Do you harbour prejudices against people who use drugs?

[Vivi22]

No I don't, but I do harbour some ill will towards those that continue to support drug prohibition. The degree of ill will depends on how much influence they have in making sure nothing changes.

 

[Vykrel]

depending on their financial situation, i would certainly be apprehensive about giving them money. that is about it, though. i know it isnt a situation anyone wants to be in. i feel sorry for them.

 

[Vivi22]

Correction: It used to not bother me. But working and playing with a bunch of fucking addicts for around an entire year? Now it does. I used to want a lot of these things legalized, now I'm conflicted. Keeping it illegal causes crimes, but having the harsh punishments on the addicts? Well... Maybe they'll change. I don't know.

No, they won't. The only thing that prison instead of rehab results in is people who now have an even harder time turning their lives around, are more likely to resort to crime when they get out (whether to feed their addiction or to simply get by), and they'll have received the best education in crime you can get: serving time in prison.

Removing all drug prohibition and putting the money presently going to incarcerating people with addictions into rehab programs instead would do a lot more to fix the problem. Not the least of which would be helping to destigmatize drug use enough that users might actually be more willing to admit they need help, and suddenly be able to get it. And if someone commits a crime like driving while impaired, you'll all of a sudden have some programs to send them to that stand a chance of actually helping them deal with the problem.

Prison isn't rehab, and people need to stop pretending it is.

 

[Uncle Comrade]

I'm very much a live-and-let-live person, happy for people to do what they like to themselves as long as it doesn't inconvenience or harm others.

That said, I have to admit I am slightly prejudiced against drug users, mostly because the majority of the ones I've met have been really boring people. All they ever wanted to talk about was drugs. Drugs they'd taken, drugs they were going to take, what they'd done last time they were high, and what they were going to do next time. It's like "Yeah, I get it, you love your drugs, but do you have any other interests we can talk about for a while?"

I just don't get it, it's like being the only non-football fan in the room during the world cup. Not to mention 'stoner' humour, where the punchline to every joke seems to be "lol, it's funny because WEEEEEEED!"

 

[Thyunda]

Depends on if they're high at the time of conversation. I can't stand talking to people who are stoned, drunk, high, tripping, etc. Not because I have some grudge against the substance, it's just because they become annoying as shit. Stoners are the most annoying, heroin addicts are the most unpredictable, in my experience. The heroin guys seemed to have real trouble understanding that you can't just fuck somebody up because you don't trust them, and they get kinda twitchy when you confront them about it..so, yeah, don't do that.

The stoners though. Good God. I'm a university student. I'm a smart guy in a working-class area. Most of my friends didn't even go to college, and so they never quite mastered critical thinking. Some guy tells them marijuana prevents cancer, they'll be on the phone to me in five minutes flat telling me marijuana prevents cancer. They'll then rattle off a bunch of terms they've parroted from their dealer, and then look at me expectantly.

First off, guys, I'm a fucking humanities student. I am not a chemist.

Second, everything you just said was total bollocks and there's no evidence to support the claim.

Third, I'm not telling you you can't smoke, I'm telling you to stop doing it around me because I'm asthmatic and, even if it DID prevent cancer, it doesn't prevent asthma attacks.

And fourth, if you call this number again, I'll have you shot.


So...long story short, my prejudices are not based on the type, quantity or frequency of drug use, they're based on the respective culture. Weed culture is one of only two trends I can't stand. I don't get upset about swag. I don't give two shits about 'yolo'. The other trend I despise is 'lad culture' because, well, sorry mate, but soaking a tampon in vodka and shoving it up your arse is about as admirable as....half the other shit you freaks do to justify yourselves to each other.
You ever see that Secret Life of Students? The 'lad' on that in the first episode said "Lad status confirmed - now to get laid."
And here I thought lad culture required sex.

Oh, yeah. Weed culture, that's what I was talking about. Fuck weed culture. If you want to smoke weed, do it quietly. Should weed be legalised? Don't see why not. Honestly it doesn't affect me.

 

[Fdzzaigl]

What do you understand under "recreational drugs"?

The answer would depend on that. I won't ever judge you to be a lesser human being because you take any kind of drugs. But it you were to take drugs that I would consider dangerous for your own mental or physical health or for people close to you. I would definitely advise you to stop.

If you didn't, any further reactions would be based on the effects of the drugs on you and how close I am to you.

