• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

What Are Our Reasons That We Choose Not To Use Illegal Drugs

Why have you decided not to use illegal drugs?

  • Because I hear horror stories about addiction to them

    Votes: 12 23.5%

  • Because I know people personally who have suffered from addiction.

    Votes: 17 33.3%

  • Because I am perfectly happy and serene without them (If it ain't broke...)

    Votes: 26 51.0%

  • Because the consequences of their being illegal make life miserable for addicts

    Votes: 8 15.7%

  • Simply because they are illegal

    Votes: 10 19.6%

  • Other (specify in the thread if you would like)

    Votes: 19 37.3%
  • Total voters
    51
Dezaad

Dezaad

DP Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2005
Messages
5,057
Reaction score
2,424
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Very Liberal
I was reading another thread where someone was claiming that drug use would increase dramatically if they were made legal. I wanted to get a handle on whether people commonly even consider the legal issue at all.

I personally certainly never considered it when evaluating whether to start to use illegal drugs. Or, at least, it was only a fleeting consideration for me... I just kind of felt like no one had the right to tell me what to do. However, I did consider it when I decided to stop, because I saw that the fact that they were illegal was doing terrible things to the lives of the people who were sinking faster than I was.

Perhaps I was saved by their being illegal, but I am wondering how common this is.
 
Dezaad said:
I was reading another thread where someone was claiming that drug use would increase dramatically if they were made legal. I wanted to get a handle on whether people commonly even consider the legal issue at all.

I personally certainly never considered it when evaluating whether to start to use illegal drugs. Or, at least, it was only a fleeting consideration for me... I just kind of felt like no one had the right to tell me what to do. However, I did consider it when I decided to stop, because I saw that the fact that they were illegal was doing terrible things to the lives of the people who were sinking faster than I was.

Perhaps I was saved by their being illegal, but I am wondering how common this is.
Click to expand...

If you ask me, drugs are a plague on society and that is why they are and always will be illegal.
 
shiznit770 said:
If you ask me, drugs are a plague on society and that is why they are and always will be illegal.
Click to expand...

Which drugs? That's a very vague term.

By the way, I didn't vote because I use illegal drugs.
 
EgoffTib said:
Which drugs? That's a very vague term.

By the way, I didn't vote because I use illegal drugs.
Click to expand...

It's really not very vague. Consider any illegal ones you decided not to take (and simply leave out the ones you decided to take). Which illegal drugs have you decided not to take? When you decided not to take them, why did you decide not to?
 
Dezaad said:
It's really not very vague. Consider any illegal ones you decided not to take (and simply leave out the ones you decided to take). Which illegal drugs have you decided not to take? When you decided not to take them, why did you decide not to?
Click to expand...

Ah! I thought we were grouping all illegal substances under the umbrella of "illegal drugs".

I have chosen not to do drugs that have major debilitating effects on the body. I am a fan of natural substances(Marijuana, Psilocybin, DMT, Salvia, etc.) that have little to no side effects.
 
EgoffTib said:
Okay, so how is Psilocybin('shrooms) or Marijuana a plague on society?
Click to expand...

Lets see

-impairment of judgment
-money sink
-short term memory problems
-addictive

How do any of these effects benefit society. It has been my experience that people who smoke marijuana are usually lazy, lack a job (collect unemployment), lack motivation, and lack respect for law.

You may enjoy it personally, but people who care about you pick up the slack and are forced to watch you drag yourself down.
 
Spent my paycheck on rent.
 
I smoked a lot of weed when I was younger (and by a lot, I mean A LOT). I simply made the decision one day that I didn't want my life to be ruled by needing to get high 5 or 6 times a day, so I quit - stone cold turkey. Having said that, marijuana is a far different drug than cocaine, LSD, heroin, meth, etc... It is not physically addictive, it doesn't impair you the way other drugs (alcohol included) do and it's much easier to kick.

