Hi guys,

As a lot of you know I work for a harm reduction drugs agency in the UK as a Volunteer, one of things I strongly believe in is that drugs should be controlled but not illegal.

Controlled in a manner that is tighter than Alcohol which we have lost control of but not to the point where it makes people criminals for what they do to themselves.

I can talk a lot about this subject, I do so nearly every day haha. However, I want to gather some opinions on here and see what general views are.

Interesting to not that the Basque land is planning to regulate the sale of Cannabis.

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elpais.com%2Farticulo%2Fsociedad%2FGobierno%2FPatxi%2FLopez%2Fabre%2Fvia%2Flegalizacion%2Fcannabis%2Felpepisoc%2F20111213elpepisoc_2%2FTes&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Originally posted by Daniel

As a lot of you know I work for a harm reduction drugs agency in the UK as a Volunteer, one of things I strongly believe in is that drugs should be controlled but not illegal.

Controlled in a manner that is tighter than Alcohol which we have lost control of but not to the point where it makes people criminals for what they do to themselves.

I think the system you're referring to here is a bit like the Dutch system, aren't you?

Therefor it is recommended that it stays illegal. Most people think that soft-drugs are legal in Holland, but they think wrong. It is not. SOft-drugs are illegal, but they allow people to buy a maximum amount in controlled coffee-shops. The maximum is only a few gram. This is also allowed to have it on you and you are allowed to grow soft-drugs yourself. As long as it's for your own use. So not a hundred plants, but only 1 or 2.

In the south, we have some problems with drugtourism tho. Therefor in our southern province Limburg, they started with a system with drug-permits. You can only buy drugs with a permit.

I think it's the wrong policy to make it harder to buy drugs. What will be the next step?

I've recently watched a documentary about a few French mayors and they say The Netherlands is becoming stupid. They are all for 'legalizing' soft-drugs now and warn The Netherlands for getting drug-supermarkets like they have in the banlieu's of France. Whole flats are owned there by drugdealers, where they their shit.

I hate the term "soft" and "hard" drug, the truth is that all drugs are different for all people. From Heroin to MDMA to Cannabis to Alcohol. What might be considered a soft drug for most such as Cannabis will be a hard drug for someone else.

The bit about flats is interesting can you explain better? Because, basically my view is that Prohibition only causes more problems and plays into the hands of drug dealers right at the top who never get caught because they never actually get their hands dirty.

Holland is interesting, along with Switzerland and Portugal you have quite forward thinking policies but I think that's changing a bit more for you atm.

You do have DIM's testing though for Ecstasy which is a fantastic idea and one the Transform group here have been pushing for. This topic came up on the Stanton Warriors facebook page recently and I made a few posts but this one sticks out after someone asked why people don't buy clean drugs and this was my response.

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Good question Richard, which is easily answered really, no one wants to buy bad drugs and no one does it on purpose. However, unlike with Alcohol you don't have the choice to go and buy it from a regulated source, so the problem is that you never really know exactly what you are buying and half the time the dealer probably does not know what he is selling you.

Look at what Prohibition of Alcohol did in the 1920's in America, people started making moonshine and then before you knew it people were dropping dead left right and center. The American government had no choice but to lift the ban and regulate sales, yet they refuse to see that the exact same regulations put everyone else who choses to take a different substance at harm. It makes very little sense. (Also for further reading look into how America have twisted data from the WHO on cocaine etc and threats of withdrawing money)

There is much to be said about the legalizing drugs idea, we are far to close to America for comfort imo and they have one of the worst drug deaths per capita alongside the likes of China, Laos, Russia... All have hard line polices on drugs and all that it means is more people suffering. We would do a lot better if we moved more towards the modules of Switzerland and Portugal.

All drugs are the same if they are legal or not, all of them are dangerous if not treated with respect and all of them are fantastic when used correctly. From Heroin to Alcohol to Cannabis to Caffine...

