For and against drugs
"Why do we use drugs? It can be for medical, recreational, creative or spiritual purposes. They don’t always interfere in other parts of our life. There are easy ways to reduce risk of immediate danger to ourselves or others. Legal or otherwise, recreational drugs can be used to simply feel on top of the world, even if for just a few moments."
"No way! I speak up for the conservative public who enjoy alcohol and nicotine but are against ‘real’ drugs. I’m not sure why, and I don’t really want to think about it, but illicit drug use just seems irresponsible, because those drugs are dangerous and often very addictive. Why should we legalise harmful substances that are just a fruitless escape from reality?"
"Interesting point, my friend! Take this glass of gin and my Marlboro here. Addictive? Yes. Harmful? Yes. How do we draw the line on acceptable drugs or otherwise? And who makes these decisions for us? Many argue that humans will always use various drugs to feel good, and making certain ones illegal simply increases the cost, impurity and stigma. The result? Crime, health problems and a lot of people trying not to drop the soap in the prison showers."
A harm reduction approach
Regardless of arguments, most people will use some kind of drugs to alter their mood. If I want to maximise my health, I can say “no”. Otherwise, I can say “know”... learn how to use my drugs responsibly, whether they are legal or not. In a nutshell, I can:
• Know my drug, and strategies for its safe use and infection control
• Test and dose myself carefully to avoid overdose, and not use alone
• Avoid driving or operating machinery if I’m off my face
• Avoid encouraging non-users to get into my thing
• Balance my use with other bits of life; family, friends, work, diet, exercise, nose picking, overthrow of the existing regime, and so on.
A proposed oath for responsible drug use
Only in America! Some recreational drug users got together and created this oath for responsible drug use. They say it is intended for recreational drug users who wish to use drugs in a relatively responsible manner, as opposed to doing so in the “stereotype of a lifeless, ethically bankrupt, hedonistic and self-destructive “junkie”.
The document suggests that drug use should be considered a legitimate personal choice, not a crime, personal failure, or societal illness...
I swear or affirm that:
• I understand the effects of all recreational drugs I take, to the best of my ability. I shall research the neurochemical, psychological, physiological, spirituality effects, the legal issues surrounding the drug and its use.
• When taking a drug I am inexperienced with, I shall begin with the lowest dose suggested to be psychoactive by the aforementioned research before progressing to higher dosages. I will measure the drug carefully, with an accurate scale.
• If it is possible that the drug may contain harmful adulterants or in fact be a different drug altogether, I shall have the drug chemically analysed for purity and content.
• I will learn the overdose limits for my own body weight and adjust them for any possible synergistic effects due to diet, prescription or other drugs. I will also adjust for dangerous side effects and my own health condition. After calculating my personal limit, I will stay under 75% of this limit, to minimise risk.
• While under the effects of a drug, I shall not take physical risks such as driving, climbing, swimming, or any other physical activity in which my actions may cause harm to myself or others.
• When first using a drug I am inexperienced with, I shall take it in the company of an experienced user, also known as a spotter. The spotter will remain sober during this experience, and will also have fully researched the drug.
• I shall not attempt to sway, force, trick, or otherwise coerce another person to take any drug; rather, I shall discuss previous drug experiences and research frankly and honestly, allowing all people to make their own personal decisions about drug use.
• I shall defend the rights of others to make educated, responsible decisions about drug use. I shall not support any person or movement that attempts to remove or abridge said rights.
• I shall not allow my drug use to overshadow or disrupt the other important aspects of my life, including social interaction, employment or even other personal pursuits.
• I will also take responsibility for the drug use of friends and relatives, if their drug use becomes dangerous to their health or personal relationships.
• I understand the effects of habituation, and therefore I shall exercise caution and significantly reduce the quantity of any familiar drug I use when taking the drug in a new and different environment for the first time.
• As a drug consumer, I will embrace responsible drug production and distribution methods, such as growing or pharming your own, and shun suppliers who use violence when not necessary for their self-defense.
I swear this with the hope of creating a society in which safe, responsible drug use is a personal decision, not a criminal offense.
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