What happens when all these people stop showing up for work on a Monday? I don’t think heroin or crack abusers are the best time keepers.

@ felix knox thats a pretty stupid comment. Its not as if if crack and heroin were made legal/decriminalised that people would be rushing out to buy it

I think thats a pretty stupid comment because you can bet you would get more people trying it out just like when the head shops were open.

The “their body is their own” argument is fine in itself. the problem is when an addiction leads to criminal activity in which there are other victims. And where addiction is cited as a mitigating factor, the victim often gets feck all support and there is never any real redress. Then there is the cost of prison and health services.

@felix
I think it is naive of you to think that more people tried drugs during the headshop era. A lot of the people queuing up for head shops were more than likely recreational drug users before the head shops appeared.
Drugs are everywhere and so are drug users. You’d be surprised at the people who dabble in drugs, from all walks of life. There is a very good book called ‘High Times’ (think that’s what it is called anyway), and it is about drug use in Ireland and it is written by a journalist who asks people for their stories of drug use. Contributors included judges, doctors, solicitors, college students, dealers etc. It is a very enlightening book ;-)

I think you would be the one being a bit naive if didnt think people who normally wouldnt take drugs did because it was so easily obtainable. Judges, solicitors and doctors on the gear? I think you need to stop taking drugs yourself mate.

@Felix
And where did he say they were on the gear you absolute tool?

@felix
I have no intention of stopping taking drugs. I do it in a safe environment, take well documented drugs in safe doses, so I feel relatively safe. And, I never miss a day in work. I just like to blow off a little steam, once or twice a year, so feel it isn’t any harm. Thanks for the tip though. As I said, i’d highly recommend that book. And yeah, judges, doctors and solicitors contributed to the book, giving their account of their recreational drug use. Who would have thunk?!! ;-)

Felix I personally know of a few doctors (hospital SHOs and the like) who do coke and MDMA on a sat night.

@felix

Nobody ever called in sick after a night of booze? Poor argument you have there.

If you take the likes of portugal where most drugs have been decriminalised whilst initially there was a small percentage increase in drug use, there was a massive 25% increase in people seeking treatment and an overall reduction in drug related crime.

I dont think people would rush in droves to try heroin. The reason many try it in the first place is (apart from usually massive social problems) is that tje dodgy dealers who they use to get softer recreational drugs take advantage and push harder more addictive drugs. Having soft drugs available from legitimate sources may or may not reduce the circumstances in which these people become addicted in the first place.

Also note that cannabis is effectively used to treat opiate addiction. It pays to keep an open mind than to blindly agree with a failed policy of prohibition.

I was talking about it timmy and i really dont think you are in any position to call anyone a tool. Sure some doctors take drugs but they should know better. Its funny how everyone i know that doesnt take drugs has a better job and standard of life than people that do.