People saying that people who "have to go to a club and take drugs are sad" that might be so, but I don't have to go to raves etc and take drugs to enjoy myself, but I do choose to from time to time as sometimes it's nice to feel the effects of my drugs of choice. Who are the government to tell me that what I choose to put in my body is wrong? I think I know my body better than anyone and by far one of the worst drugs for me both physically and mentally is alcohol, so I try and avoid it. I can go to a club and stay sober, in fact I do it as I feel its important to stay "in touch" with why you are travelling as far as you do and spending as much money as we do and that reason is music, thats my primary drug and sometimes I like to mix it with others... which is my choice. There is nothing worse than a drinker and smoker trying to look down on people who use other substances!

There is a good article here on Heroin that might be of interest to some:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/jun/14/drugsandalcohol.socialsciences

The article at the end is a fantastic read and I read it every now and again just to remind me about it.

It's crazy that only now are we in the UK investigating giving Methadone scripts on the same day (Sometimes it can take two weeks to get a script) which brings us in line with Holland and Switzerland. I am very proud that the place I work for is doing the research, I just hope it happens as the benefits are so clear.

Here in Florida, there was a vote on whether or not Marijuana should become legal. Even though it was a close vote, the final vote on the matter was no.

In some states, such as California, you can obtain a license to grow and purchase Marijuana, but for medical purposes only.

Then-US president Richard Nixon first declared "War On Drugs" in the 1970s. In the last few years, however, a lot of people (even DJ/producer Christopher Lawrence) said we are losing the war on drugs.

It's a safe assumption that the "Forbidden Fruit" theory comes into play here. If something is banned or prohibited, people will want to do it even more. This could very well explain why fighting drugs, like music piracy, is an endless game of whack-a-mole.

Originally posted by Daniel

I hate the term "soft" and "hard" drug, the truth is that all drugs are different for all people. From Heroin to MDMA to Cannabis to Alcohol. What might be considered a soft drug for most such as Cannabis will be a hard drug for someone else.

Yes and no. I think there's a big difference in taking marihuana once a week or heroine once a week. There's a big difference in what danger the drug is to your body. Ofcourse being an addict with either of them is bad. But so is for alcohol or basically anything that you're addicted to. I never heard about somebody OD-ing with marihuana. The biggest damage that drug can do is more on the social life part I think.

Originally posted by Daniel

The bit about flats is interesting can you explain better? Because, basically my view is that Prohibition only causes more problems and plays into the hands of drug dealers right at the top who never get caught because they never actually get their hands dirty.

Well that is what these flats are about. They're called drug-supermarkets. Many drugdealers are living there, or just use them to sell drugs. They 'own' those flats. Other 'normal' people living in it have nothing to say. They have to follow the rules of the drug-dealers. It's those places even the French police doesn't dare coming anymore.

The war on drugs is a war on people, look at what it has done to Mexico. Even Obama said in 2004 that it should end now. To many innocent people have lost their lives. Hell, in the 80`s America threatened to withdraw money from the WHO because they were going to publish and honest look at cocaine, the paper never got published until the guy who wrote it released it.

Yeah I agree with that Remco, however Heroin overdose is hugely increased by prohibition. The only thing the dealer cares about is getting as much profit without killing the Punter so he comes back. So they cut it with benzos etc. We had gear at 2% for a while here so people were taking more, then when the quality goes up their tolerance is low but they do the same amount. This increases risk of overdose and my most basic work deals with getting that message out there.

If someone could get a clean source then Heroin is not anywhere near as dangerous, read the story in that article about the GP who could prescribe proper Heroin, none of his clients fied. Within a year of that stopping half had died. Scary in my opinion. We have to ask who are current drug laws protecting?

Originally posted by DJRANZ

It's a safe assumption that the "Forbidden Fruit" theory comes into play here. If something is banned or prohibited, people will want to do it even more. This could very well explain why fighting drugs, like music piracy, is an endless game of whack-a-mole.