My fiancee is a recovering addict. She's been clean for 10 years this month. Unless you live with an addict, have one in your family or experience it for yourself, you cannot possibly comprehend the mind of an addict. Us "normies" don't think the way addicts do. Our thinking process is completely different than that of an addict. I could go on and on, but unless you experience this for yourself, you can't truly get it.

As far as the poll goes, I checked every one. Some of the best days in my life were spent getting stoned out of my mind. But the legal consequences of me continuing my use simply fell short of having a normal, drug-free life with a clean record. If they legalized pot (which they should) would I smoke it again, most likely, but I don't believe I would let it rule my life like I did when I was younger.
 
Legality is only one factor I consider in whether or not I will use a drug. It makes drugs I might be interested in more expensive and difficult to obtain.

I don't use cannabis because I dislike it intensely. I consider the effects unpleasant and would not use it even if I could get it for free and needn't consider the legal hassles it would introduce into my life. (Almost no risk from police, but it would jeopardize nearly any job I might have.)

There are a handful of psychedelics that I would use regardless of their legality. The only obstacles are accessibility and price, and the fact that I am currently abstaining.

I am avoiding almost all psychoactives right now, except for caffeine and nicotine, because I am struggling to get my psychiatric medicine adjusted to where I am behaving like a functional adult in society. I don't want to interfere with the medicines I require.
 
shiznit770 said:
Lets see

-impairment of judgment
-money sink
-short term memory problems
-addictive
Click to expand...

All associated with alcohol, which is legal. Also, the last two only pertain to Marijuana.

How do any of these effects benefit society.
Click to expand...

Why is that a prerequisite for something to be legal? How do cigarettes benefit society?

It has been my experience that people who smoke marijuana are usually lazy, lack a job (collect unemployment), lack motivation, and lack respect for law.
Click to expand...

I have experienced the stereotypical individuals to which you refer. I have also met people with Ph.D.s who smoke Cannabis regularly.

You may enjoy it personally, but people who care about you pick up the slack and are forced to watch you drag yourself down.
Click to expand...

I don't believe that I am dragging anyone down. I have a job which I enjoy and friends and family who love me.
 
EgoffTib said:
Why is that a prerequisite for something to be legal? How do cigarettes benefit society?
Click to expand...

Society's working on that, at least in my State (public smoking bans).

I have experienced the stereotypical individuals to which you refer. I have also met people with Ph.D.s who smoke Cannabis regularly.

I don't believe that I am dragging anyone down. I have a job which I enjoy and friends and family who love me.
Click to expand...

Chances are you find something in your life inadequate (perhaps life itself), otherwise you would have no need or desire to put yourself in an impaired state.
 
EgoffTib said:
Okay, so how is Psilocybin('shrooms) or Marijuana a plague on society?
Click to expand...

I like to be in control of my body at all times. I've been flat out drunk plenty of times when I was younger and I didn't much like it. Socially it "the thing" to do but otherwise they weren't times for me to be proud of. I don't want to be one of those guys that wants to drink at noon or right after work or treat it as a coping mechanism.

Shrooms can stay within you systems (body fat) for years. A guy I knew swore that he was off of the things for months and then suddenly out of the blue a very vivid Puff the Magic dragon was passing through the intersection where he was sitting. No other side effects, blurring of vision, lost of motor control, or time slowing happened according to him. That kinda scares me. :shock: Granted though, the guy firmly believes that shrooms are a healthy form of entertainment.

Marijuana is an odd drug. Claimed to be less addictive that nicotine, more hallucigenic than alcohol but less damaging to the body. Studies have been minimal. However, I haven't seen anything correlating the changes in alcohol related deaths in modern days to Prohibition days. I sometimes wonder if marijuana did become legal would it compound factors similar to those negative surrounding alcohol?

I mean what rules and regulations would you put on it if it did become illegal? Must be 18..21? Growing and distribution? What kind of fallout from the anti-smoking crowd would affect legal marijuana? Second hand smoke issues?
 
Last edited:
shiznit770 said:
Society's working on that, at least in my State (public smoking bans).
Click to expand...

Public smoking bans are far from coming close to outright banning of one of the biggest killers in this country.


