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by Whistler
Hmmm, yeah, would have to agree with that, especially the sight of teenagers lying in hospital beds in comas.

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I know, it's getting to the point where there are almost as many children killed by ecstasy as there is by asprin, milk or nut allergies. Although at least it isn't as bad as the amount killed in driving accidents or drink related incidents...

You'd be surprised at how many people are killed, or seriously injured, by motorists that are under the influence of drugs. In fact, I'm involved in a trial next week where someone allegedly killed his passenger while under the influence of drugs. It's just that the police don't have a device for measuring those type of levels that they can with an intoximeter for drink driving.

But what do I know?

(Edited by Whistler 21/08/2002 21:59)

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by Miss Edith
Sweet:

Waking up in the morning thinking you have to go to work, then realising it's Saturday

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That feeling should be bottled and made available at all times. Love it

Sweet:

Living with Dan

Sour:

Migraines, moodiness and things that make me no fun to live with

Actually, Whistler, I probably wouldn't be surprised. And there is a testing device for a number of prohibited substances, which has been on trial in Glasgow. However, its biggest failing is that many of these substances leave traces in the body long after any affects have worn off.

And I'm sure you know lots, I just think we should keep these things in perspective. When you look at the governments estimates for how much ecstasy is taken every weekend (which are conservative at best) and then look at the numbers having life threatening reactions to ecstasy, you start to see that there are a lot bigger threats to the lives of teenagers. And the fact is most teenagers know this. Which is why the scare stories have never stopped anyone taking anything.

Anyone who has taken ecstasy will recognize the description made by Funky Monkey. Pretending it isn't enjoyable won't help anyone. The argument has to be about the side affects, both long and short term. The biggest problem, from a pro-prohibition position, is that there has been little serious study into the long-term affects. Just lots of supposition by pro-prohibitionists.

Too much of anything, especially in situations where sobriety is essential, is rarely a good thing. But taken the ostrich stance on prohibited substances will never achieve anything.

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by Whistler
But I see the very real, and hard battle, the police face trying to keep these type of drugs out of Portsmouth. And the wrecked and pathetic creatures who stand in the dock whose lives have been ruined by their dependence on hard drugs and rely on a life of crime to fund their habit. But that's just me.

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I agree, there are no easy answers. On the one hand, legalisation of all drugs would ensure tight quality control, reduce drug related crime, and allow proper tests to be done on the long term effects of drugs in people. On the other hand, legalisation fosters the feeling in people, that if its legal, it must be harmless. Worst of all, if it were legalised in a commercial way, then companies trying to sell this stuff would be actively encouraging it use, much in the same way alcohol is advertised today.

I dont know what the answer is, but I think good education is key. Legal or not, these substances will play a part in many peoples lives at some time or another, so rather than sweep them under the carpet, we should be prepared to look at them with an open mind, and make an informed decision. (Much in the way that a person taking part in a dangerous sport should be aware of the dangers of that sport, and take precautions to minimise the risks)

I think JayJay hit the nail on the head when he said that pretending it isnt enjoyable doesnt help anyone. What we need in drugs education is is open, balanced information on drugs which doesn't try to ignore the fact that people take drugs because they feel good.

On a slightly different tack, I'm reminded of my older brother who has served time in prison for dealing crack coacaine. He is now leading a successful life, and now works as a photographer. While he was looking for work after getting out of prison he did some voluntary work with troubled kids from bad estates. He was later not allowed to continue that work when it was revealed that he had been in prison for dealing drugs. In my view his life experiences put him in the best possible position for dealing with kids who may well have followed a similar route to him.

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Anyway, why not start a thread on the topic?

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I may just do that

In my experience, the more you tell someone not to do something, the more they do it. The more heavy handed you are, the more they wriggle out from under that and find a way of doing what you don't want them to do. To repeat what others have said, education is vital. Which *doesn't* mean shouting "no", but rationally and realistically explaining both sides and then letting people make up their own mind with all the facts.

Anyway, sweet or sour....

SWEET:

Paris in 2 weeks time
A wedding on Saturday (and a beeaaauutiful new dress to wear to it)
My job (at the moment)
My circle of friends
The two ickle kitty kats who seem to have adopted us (one pure white, called Serge, the other jet black, called Betty)

SOUR:

Hypocrisy
The media
Missing a friend of mine
The stomach upset I've had for 2 days


All in all, life's not bad

SWEET:
Mongolia
My friends
TV
Cider (oh yeah)
Hair Gel

SOUR:
My grades
Season Six of Buffy
Latin
Belzibub

Sweet:
ex gf was up for a few days
NTL engineer came to fit a cable modem

Sour:
she's gone back home now
I'd called NTL to reschedule the engineer, and when he arrived he interupted the ex and I