I can always compare Holland with France pretty good, as I know how most things go in both countries. In France all drugs are strictly forbidden also. But it is safe for me to say that France has more people using 'soft' drugs (addicts or on an occasionally base) then Holland. Here, we just don't care about it. It's not cool to use it or anything. It's normal, so there's no fuss about it. Many people just try a few (harmless) things, like me, and that's it. While in France I know many people who use or have used it a lot.

Exaclty. It's freedom we should be trusted to make choices for ourselves.

Am I right in saying that the Heroin substitute "Methadone" cost more to treat people than Heroin itself? If so I think this is crazy.

I think Britain, as well as many other countries; have a delusional view on drugs and how they are affecting our societies. I don’t think there is any country which doesn’t have a so called drug problem and that is mainly because they are so sought after.

I personally know numerous drug dealers and users which shows you that it is not just the “stereotypical scum” participating. Was talking to a boy the other week who done 5 year for smuggling.

Drug taking is a personal choice and therefore should be sold in a controlled environment. It seems like the government in the UK seem more interested in stopping the “Big Cats” make money than in the actual drugs.

Like Daniel mentioned the percentage of the drugs which are available nowadays is rather shocking and this is all down to money and how much could be made. This alone would put me off taking them however I have to admit I have tried a few in the past (nothing too bad), but that IMO doesn’t make me a “Bad Person” it is part of growing up in the West of Scotland. It was a choice I made at the time and wouldn’t feel the need to try again.

Drugs are never going to disappear and as long as people are looking for their fix so they will always be made available but surely there must be a better way in dealing with them than the way it is currently.

I don't entirely agree with that taking drugs is a personal choice. Ofcourse, theoratically you always have the chance to say no, but there are a lot of weak people out there, weak for different reasons, maybe something bad happened in their lives and lost control, but there are always also a lot of people who will take advantage of this. So I'm not sure about legalizing drugs like Heroine. It could work when you get it out of the criminal circuit, but it could also go wrong really badly.

Originally posted by Remco

I don't entirely agree with that taking drugs is a personal choice. Ofcourse, theoratically you always have the chance to say no, but there are a lot of weak people out there, weak for different reasons, maybe something bad happened in their lives and lost control, but there are always also a lot of people who will take advantage of this. So I'm not sure about legalizing drugs like Heroine. It could work when you get it out of the criminal circuit, but it could also go wrong really badly.

Yeah you are prob right there. Maybe I am a bit ignorant when it comes to the so called “harder drugs” as I have and never would touch anything like heroin, crack, crystal meth etc plus I am luckily enough not to have anyone close to me be involved with them.

I know every case is different therefore this doesn’t include everyone but imo the majority of heroin user in the UK are people who generally give nothing to society i.e. pay taxes etc but it is left to the rest of us non users to pick up the bill of their treatment. Walking into a chemist I am pushed to the side for some user to come in and get their Methadone fix which really frustrates me. Although Methadone can be used to great effect there is a high percentage who don’t succeed with the program.

I think the hardest part would be controlling any drug if it was legalised. There are always people who are after a quick / cheap fix and as you said others just waiting to pounce and provide them with their usual multi cut fix.

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I don't entirely agree with that taking drugs is a personal choice. Ofcourse, theoratically you always have the chance to say no, but there are a lot of weak people out there, weak for different reasons, maybe something bad happened in their lives and lost control, but there are always also a lot of people who will take advantage of this. So I'm not sure about legalizing drugs like Heroine. It could work when you get it out of the criminal circuit, but it could also go wrong really badly.

Even strong people take drugs, I have come across people from all kinds of back grounds. Sometimes people are looking for reasons as to why people take drugs and they often overlook the most obivious one, which is because they are fun. You are right people do take advantage of this, they are called dealers and the current system here only plays into their hands.

[quotI know every case is different therefore this doesn’t include everyone but imo the majority of heroin user in the UK are people who generally give nothing to society i.e. pay taxes etc but it is left to the rest of us non users to pick up the bill of their treatment. Walking into a chemist I am pushed to the side for some user to come in and get their Methadone fix which really frustrates me. Although Methadone can be used to great effect there is a high percentage who don’t succeed with the program.

e][/quote]

I will deal with the methadone question first, the problem with Meths are they are addictive and hard to come off. I think that the Subutex/Bupernorphine script seems like a much better system.