 

[renegade7]

My parents were both alcoholics and, in addition, I had the misfortune of accidentally choosing to go to a well-known "party school" when I went off to college (something that was not known to me until after I began my first year). Neither of these have contributed to my having a particularly high view of alcohol or the people who use it regularly. Especially when that gets mixed with the whole clusterfuck of college party culture, which there are plenty of other reasons to be annoyed with (tuition money going to subsidize the fraternity whose members come to your dormitory every week to upend trash cans and generally make a mess), as well as downright concerned about (fraternity men are more likely to commit rape and less likely to be prosecuted and convicted for rape than independent men, and fraternity as well as sorority members were twice as likely as independent students to view rape as acceptable).

Can't say I care for cigarette smokers either, but that's not a moral thing. I just can't stand the smell of tobacco smoke, especially the form that smell takes when it lingers in clothes.

As for marijuana, I think it's certainly better for you than either alcohol or tobacco. 88,000 people will die in any given year due directly to alcohol-related reasons and far more for secondary reasons (alcohol being a leading factor in violent crime and traffic deaths, as well as heaving a whole array of secondary health consequences), as will 480,000 from tobacco smoke. Maybe there's a handful of people that will die or be injured by marijuana in any given year. If anything, we should be banning alcohol and tobacco outright and creating a free weed program, although it is starting to become clear now that research is much easier due to legalization that it does have some long-term health consequences but not nearly to the extent of alcohol or smoking. It's just the sub-culture around it that sometimes really annoys me. No, you are not a rebel, nor are you an anarchist, or honestly all that unique in any way. You are a suburban teenager who used cash you took from your mom's purse to buy a joint and pretend to be a part of "burnout culture" while you pretended you liked it in your friend's basement.

 

[happyninja42]

No I have no issue with drug use as a basic concept, as I used to regularly smoke pot, and drop acid and take mushrooms. I had a lot of fun doing it, had very few problems at all, and never did anything illegal because of my habit, other than the obvious crime of using illegal drugs.

My only real negative aspect of it, was having to associate with some fairly unsavory people in order to supply my habit.
Since the people most likely to get you pot, are also the same type people who are likely to deal in other illegal things, it meant hanging out with people that I normally wouldn't have really liked hanging out with. And I mean genuinely criminal people who just felt dangerous and risky to be around.

But yeah, other than that, I totally enjoyed the years I did drugs, but I'm also happily sober now too. Not out of any need to get out of the pit of despair or anything. I just grew tired of doing the drugs, and decided to stop.

I don't have any issues with people who do drugs, but I do feel slightly concerned if they are handling it well. For me it was always a casual, but regular thing. But yeah, back on topic, I don't have a problem with drug users in the broad, general sense.

Like anything though, I could have issues with specific people who do drugs, and it could be because of how they specifically handle their drug habit. But it's not a blanket condemnation of them or anything.

 

[laggyteabag]

Entirely depends. If they are using weed, then I don't mind it (I definitely don't like it), but anything else and then I start to think differently of them. I have a couple of friends who spend a good few hundred a month on weed, and I don't mind it as long as they don't smoke it around me (I hate the smell, same goes for tobacco). They keep on trying to get me to start too, but I see it as a giant money sink and nothing else, and the aforementioned smell really puts me off.

 

[Rabbitboy]

I have known two people who I know smoke miruhana no complaints about them. As for anything harder than that I don't have any major prejudices. As long as they don't bother anyone they are free to do as they wish aas far I am concerned.

 

[Heronblade]

Yes, actually, I do. The following is offensive, and I apologize for that, but there isn't much I can do about it while still getting the point across.

So far as I am concerned:
-Risking addiction is incredibly stupid
-your brain is the only resource you have that is truly worth a damn thing, screwing it over, even if it really is only temporary, is likewise stupid
-escaping from this world by means of the above is a selfish act, and nearly always cruel to those around you.
-and then there's the health problems that come with recreational drug use. These are variable both in effect and severity, but they all have them.

So yeah, not exactly a point in your favor so far as I'm concerned. Some recreational drug users have their habit under enough control that they fail to evoke a discernible reaction from me, but all of them take some kind of hit in terms of how I perceive them.

 

[Eddie the head]

Yes I have an opinion on people that is not based on reason or actual experience. Like everybody dose? A severe prejudice though? Not really. I think it's kind of a wast of time but they could likely say that about something I do.

 

[Someone Depressing]

Not particularly. Everyone's circumstances are different, and it's not my place to tell people what they should and should not be doing with their body.

