The Flipside, Hear me out.

[kinchy]

I feel like opinions on this site MUST STRICTLY only have a negative view on drugs or drug use.
I'm not encuraging drug use, but as teens we need honesty on both sides on the spectrum.

Whats your opinion?

[staying_alive]

I won't disagree with that. In fact, if you look through my posts, quite a few of them say the same thing. However, we walk a fine line on this forum between drug promotion and drug prevention, both of which are prohibited. So technically anyone ranting about drug use and its terrible implications are not following the rules either.

There are quite a few members who've been on the forum for a while, and they usually chime in when threads get too hostile. I've found that newer members who come to the Drugs and Meds section with an anti-drug message don't last very long.

[Alexithymia]

Ah, I'm not sure if I should take part in this discussion. Nevertheless, I am posting. I respect those who view drugs as either the worst things in the world or his or her entire life, but I believe that the commonly viewed sense of drugs should, as you said, incorporate both the good and the bad. As such, I am here to give my opinion on these.

Certain drugs, such as cannabis, are fine. That said, I don't necessarily approve of it. I just think that it should be either decriminalized or legalized. (I do know the difference.) However, that doesn't mean the drug itself is fine. While it alone is perhaps no more dangerous than caffeine, the dependence that one can get from it or the actions that the user does while under the influence of the drug are what causes the most problems.

However, "harder" drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, are not fine. They cause numerous problems for the body by itself. In addition to that, how quickly you will become dependent on the substance is extraordinarily small. These drugs, in my opinion, should have be viewed negatively. However, I do not think that someone who merely tries the drug (assuming they know the risks) should not be viewed in that manner. The endeavor for curiosity is something that cannot be controlled at times.

Now, drugs in general (in my opinion) should not be viewed negatively or positively. The reason is because the drug(s) that most people will use (cannabis) is(are) perfectly fine. If you mention the word "drugs", then I personally do not have negative feeling towards it. That said, I still think that drugs should be used carefully. That's all.

[aperson444]

It's been demonstrated that harm reduction is a lot more effective than downright saying drug use is wrong. Because it is not. Every society since the beginning of civilization has used psychoactive substances. That's never going to change. Provide factual and logical information, not emotionally charged "drugs kick ass" or "drugs ruin lives" bullshit.

[kinchy]

It's been demonstrated that harm reduction is a lot more effective than downright saying drug use is wrong. Because it is not. Every society since the beginning of civilization has used psychoactive substances. That's never going to change. Provide factual and logical information, not emotionally charged "drugs kick ass" or "drugs ruin lives" bullshit.

my point exactly(: thanks for understanding pal.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

Drugs in your life don't always lead to addiction. They don't always mess up your life. But for the majority, it does, and hence we strongly suggest alternative options. You are a teen, these are your own choices to make now!

The same thing could be said towards many controversial subjects, however the law abiding one will normally be the one supported on a site. You don't have to bash it, we just don't promote it.

For instance, I smoke about half an ounce of weed a week, I drink, and I take prescription pills (my prescription). I used to be a lot worse too. My lifestyle works for me right now though. I wouldn't recommend anyone do what I do, but I'm not stopping any time too soon.

[StoppingTime]

Honestly, it really can only lead to bad things. It could be harmless and safe to use, thats true. But for the vast majority of the time, it isn't. And once you're addicted, its incredibly hard to quit, and can only lead to bad things.

So in short, no, I don't think it should be used without a absolutely necessary purpose (i.e. medical treatment)

[aperson444]

Depends on the drug.... In fact, the vast majority of the time, most people get away with recreational use. I've known people who've tried heroin and cocaine just once or twice and walked away from it. The only drug I see a lot of addiction to is tobacco. Almost everyone I know who smokes tobacco can't go without it. Same might apply to meth, but I haven't known anyone addicted to meth yet.

[staying_alive]

Depends on the drug.... In fact, the vast majority of the time, most people get away with recreational use. I've known people who've tried heroin and cocaine just once or twice and walked away from it. The only drug I see a lot of addiction to is tobacco. Almost everyone I know who smokes tobacco can't go without it. Same might apply to meth, but I haven't known anyone addicted to meth yet.