However, it does have it's benifits. You are looking at a success as someone who gives up drugs completly. Which is great, however you can look at it in different way. Speaking to someone who was always anti-meth but then went on a script after being in hospital he described it as this -

"It just takes the edge off my use, before I got on Meths I would wake up ill with nothing in my system and no money to go and get anything to help make me feel normal. So, the only option was to go and beg/steal and get my fix."

"All of that changed when I got on Meths, I don't wake up scared, ill and worried anymore. I know that I have my script at 10am, it just takes that edge off and I don't need to go and steal to feed my habit."

And many stories along those lines, it just takes the edge off what is a very chaotic lifestyle, much less likely to commit crime and lets people concentrate on sorting other problems out that they usually would not consider. Yes, people still use Herion, but it is proven that scripts help. I have seen it with my own eyes.

I know what you mean EFF Jay, not everyone is nice, however they are people, you forget maybe how they are treated by general society they are effectively seen as dirty outcasts. It's another raeson why this should be out in the open so people are more accepting and understand that it can happen to anyone.

Most people really do want to change and work and most have come from similar backgrounds to most of us here.

Also, there are many people especially with Heroin who have money to fund a habbit and get on with their day because estentially the biggest cause of problems is the Poverity that already exists.

I also believe that most people especially rec users would go to a trusted safe source rather than get something that may or may not be cut even if they have to pay a bit more.

This is all opinion by the way!

In South Africa, we have a very narrow view on drug treatment; a view that, in my opinion, is counterproductive.

Over the years, I have played with almost every drug known to man, with the exception of Pinks (Welconol), Mandrax (Methaqualone) and Magic Mushrooms, but avoiding these is purely personal preference (I am not partial to marijuana, which Mantrax is used in conjunction with, I have a thing against needles, which is how one administers Pinks and I have a allergy to fungus so I would need to use Shrooms in a controlled environment, which has not been possible up to now). My friends and family have come to know and accept me as a bit of a "Drug Connoisseur", turning to me for advice on the effects and experiences of particular drugs, as well as the dangers and safe use of drugs. I generally take a neutral line, although often drawing from my own personal experience.

Fortunately for me, I do not suffer from an addictive personality so I can try a drug, experience the effects and I then take a step back, make an informed decision on whether I like the trip or not and share my knowledge with others. It is not a popular approach, especially to the anti-drug lobbyists. However, I feel I have "saved" a lot more people by sharing my first-hand experience than any 12-step programme, "Just Say No" campaign or "Doom and Gloom" approach (I use the term "saved" very loosely).

I, like Daniel, am a firm believer in the Harm Reduction method. By criminalising or stigmatising drug addicts as evil does not do anybody any good as this causes the affected person (the addict) to feel like he has nowhere to turn to for help. Nine times out of ten, the user got into excessive drug use because it made him feel like he belonged or, at the very least, he was able to push his problems to the background. By telling him how wrong or evil he is for "allowing himself" to get into the situation he finds himself in doesn't really help his feeling like an outcast. Sadly, this was the approach taken with my best friend when he was in a rehab facility at the beginning of this year and, quite frankly, his parents could have saved the money; it had zero effect.

Drugs are a fact of life. Legalised or not, they will always be around. So, rather than trying to stamp them out (the War on Drugs has proved the ineffectiveness of this approach), I believe that they should be legalised across the board, with restrictions, naturally (e.g. as with any other pharmacist, a licence to manufacturer is required but this will target the manufacturers, not the users).

