[lily.]

Now that CBB is over, I would like to start a serious debate.

Today's subject is: Drugs.

Some points to discuss might be:

- Do you use drugs?
- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?
- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?
- What do you think of people who do use drugs?
- Do you class all drugs the same?
- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?
- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?
- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?
- Do you class all drug users the same?
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?
- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?

Please try to discuss at length and be respectful to others' opinions.

[The_Hitman]

Can we participate if we're off our t i t s?????

[lily.]

It will be much more interesting if you are... go for it!

[MarkWaldorf]

Hmm, I hate drugs, and the people who I know that use them. They're all messed up, self-obsessed *****. And they're messing up their lives even more by taking drugs.

[andybigbro]

i have never had any serious drug, but i have tried smiking and it was disgusting.

i dont like drugs. Infact i hate them, i Did a whole discursive essay on them and it was relly good lol

[Chrizzle]

I would never use drugs! I have never smoked etc. And I never want to.
I have had a good education about it at my school, and I know the risks.

I don't believe in judging people that do take them. They just need help.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by Chrizzle
I don't believe in judging people that do take them. They just need help.

They don't need help if their doing it because their friends do. It makes them stupid and it's putting their life at risk.

[lily.]

I'm interested to hear the views of the younger members on this forum. Mainly because as a parent, I'm interested to know how well-educated young people are when it comes to drug use.

We weren't really educated about drugs at all. "Just say No" was about as comprehensive as our drug education went.

I have used drugs in the past. I don't anymore. Pretty much everyone in my peer group done it back then, and thought we were invinsible. Some of them didn't make it to 33.

[andybigbro]

Originally posted by Markus™
Hmm, I hate drugs, and the people who I know that use them. They're all messed up, self-obsessed *****. And they're messing up their lives even more by taking drugs.

There not to blame for the drug the drug overtakes them and they rely on the drug to help them because they have feel they have no one to turn to. they are not self obsessed they have a disease that makes them need to the drgug to survive

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by andybigbro

There not to blame for the drug the drug overtakes them and they rely on the drug to help them because they have feel they have no one to turn to. they are not self obsessed they have a disease that makes them need to the drgug to survive

I'm talking about the people who I know that do it. Some people do it to help themselves, yes. But that's not the reason why these people are doing it.

[lily.]

I would have to agree with Markus to an extent. They take the drugs by choice. They might need help once it becomes an addiction, but often, it's just a social thing, and they want to take them. I was warned by many people about my behaviour, but I didn't pay attention.

I'm not judging them either Chrizzle, but we all have choices to make, and we have to live with them afterwards.

[bonnie43uk]

I've only tried drugs once.. my friend gave me some skank in a bag.. which i kept in a drawer for months and months. One evening i was bored , and decided i'd like to try it, being a non smoker, i had a bright idea of sprinkling it on my toast.. i did'nt realise he'd given me about Ł50 worth, and i sprinkled THE WHOLE LOT on my toast. I was munching away, and after about 30 minutes the room was expanding and shrinking in waves.. I was listening to a Micheal Jackson CD ..after a while i was convinced he was in the room with me.. i felt absolutly fantastic!!! ... then it started to go wrong, and i found myself clinging to the furniture panicking. Being on my own at the time, i rang my girlfriend Hayley.. and shouted down the phone .."HAYLEY .. I'M OFF MY ******N FACE ON DRUGS"!!!! ... then i heard a voice .. "Hang on, I'll get Hayley"!!! .. OMG .. it was her mum!!!

.. she would'nt speak to me for 3 days!!!

Never again!!! dont do it kids!

Thats my drug story.

[easypeasy]

- Do you use drugs?
wont turn down a quick tug on a spliff if its passed my way
- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?
yes, and yes
- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?
some do, nothing man-made though
- What do you think of people who do use drugs?
a bit reckless
- Do you class all drugs the same?
No way, only a fool thinks that.
- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?
too expensive
- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?
as safe if not safer than alcahol
- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?
yes, weed.
- Do you class all drug users the same?
Nope
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?
nope, its a waste of money
- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?
obviously not.

[andybigbro]

Originally posted by Markus™

I'm talking about the people who I know that do it. Some people do it to help themselves, yes. But that's not the reason why these people are doing it.

Ok, People who do it because"they think its fun" are just really silly becasue not only do they look really daft they and putting there life in danger. Alot of teenagers are peer pressured into doing it which makes them do it to look "cool" and fit in with the crowed.

But Whats the Point?

but people who are addicted are not to blame the drugs are to blame as the drug overpowers them and its hard not to take a drug when your addicted. Drug addiction is a disease although people may not see it as that

[lily.]