Chances are you find something in your life inadequate (perhaps life itself), otherwise you would have no need or desire to put yourself in an impaired state.
Click to expand...

I find that my knowledge about abstract concepts is lacking. The use of Psilocybin stems from my desire to experience the impossible. You should do some research into Shamanism.
 
Keorythe said:
Shrooms can stay within you systems (body fat) for years. A guy I knew swore that he was off of the things for months and then suddenly out of the blue a very vivid Puff the Magic dragon was passing through the intersection where he was sitting. No other side effects, blurring of vision, lost of motor control, or time slowing happened according to him. That kinda scares me. :shock: Granted though, the guy firmly believes that shrooms are a healthy form of entertainment.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a complete fabrication or HPPD, which usually stems from LSD usage.

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
EgoffTib said:
Public smoking bans are far from coming close to outright banning of one of the biggest killers in this country.
Click to expand...

I don't know, I find it a very effective measure against smoking.

I find that my knowledge about abstract concepts is lacking. The use of Psilocybin stems from my desire to experience the impossible. You should do some research into Shamanism.
Click to expand...

First thing I found on Shamanism

300px-Shaman_tableau.png


Are you the guy on the right?

Seriously, what is so spiritual about a physical impairment that deceives your mind?
 
shiznit770 said:
I don't know, I find it a very effective measure against smoking.
Click to expand...

Against smoking in public places, sure.



First thing I found on Shamanism

300px-Shaman_tableau.png


Are you the guy on the right?
Click to expand...
Ha, that's pretty amusing. Look into Mexican Shamans and the use of Salvia Divinorum.

Salvia Divinorum: Shaman Plant

Seriously, what is so spiritual about a physical impairment that deceives your mind?
Click to expand...
It is your opinion that it deceives the mind. Some would argue that it allows your mind to work at it's full potential. I can certainly sympathize with your viewpoint. That being said, it's much easier to lash out at something you don't understand than actually do some research and experience it yourself.
 
Last edited:
EgoffTib said:
Against smoking in public places, sure.
Click to expand...

Good enough for me. That way I don't have to eat it with my food.

Ha, that's pretty amusing. Look into Mexican Shamans and the use of Salvia Divinorum.

Salvia Divinorum: Shaman Plant
Click to expand...


It is your opinion that it deceives the mind. Some would argue that it allows your mind to work at it's full potential. I can certainly sympathize with your viewpoint. That being said, it's much easier to lash out at something you don't understand than actually do some research and experience it yourself.
Click to expand...

So its one of those "you have to be high to understand" things? Tell me, could you go through life with your mind working "at it's full potential"? I did do a little research and found mounds of medical evidence and research into its physical effects. The nonsensical theories that they spew while they're on 'shrooms are of little interest to me.
 
shiznit770 said:
Good enough for me. That way I don't have to eat it with my food.
Click to expand...

Which I agree is completely unnecessary.

So its one of those "you have to be high to understand" things?
Click to expand...

I would say it's similar to a religious or near-death experience: It can be described but hardly understood by anyone besides the individual involved.

Tell me, could you go through life with your mind working "at it's full potential"?
Click to expand...

Depends on the drug used. A low dosage of shrooms simply accentuates colors and creates a sense of euphoria. DMT induces a form of paralysis, so that would hinder everyday life.

I did do a little research and found mounds of medical evidence and research into its physical effects.
Click to expand...

Into what substance, specifically? I'd be interested to see this evidence.

The nonsensical theories that they spew while they're on 'shrooms are of little interest to me.
Click to expand...

While they may be of little interest to you, they certainly interest others.
 
EgoffTib said:
Depends on the drug used. A low dosage of shrooms simply accentuates colors and creates a sense of euphoria. DMT induces a form of paralysis, so that would hinder everyday life.

Into what substance, specifically? I'd be interested to see this evidence.

While they may be of little interest to you, they certainly interest others.
Click to expand...

Just googled 'Psilocybin' and found plenty of reading on how it effects your body.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom