| Motorboat Cruiser |
03-11-2005 11:31 PM |
Such an interesting topic, that of drug legalization.
As a musician, I've seen so much abuse. I've also done my share of abusing, to be blunt. I remember trying cocaine once just to see what it was like and 5 years later realizing that I couldn't remember the last day that I hadn't done it. I also remember quite vividly the day I decided "No more". No intervention, no counseling. I just stopped. That was over 10 years ago. I remember watching a friend of mine who tried smoking heroin once and 6 months later showing up at my house at 2 in the morning with a loaded 357 Magnum a bag of heroin and a plea for help. We got him help and he survived. Most aren't as lucky. It is stories like this that make me realize that while logically, legalization may make a lot of sense, a lot of people would suffer in the process.
And yet, I don't think I have ever seen a drug that I consider more dangerous than alcohol. I've seen it absolutely ruin people's lives and yet they just can't stop. I watched it take a heavy toll on both of my parents, contributing to the death of one of them. I've seen it ruin so many friends. I think one of the scariest things is that the process can be so gradual between social fun and a real problem. Most people don't ever really see it coming. at least that is how it seems. I have a friend right now that for years was a casual drinker, who now downs about a half bottle of rum a day and doesn't see a problem. It's quite scary. And while I do have an occasional glass of wine or cocktail, I also am very clear with myself about where I don't want to go.
Which brings me to pot. I used to smoke ridiculous amounts of pot in my youth and that was neither healthy, nor productive. In my old age, I've learned that moderation is the key. While not trying to advocate, I really think it is the least dangerous of all substances out there, sans the effects that heavy usage can have on the lungs. Inhaling hot smoke is never healthy. I've often felt that had society determined that pot would be the socially acceptable one, rather than alcohol, we would have all been a lot better off. It just doesn't have the same violence associated with it. It doesn't have a known toxicity level. The biggest danger appears to be apathy, and even then, one has a choice to be a lazy bum or not. I know plenty of people that are regular users who aren't what I would call lazy.
So to find a way to wrap this rambling post up, I think what we need more than anything else in regards to drugs is real, honest, education. Not scare tactics, not commercials of eggs in frying pans, but real studies that show what the dangers are and honesty. Let's face it, people have been ingesting mind altering substances since the beginning of time and will always continue to do so. Let's at least give them real facts and treatment options if they so desire. Other than that, legal or illegal, we aren't going to stop people from ingesting substances, whether it be pot, heroin, or caffiene. I think focusing on this as a health issue and not a criminal issue, would go a long way towards combatting the problem. We can't just keep throwing people in jail for abusing substances. It doesn't work. The "war on drugs" is a losing battle that makes the politicians feel good and that is all. And it is costing us incredible amounts of money to try to stop something that, IMO, can't be stopped.
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