreationally for thousands of years. Man has built empires around the illegal use of drugs. Drug use won't stop because it's been legalized, but it would clean up a lot of the probs associated with illegal drugs.

[*_ash_*]

I didn't know he was an ex-addict. I missed that post.

 

That means that few of his posts make sense to me.

 

People seldom tend to do any harm by taking drugs...it's its associations through its illegality that causes the problems

 

Yep, that's always my argument, and this thread no different. However, I'll see what else is written if the thread stays open.

[Cozmo]

WOW this threads gone banannas, totally!

 

Drug use remains a huge problem in society and has NO simples answers as there are so many considerations to it that make it such a complex issue. Research has also shown the poly-drug use is far more common nowadays than ever before. Firstly, it is a classed issue, there is a wealth of research out there that points to the connection between drug use and areas of deprivation, however, even that phrase is problematic as drug use has to be defined ie do we define by illegality, that is would Cannabis use be classed in the same way as heroin use, of course not as by and large heroin use is more problematic to society than Cannabis use. Another example, crack vs cocaine use, crack is stigmatised and has a strong association with crime/prostitution whereas cocaine use is almost legitamised by certain elements of society (Night out on Division street anyone?) Here is the rub though, its the same dam drug, just a refined and altered version of cocaine but ultimately it has the same effect on the body ie it stimulates the same parts within the brain. Yet crack use is demonised as are crack users.

 

Heroin as a substance is not as harmful as people believe it to be, it is the ilegallity of it that causes the problems ie crime, social exclusion, unemployability, homelessness etc. So again, the illegality of a substance bears heavily upon those of a lower class background, ie if one has the economic capital to maintain and sustain a 'habit' the chances are that aside from the physical aspects of addiction they may be spared many of the above considerations as they may be able to afford a ready and constant supply without resorting to crime.

 

Fortunately there are many people who work in the drugs field who are aware of this as they have some degree of training/education about it, sadly there are always the 'class deniers', even in the drugs field ((Lol, usually middle-class people oddly enough, strange that isnt it lol!)

 

Ultimately, we know that witholding treatment, custodial measures and policing peoples addiction does not show very positive results so how long can we continue with the "Lock em up and throw away the key" mentality?

 

The way forward, (for heroin addiction anyway as there is no substitue prescribing for cocaine/crack use) is to have the discussion about prescribing heroin/diamorpine to those who need it.

[AJ sheffield]

The reason people are addicts at the moment is because the drug is illegal.

And because it is illegal, it is easily obtained from drug pushers.

Drug pushers use devious tactics to get customers, offering freebies, spiking drinks, cigarettes, substituting drugs, so on and so forth.

Doctors won't have this incentive.

By legalising the drug, the current dealers can be outpriced by the nhs, possibly offering savings to the tax payer from nhs/police/court/prison costs.

Effectively extinguishing the drug pushers trade.

With not enough customers the dealers cannot operate, which means they are going to be less likely to get the next generation hooked on it, because they're is no profit.

The current addicts, less inclined to commit crime to fund their habits.

The Nhs cashing in on the estimated 4-6.6 billion (2004 figures) black market UK drugs trade.

Reducing the amount of future users, as proven with other countries and states in america (where these laws were treatied to us) decriminalising.

 

The police have more time to deal with more serious crimes, the prison spaces used up for the more serious offenders.

 

I honestly can't understand why anyone in the UK would want to defend these American acts/statutes, when the country that made them can pick and choose where in it's own realms those laws apply or not.

 

You must be going to the wrong dealers, all the ones I know simply sell it from their house or meet buyers at a phone box, no crafty sales tactics used, you give then money and they give you drugs (or maybe a large dose of creatine). I'm sure some of you out of work mature students have been overdosing on the tippex.

[Bassman62]

You must be going to the wrong dealers, all the ones I know simply sell it from their house or meet buyers at a phone box, no crafty sales tactics used, you give then money and they give you drugs (or maybe a large dose of creatine). I'm sure some of you out of work mature students have been overdosing on the tippex.

 

No you've got it all wrong mate, they've got to live up to the legend which just like the 60s drug legend is totaly removed from reality.

[Bassman62]

Why would anyone wish to discuss any addiction with you? You posses zero empathy considering you are or were the exact that you patronisingly look down your nose at. Yer a funny fella.

Because I was precribed a prescription drug at a time when knowone was aware that it was addictive, but, as per usual one or two of you jump in feet first with your snidy remarks.

In the late 70s I was prescribed Benzodiazepams firstly Nitrazepam by my own GP and then Vallium (Diazepam) by an orthopeadic specialist to relieve Spondylosis of the neck which I suffer from.

I was given repeat prescription for several years in increasing doses until one day I decided to try and manage without them and stopped taking them.

The rest for me is now history but it was 3 years of hell for me and moreso my family because unlike self harmers I didn't get any proper help initialy as in the early 80s the industry was in denial about Benzodiazepams being addictive.

In those 3 years I had a very high stress job in my company but I had to walk out and finaly was signed off work sick for 8 months, my job then became a two man load on a rotation basis after that, when I returned I was given alternative duties.

So I do know all about serious addiction I've been there and with the help of a wonderful wife and kids came through the other side.

But I have no sympathy with anyone who knowingly takes none prescription drugs and becomes addicted as that they know beforehand the possible consequences whereas I didn't.