Okay, before you start sending the hate-mail, allow me to explain my reasoning. There are five main justifications that, in my opinion, make legalisation a no-brainer:

Quality:
Currently, drugs are manufactured in some very questionable locations, using some rather dubious ingredients. By allowing the drugs to be manufactured to pharmaceutical standards, many of the dangerous chemicals/ingredients can be eliminated and or substituted with less harmful ones. Also, as the quality will be greatly improved, the drugs will need to be "cut" or "watered down" to prevent accidental overdose due to users not being used to pharmaceutical grade and this can be done safely, as is done with other medication (i.e. tablets that come in varying strengths).

Price:
Currently, the cost of drugs is high because "contingency funds" need to be put in place. For example, in South Africa, we have a drug sold under the street name "Khat". The cost of manufacturer is under ZAR30.00 (approx. US$3.50). However, you can pay up to ZAR350.00 (approx. US$42.00) in a club. The reason being that, as the drug moves down the supply chain (manufacturer to supplier to dealer to runner to user), each one tacks on a mark-up, as with any other retail product, but these mark-ups are astronomical because each one has to pad a fund that will cover legal fees, bribes, bail/bond, etc. should the individual get caught. Unfortunately, by the time the "product" gets to the runner, the cost is already so high that adding on a substantial mark-up would price him out of the market. It is for this reason that the "little guys" get caught and prosecuted, not the "big guys" (the little guys being unable to afford the type of legal representation needed to get off). By removing the need for the contingency fund, the cost will come down. Those without the aforementioned manufacturing licence will still need to have that contingency fund in place, thereby making their product significantly more expensive and, therefore, priced out of the market.

The Thrill Factor
Most of the people I know say that their trip begins at the "acquiring" phase. Sitting in their cars in dark alleys, waiting for their dealer to drive up to their window, exchanging drugs for cash as they pass each other in the night and driving off without raising suspicion or attracting a "pig tail" (being followed by police) is all part of the rush. When asked if they would still enjoy the trip as much if they didn't have to worry about getting caught, a significant majority have said, "But what would be the point? That's half the fun". By legalising drugs, there would be a significant drop in usage due to the reduced adrenalin rush. It is human nature to want to break the rules. If the rules are changed... I'll let you complete that sentence.

Treatment/Counselling
By changing the rules, the way is paved to remove the stigma attached to drug addiction and better methods of helping those with problems can be adopted/introduced. Also, by removing that stigma, more people with problems will be more willing to get help without the worry of being looked down upon by society. It will not be an overnight attitude change but evidence of this can be seen in society's approach to the AIDS pandemic, compared to what it was in the mid-80's.

And, finally,

Education
By changing the way we approach drug use, abuse and counselling, we can also change the way we educate "the impressionable youth" that the anti-drug lobbyists say are at the greatest risk of falling into a pit of addiction that will stay with them indefinitely. To give an example of how ineffectual education does more harm than good, you only need to look at the "Abstinence Only" approach to Sex Education. How many teens have had to deal with unwanted pregnancies or HIV infection because they weren't given all the facts? The same thing goes for drug use. Kids aren't stupid. If you give them the facts, they can make up their own minds and, more often than not, they will talk amongst their friends and a collective viewpoint will be formulated, which, usually, reflects a degree of responsibility beyond their years.

Okay, this reply turned out to be far longer than I intended or expected but I feel I have made my point. I welcome feedback.

Originally posted by UbuntuElphie

I, like Daniel, am a firm believer in the Harm Reduction method. By criminalising or stigmatising drug addicts as evil does not do anybody any good as this causes the affected person (the addict) to feel like he has nowhere to turn to for help. Nine times out of ten, the user got into excessive drug use because it made him feel like he belonged or, at the very least, he was able to push his problems to the background. By telling him how wrong or evil he is for "allowing himself" to get into the situation he finds himself in doesn't really help his feeling like an outcast. Sadly, this was the approach taken with my best friend when he was in a rehab facility at the beginning of this year and, quite frankly, his parents could have saved the money; it had zero effect.

Drugs are a fact of life. Legalised or not, they will always be around. So, rather than trying to stamp them out (the War on Drugs has proved the ineffectiveness of this approach), I believe that they should be legalised across the board, with restrictions, naturally (e.g. as with any other pharmacist, a licence to manufacturer is required but this will target the manufacturers, not the users).