Originally posted by easypeasy
- Do you use drugs?
wont turn down a quick tug on a spliff if its passed my way
- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?
yes, and yes
- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?
some do, nothing man-made though
- What do you think of people who do use drugs?
a bit reckless
- Do you class all drugs the same?
No way, only a fool thinks that.
- What do you think of "recreational drug use"?
too expensive
- Do you consider some drugs to be safe?
as safe if not safer than alcahol
- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised?
yes, weed.
- Do you class all drug users the same?
Nope
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile?
nope, its a waste of money
- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?
obviously not.

Thanks for your honesty.. and, I agree with a lot of ur answers. I might just repost the list with my own answers as well.

[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.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by andybigbro

Ok, People who do it because"they think its fun" are just really silly becasue not only do they look really daft they and putting there life in danger. Alot of teenagers are peer pressured into doing it which makes them do it to look "cool" and fit in with the crowed.

But Whats the Point?

but people who are addicted are not to blame the drugs are to blame as the drug overpowers them and its hard not to take a drug when your addicted. Drug addiction is a disease although people may not see it as that

Of course it's a drug addiction, that's why when people start, they can't stop. Then they end up wasting loads of money, which then leads to stealing, and them commiting crimes. So they're getting in more trouble by trying to buy these drugs.

[BigSister]

- Do you use drugs?

I have never used drugs and never will I dont smoke either. I knew a few people at work who used drugs and felt strongly about it as it affected their work, but if they want to use them its their ownm decsion. I dont class drugs in the same categorys like paracetamol is adrug but i wouldnt call it a strong drug like cocaine or heron. I wouldnt like to see the hard drugs to be legal or the same and I feel that yes kids today are educated well on drugs and the risks of them

[lily.]

- Do you use drugs? No
- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it? Yes and No
- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this? Yes, but only hash really
- What do you think of people who do use drugs? I think they make their own choices and will have to live with the consequences of those choices.
- Do you class all drugs the same? No. I would never, and have never touched Heroin. But, I have no issue with someone smoking a joint.
- What do you think of "recreational drug use"? I used to do it, from Thursday to Sunday. It wasn't anymore expensive than going out on the lash all weekend. And, it was more the "done thing" back in the early 90s.
- Do you consider some drugs to be safe? Yes, hash.
- Would you like to see any drugs legalised/decriminalised? Yes, hash.
- Do you class all drug users the same? Definitely not. I think Heroin addicts are a drain on society. Most of them rob/steal to feed their habits, which affects me. Other drug users only affect themselves and their own life.
- Do you think the current methadone program is worthwhile? Definitely not. Studies show that methadone is more addictive than heroin. I believe in "cold turkey". Once someone has gone through that, they will be less likely to go back. Don't make it easy to quit, or else where's the incentive to stay "quit".
- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs? I actually do not know, which is one of the main reasons I started this thread. I'm interested to know what kind of msg our education system is giving to the youth of today. Zammo didn't do it for me..

[The_Hitman]

Originally posted by BigSister
- Do you use drugs?

I have never used drugs and never will I dont smoke either. I knew a few people at work who used drugs and felt strongly about it as it affected their work, but if they want to use them its their ownm decsion. I dont class drugs in the same categorys like paracetamol is adrug but i wouldnt call it a strong drug like cocaine or heron. I wouldnt like to see the hard drugs to be legal or the same and I feel that yes kids today are educated well on drugs and the risks of them

Wow, you come from Accy and youve never used drugs??

That must have been a sheltered life!

[easypeasy]

Ive smoked a lot of weed in my life, took speed and ecstacy occasionally, done magic mushrooms a few times, oh and used to do a bit of acid. tried coke once but it didnt do f all.
not had anything apart from a smoke for about ten years and i dont smoke cigarettes or drink very often now, those two are the killers.

[The_Hitman]

I look like Pete Doherty at weekends.

[MarkWaldorf]

- Do you use drugs?
Nope, and I don't think I ever will. I won't drink either.

- Have you ever used drugs, and if so, do you regret it?
No and no.

- Do any of your friends use drugs, and if so, how do you feel about this?
None of my friends do, but I know people in my school who do. And ironically their the ones under achieving.

- What do you think of people who do use drugs?
I think the people who use it to fit in are stupid, and pathetic.

- Do you class all drugs the same?
Nope, same can be dangerous than others, some are used as medicine, the others are the drugs which this topic is about.

- Do you think that kids are well enough educated nowadays about the risks of drugs?
It's probably taught everywhere, but there's always a group which won't care about the damages. They'll take it to look cool.

[andybigbro]

Yeah i will admit i took a cigarette but i hated it

[MarkWaldorf]

Andy, why did you take one?