Depends on the drug, but in general, I don't hate drug USERS. I am fully aware of the damage that drugs can do - but I use that knowledge to sympathize with them, not hate them. I am concerned about drug use primarily because of the potential health implications (especially IV drug use) on the user - I want the user to be healthy, which is why I tell them to not take drugs. I don't agree with locking them in prison.
Marijuana users? Depends on how much they take. Most mild marijuana users are indistinguishable from non-marijuana users. Heavy, chronic Marijuana users.... well, I've met some during my medical studies, and I have to say that the "amotivational, forgetful" stereotype has some basis in reality. Heavy marijuana users usually have their life so erratically arranged they can't get it together enough to stick to the simplest of schedules.
Crystal-Meth users? Honestly, they can be very, very scary people at times. Very scary. Violent. Aggressive. But not all are like that, and I'm well aware of that.
Smokers? Well, if they're old, I can sympathize. If they're poor or come from a developing country, I can sympathize. But when I see a young, moderately wealthy, educated 20-something smoking? I can't help but think they have.... poor judgement. Very... very poor judgement. I mean... read the packet! It says on the packet, in no uncertain terms, that smoking really is very bad for you! If you can read english.... well... why are you smoking? Why did you start in the first place?
In general, I tend to pity drug users, which is a form of negative judgement - which is not good. I have, at times, trouble understanding why people use recreational drugs, given that I don't use recreational drugs at all - Teetotaler, non-smoker all my life - and so I can slip into a judgemental mindset when dealing with drug users. But I always remind myself - these people haven't live my life. I may not understand why they started using drugs, but recreational drug use does not make them bad people.
So to answer your question - I do, but I'm trying to not have prejudices against drug users. Really, I am trying.
Marijuana users? Depends on how much they take. Most mild marijuana users are indistinguishable from non-marijuana users. Heavy, chronic Marijuana users.... well, I've met some during my medical studies, and I have to say that the "amotivational, forgetful" stereotype has some basis in reality. Heavy marijuana users usually have their life so erratically arranged they can't get it together enough to stick to the simplest of schedules.
Crystal-Meth users? Honestly, they can be very, very scary people at times. Very scary. Violent. Aggressive. But not all are like that, and I'm well aware of that.
Smokers? Well, if they're old, I can sympathize. If they're poor or come from a developing country, I can sympathize. But when I see a young, moderately wealthy, educated 20-something smoking? I can't help but think they have.... poor judgement. Very... very poor judgement. I mean... read the packet! It says on the packet, in no uncertain terms, that smoking really is very bad for you! If you can read english.... well... why are you smoking? Why did you start in the first place?
In general, I tend to pity drug users, which is a form of negative judgement - which is not good. I have, at times, trouble understanding why people use recreational drugs, given that I don't use recreational drugs at all - Teetotaler, non-smoker all my life - and so I can slip into a judgemental mindset when dealing with drug users. But I always remind myself - these people haven't live my life. I may not understand why they started using drugs, but recreational drug use does not make them bad people.
So to answer your question - I do, but I'm trying to not have prejudices against drug users. Really, I am trying.