Oh, but I definately believe in that as well. Maybe I didn't explain very well, but this system is working in The Netherlands for 'Soft' drugs. Ofcourse there's still criminality with it, but much less. I think it can work also for 'Hard' drugs. One think tho, here it's not legalized and I'm not sure if THAT would work. It is illegal, but allowed with a maximum of a few gram (for futher explenation I'm referring to an earlier post in this topic). With the way it is now, it is controlled, but it's probably easier to put restrictions to it and easier to punish when going outside those restrictions.

I, too, like Daniel, dislike the distinction that is often made between "hard" and "soft" drugs. My standpoint is "Drugs are drugs, regardless". One thing that definitely rubs me up the wrong way is when people slam users of drugs like ecstasy, cocaine or heroin and then take out a up a joint or pour themselves a whiskey.

Actually, a perfect example of how I feel the world should think came up this afternoon. My housemate came home from work and I offered to make him a cup of coffee. He responded with, "After the day I've had, any drug will go down nicely... caffeine is a drug" and I couldn't agree with him more.

Why are some drugs legal and others not? I will never understand it. It's like the question of where the line is drawn between Freedom of Speech and Hate Speech.

Let's use the following scenario. I, for whatever reason, refer to a homosexual male as a "fucking faggot". It is taboo for anybody to say that but it would be easier to let slide because I am gay myself than it would be if my brother, who is straight, were to say it.

Correct me if I am wrong but both instances should be classed as hate speech. However, my brother would be labeled a homophone whereas my comments would be considered to be nothing more than me passing my opinion on someone of my "sort".

The line between hard and soft drugs is the same as the line between freedom of speech and hate speech. It all depends on what your point of view is.

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The Thrill Factor
Most of the people I know say that their trip begins at the "acquiring" phase. Sitting in their cars in dark alleys, waiting for their dealer to drive up to their window, exchanging drugs for cash as they pass each other in the night and driving off without raising suspicion or attracting a "pig tail" (being followed by police) is all part of the rush. When asked if they would still enjoy the trip as much if they didn't have to worry about getting caught, a significant majority have said, "But what would be the point? That's half the fun". By legalising drugs, there would be a significant drop in usage due to the reduced adrenalin rush. It is human nature to want to break the rules. If the rules are changed... I'll let you complete that sentence.

I have never understood the “Thrill Factor” but I know that sadly it exists. My friend has talked allot about the thrill of buying drugs and how that gives him a massive buzz too.

It kind of saddens me, I hate buying drugs, I hate the fact that I am made to feel like a criminal to buy them and that I have to deal with shady people who just want my money. In fact I hardly ever buy my own, I get friends to buy them for me.

I also dislike people that take any drug including Alcohol just to get smashed. I am a bit of a geek much like NJ when it comes to drugs, when I take them I see it as an adventure, I never take them to get “fucked” I like to see their effects on me. I smoked Cannabis last weekend for the first time but I was a bit drunk so although it felt nice I wanted to try it on it’s own. So I did, and it did not work for me, I was waiting for something to hit and nothing came, we smoked a lot as well but I just felt kind of empty, this was not what I look for and although I went into a nice and refreshing sleep I knew this was not for me. Which is fair enough in my opinion, I can see why people like it.

My personal experiences with drugs have been deep, I remember from a young age that I was curious from the off. Till this day the only drugs that I have taken that I feel totally safe on are Speed and MDMA, both physically and mentally.(Although people that have seen my dancing may disagree ha ) Compare that to Alcohol, I forget as I drink it how it makes me feel, the way I act when I am on it (I say the way “I” act on it as I think that is important, to many people blame the substance when they make mistakes but actually there comes a time when you have to take responsibility for your own actions and not blame them on a substance anymore.) and how even when I am drinking it I can feel my body getting hot and the redness of my skin increase.