I was on your side until this point. Cocaine and heroin are both tremendously addicting, to the same degree that meth is, and I doubt you know that many people who've tried it "once or twice" and don't ever think about it again. I agree with you that people are very capable of using drugs without it ruining their lives, but I don't think heroin and cocaine are examples of this. LSD, shrooms, marijuana, etc. are all much better examples of drugs that people do recreationally and don't really get addicted to.

The thing about tobacco is that it's so easily attainable, and it's societally acceptable to smoke cigarettes (though this is definitely decreasing). People can form an easy addiction because they can fulfill their desire easily, versus with meth, heroin, cocaine, et al. finding it is much more difficult.

[Φρανκομβριτ]

I was on your side until this point. Cocaine and heroin are both tremendously addicting, to the same degree that meth is, and I doubt you know that many people who've tried it "once or twice" and don't ever think about it again. I agree with you that people are very capable of using drugs without it ruining their lives, but I don't think heroin and cocaine are examples of this. LSD, shrooms, marijuana, etc. are all much better examples of drugs that people do recreationally and don't really get addicted to.

Obviously Heroine and Cocaine are two drugs that would be much harder to quite than any other, however depending on the person, there's no reason someone could not try it once or twice and walk away. Hell, I did crystal meth for 3 months straight and decided to stop because I hadn't got addicted. I get what you're saying, it's much more addictive than LSD, etc. (not physically addicting btw), but it's more than possible.

[Hyper]

Excuse me but what's the ''other side of the spectrum''

Of course druggies aren't going to bash/not support drug use.

First I don't consider weed a drug and there are some but few drugs that are illegal and shouldn't be.

But for the most part be it addiction or just casual use drugs are bad mm'kay even casual use with some serious drugs WILL damage your health.

But yes in the end everything you do is your own choice just the consequences are always there bad or good.

[aperson444]

I was on your side until this point. Cocaine and heroin are both tremendously addicting, to the same degree that meth is, and I doubt you know that many people who've tried it "once or twice" and don't ever think about it again. I agree with you that people are very capable of using drugs without it ruining their lives, but I don't think heroin and cocaine are examples of this. LSD, shrooms, marijuana, etc. are all much better examples of drugs that people do recreationally and don't really get addicted to.

The thing about tobacco is that it's so easily attainable, and it's societally acceptable to smoke cigarettes (though this is definitely decreasing). People can form an easy addiction because they can fulfill their desire easily, versus with meth, heroin, cocaine, et al. finding it is much more difficult.

According to the Perrine study, nicotine is more addictive than heroin and cocaine. Heroin is on par with alcohol based on this study and cocaine with caffeine. Meth was not on there, but marijuana was at the very bottom.

I can pair this with some data. I don't remember the source, but somewhere around 12-18% of people who try heroin get addicted. Same for cocaine/meth. Around 30% of people who try nicotine get addicted, and that's a conservative estimate because nicotine addiction is harder to detect than something as obvious as a heroin addiction which has clear craving and withdrawals. I'm not saying addiction is not possible; I'm saying that you can't say a vast majority get addicted because we know a vast majority does not proceed to that extreme. I've seen particular personality types as vulnerable to drug addiction. In general more impulsive, extroverted and less logic oriented people tend to see addiction more frequently.

[kinchy]

Excuse me but what's the ''other side of the spectrum''

Of course druggies aren't going to bash/not support drug use.

First I don't consider weed a drug and there are some but few drugs that are illegal and shouldn't be.

But for the most part be it addiction or just casual use drugs are bad mm'kay even casual use with some serious drugs WILL damage your health.

But yes in the end everything you do is your own choice just the consequences are always there bad or good.


The other side of the spectrum is the fact that there are both positive and negative things/effects about drug use that should be talked about or touched on, rather than DRUGS ARE TERRIBLE DON'T DO THEM and you're a bad person who makes bad chooses if you do. In my opinion when teens are coming on a site seeking honest answers, they should be given the entire truth. So they'll be able to make a choose that will better suit them, without feeling judged or put down by people with different opinons or experinces then themselves.