I don't think it's a good idea, and if somebody I knew started doing hard drugs - or even something that had a small chance of harming them in some serious way - then I would probably do what I could to get a perspective on the situation and do anything I can do to help.

Aside from obvious situations - like people taking drugs around children, becoming violent during highs, and "legal highs" - I don't really have problems with people who take drugs. They want this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desomorphine] to happen to them, more power to them. Not my decision.

 

[Blow_Pop]

The only time I judge recreational drug use is when someone either

a) won't stop badgering me to try whatever drug it is
b) (this applies to anyone who smokes anything really) is a huge douche and sends me into asthma attacks because they either find it funny or have no respect for others (for the record I nicely ask people who smoke to do it downwind from me and not blow the smoke in my face which I think are perfectly reasonable requests)
c) is being affected at their job and it's starting to become a safety issue (and then the judgement turns more into "we need to do something to find you a balance that doesn't turn into a safety issue)

 

[SKBPinkie]

My problem is that you're supporting a business run by some of the worst human beings on the planet. Seriously, the things you hear about the cartels and the drug gangs is fucking atrocious stuff and that's not something anyone should encourage.

The way the illegal drug industry behaves is in direct response to government policies and actions against it and its actors. If they were allowed to operate as a legitimate and regulated industry the same way alcohol and tobacco do we would not have the violence that some many people think is systemic. Back when people were taking Laudanum for nearly everything or drinking truly classic Coca Cola we didn't have anything like the issues we have today.

This is one of the causes for why this happens, but I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that it definitely doesn't justify any of it.

And that alone is good enough to not support it. These guys are truly evil, and again - that shouldn't deserve your money.

 

[SexyGarfield]

This is one of the causes for why this happens, but I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say that it definitely doesn't justify any of it.

And that alone is good enough to not support it. These guys are truly evil, and again - that shouldn't deserve your money.

I am in no way saying there is any excuse for cartels, street gangs, and similar actors behavior. I merely point out that the state is, and by extension those citizens that support oppressive drug policies, equally if not more at fault for the consequences of the policies in place. Whatever the drug industry deserves does not change the fact that there is a demand, such a demand that it will be met regardless of cost be it lives or suffering of any kind. Recreational drug use is here to stay and it is one of the many cost of living in a global, modern, and free society. I am not even saying throw all the rules out the window, like most any industry there is a sweet spot for regulation, likely on the higher end for this one.

The choice of an individual to imbibe an illegal substance will very likely not change, therefore it is the duty of every citizen conscious and empathetic to the suffering caused ultimately by their government's policies to support a more progressive policy towards drug control and regulation.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

It depends. Most drugs, I'm not bothered with provided it's not excessive use. However, if you're going to try things like smack or crystal meth then I don't want to know. Not necessarily because you're a bad person, but because you're a fool and I don't want to watch someone I care about do that to themselves. A lot of drugs I don't think are particularly harmful- at least, I think the rewards are probably worth it, but some drugs just aren't. I've seen what even recreational use of heroin for a few months does to someone, and it's fucking weird. Like, jumping at the doorbell and falling down a flight of stairs, thinking inanimate objects are moving weird. If that was when he was on the drug, then I wouldn't be bothered, but it was when this guy was sober. God knows what years of addiction would do to someone.

By and large though, I wouldn't think anyone is worse for taking drugs. To be honest, people that get really uppity over drugs piss me off a whole lot more. If anything I would think drug users were stupid depending on what they were doing, but it's not really a moral issue.

Oh, and people being obnoxious about drugs are fucking annoying. Loads of people take drugs and aren't massive douches about it, but it's the people who don't shut the fuck up about them that are annoying. A lot of my friends went through a phase a few years back when the only thing that they talked about was weed, but they've grown up a bit now. They still smoke it and it comes up in conversation occasionally, but it's not so grating now it's not constant. The whole 'Wooo, drugs' is just a juvenile rebellious thing, I'm glad they grew out of it.

 

[carnex]

I do my best not to be. I never know that drove them towards that. But I do feel uncomfortable when I'm close to them. i accept that as a sign of my weakness and fear that I could fall that way too and loosing control over myself is constant fear in my life. Well as long as we talk about serious addictive drugs with heavy consequences.

Weed? If people want it, why not. Just as long you lose your drivers license permanently if you are caught driving high and get 1 year ban or reapplying to driving school.

 

[Here Comes Tomorrow]

When the topic said drugs I immediatly thought of heroin, crack etc.

Considering I lived in the heroin addict capital of Europe, weed really isn't that big a deal. Its like tobacco or caffine. When you've lived seeing dozens of junkies a day and people shooting up in the stairs outside your apartment, it tilts your perspective on what constitutes drug use.

 

[CrystalViolet]

Thanks guys, for all your responses. I'm happy to have an honest discussion about it. My post is going to be long, because I want to address all the major points individually, so here it goes:

Depends on the drug you're using.

Marijuana, LSD, caffeine, mushrooms, amphetamines, MDMA, chocolate, opium, DMT. I do them only very occasionally, like a couple of times per year. I'm also medically trained.

If they're of a mind that drugs enhance life in any way and people who don't do drugs are uncool somehow, I have nothing to say to them.

I find these people insufferable.

To me, chemical use is just a crutch for people who aren't satisfied with normal, everyday experiences.

Why would you call it a "crutch"? I also do sky diving, sports, dancing etc., not because they're "crutches" but because I enjoy them.

Some people need help to be able to have a real good time in certain situations.

I'm not one of those people. I don't drink alcohol and when I go out and have a good time, apparent from caffeine, I'm completely drug-free 99% of the time.

Why tell anyone that you do drugs at all. If it's none of their business.

Sometimes it comes up in conversation with people I'm hanging out with, much like how I might bring up that I'm a dancer or do sports.

Drug use itself isn't a problem so long as it doesn't become someone else's problem.

It's not a problem for me or for anyone else. I'm highly independent so even if drugs were to become a problem for me, which I make damn sure never happens, I would never make it anyone else's problem.

My problem is that you're supporting a business run by some of the worst human beings on the planet. Seriously, the things you hear about the cartels and the drug gangs is fucking atrocious stuff and that's not something anyone should encourage.

Thank you so much for making that point! I'm so glad you said that! I tried weed and mushrooms as a teenager but never really informed myself as to where they were coming from. I was young and never really thought about these things. I chose not to take any drugs (except caffeine) for a while after that and only used Fairtrade products (still do). I also boycotted unethical products (again, still do). It wasn't until I learnt of some ethical sources that I started using them again. I won't admit on a public forum what they were, but I'm a very conscientious person and take this stuff very seriously. The only info I will give is that nowadays during one of the very infrequent occasions that I smoke weed it's all home-grown from seeds purchased ethically. I understand that I'm being reticent here and that this kind of precludes my point from scrutiny, but I can't really give away anything else. Again, thank you for making that very valid point!

Drugs are outlawed for a reason.

I don't believe for a second that it's out of concern for our well-being.

I consider people who use them either idiots, or poor sods.

I'm not going to try to convince you, but I can safely say I'm neither

If you wanna do drugs so much that you'd risk going to jail and ruining your entire life, you're dumb.

That's a rather arbitrary appraisal of a dumb person. Would the existence of a single clever person who uses drugs in this way change your opinion, or would the other litany of reasons as to why that person is clever just be negated by the fact that they use drugs?

The way the illegal drug industry behaves is in direct response to government policies and actions against it and its actors. If they were allowed to operate as a legitimate and regulated industry the same way alcohol and tobacco do we would not have the violence that some many people think is systemic.

I completely agree. The "War on Drugs" has done far more harm than good on so many levels. From a moral/ethical perspective, I feel that it's completely wrong to regulate the choices one makes when it causes no harm to others. Should a person be addicted to heroin and neglect his/her family, prosecute for the neglect and not the drug use. Criminalisation of drug use makes it more difficult for people to reintegrate after prison. On a practical level, the War on Drugs just isn't working! The part that pisses me off the most is that governments are ignoring the recommendations of experts from multiple fields in order to maintain the status quo.

If you wake up to two poppers every morning. You're a fucking addict. You're an addict if I load up team speak to hear you toking every fucking time. Same with steam VOIP, and same with in-game VOIP. You're an addict if you need to toke before, after, and during every single fucking DnD/Shadowrun session.

I also hate those people. I'm certainly not one of them. I'm not involved in a "drug culture"; I occasionally take drugs recreationally. I go hiking far, far more often than I take drugs.

Keeping it illegal causes crimes, but having the harsh punishments on the addicts? Well... Maybe they'll change. I don't know.

We know from countless studies and statistics that punitive measures not only fail to work, but they increase rates of recidivism, encourage unemployment, and hamper reintegration.