The hardest thing with Alcohol is I have tried to give up, I really have, I have never had a drinking problem as such, at least not one that anyone else would recognize as one. However, inside there was an internal battle, I would feel depressed for days after drinking, I would regret nearly everything I said or did on it. I never solved a problem in my life with drink it is poison not only for my body but for my mind too. It took me a long time to see this, I have been drinking since the age of 12, I know now that it’s no good for me and my attitude has changed completely, I still drink and I still get drunk but I treat it with a lot more respect but it took me a long time to get to that point. I went into it blind being told that it was bad but watching everyone else doing it anyway.

With MDMA & Speed, I was also not told anything about it, but I had the sense to teach myself, I read about it, I knew what to watch out for, I learnt about dosage and I knew how to deal with negative effects, I knew the risks and I was able to take steps to reduce them. All of this was learnt online from other users and the various official sources that are out there. I have solved problems on MDMA, genuinely when I was in Germany at Timewarp I made a pact there and then with my friend that I was not going to let my ex ruin my mood anymore and I would spend my year doing the things that I really love doing and the main thing being going to as many music events as possible, I took that away with me and I made it happen, I would never have seen that on Alcohol, it just does not do that for me, it makes me irrational and hazes my head.




So, on a personal basis which I try to avoid when talking about the legalization of drugs how can the government tell me that one is fine and I can do it as much as I like even though I know it has really negative impacts upon me but the other one which works for me I am not allowed to do and I have to be forced to deal with people that I would rather not. Who are they protecting? I am also very lucky that I know when something is not good for me at all, Cocaine being a good example, that was only going one way for me and I managed to nip it in the bud and have not touched it since. Sadly, not everyone is like this but does prohibition protect them?

Once you have made a decision to do a drug you will do it regardless of it’s legality, it is basically legal now anyway in the sense if I wanted ketamine (Oh this is by far the biggest problem amongst people my age at the moment.) I could go and find it with ease. You made a good point earlier Remco, about how it is not cool to do Cannabis, just normal, loads of people do it and the fun factor has been taken away as has I expect the stigma. By saying something is wrong you immediately isolate the person and make them feel almost dirty, sometimes I hate the word “Clean time” as it suggests that they are dirty when using. Indeed, the changes in Portugal have shown that making things more open makes people more willing to ask for help. Also NJ touched upon this.

Anyway, I sort of went on a bit there about my personal experience……

Education has always been at the core of my point on drug use, we need to be open from a young age as telling people not to do something does not work. I consider myself lucky that I decided to educate myself; it does not mean I will never make a mistake but at least I know both sides of the coin.

NJ, totally agree with that viewpoint, I love getting into a debate with someone in a pub slagging off the “junkies” while drinking their 7th pint of their extended weekend which has run from Thursday to Monday. Even more fun is pointing out that Alcohol and Nicotine kills more people than any of the illegal drugs….

“No that’s because more people take them”

Erm, actually this is done per a number of users, of course they don’t accept it and why should they, their bubble is their comfort and people don’t like to think that they are the same as people that they look down upon.

Finally I came across this article today:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/krokodil-the-drug-that-eats-junkies-2300787.html

First things first, that use of the word “Junkie” is awful from a national newspaper, it really angers me when I see that.

Anyway, if you read the article you will learn that “krokodil” is Desomorphine, which in pure form is a fairly safe drug as in it’s used in several countries.

Read on and you will see that price of Heroin has rocketed in Russia, the reason for this is because they have tight border controls that has stopped the drug getting through.

As a result, the normal punters can’t afford the price of Heroin, so they have to turn to something else to get a fix. This stuff after I investigated is made from basically chemicals and is not similar to Desomorphine at all. Again I ask, who and what is Prohibition protecting? Russia has one of the hardest lines on drug users, they also have one of the worst death rates for drug related deaths, usually things that can be avoided such as DVT’s and Septicaemia.

That was a long post, I hope it makes sense, I will probably use it as a ref for when I get into these sorts of discussions.