6 ms·

There are a lot of motivations behind the anti-drug movement, many of which are ignoble, but I think genuine concern is one of them. Most people don't want thei

There are a lot of motivations behind the anti-drug movement, many of which are ignoble, but I think genuine concern is one of them. Most people don't want their children using them, and the drugs are dangerous, at least when used recklessly as they often are. Also, most people don't make the distinction between "hedonistic" drug use, such as using cocaine, and exploratory/psychedelic drug use, which is a different lifestyle altogether. Most people who have a problem with LSD aren't worried about the "free thinking", because they don't associate these drugs with expanded consciousness. They're afraid that their kid will have a bad trip and develop long-lasting psychological problems (which is unlikely but not impossible). People who are aware of the power and potential benefits of psychedelics are generally against criminalization, which decreases drug use but increases drug-related harm substantially.

deleted 17y ago
[deleted]
roc 17y ago
And yet we daily send our children off into the world in, amongst and behind the wheel of automobiles, when cars have a far, far higher incidence of causing property damage, permanent debilitation and fatality. The risks of drugs are certainly real and some concern is absolutely genuine. But the dangers of drugs are treated completely out-of-context with any number of other aspects of modern life. Secondary objection: I don't think it's ever been convincingly shown that criminalization decreases drug use. Last I'd read, the opposite seems to have been occurring in areas that have legalized drugs.
- pw0ncakes 17y ago
  But the dangers of drugs are treated completely out-of-context with any number of other aspects of modern life. I agree, especially in comparison to the overprescription of stimulants to children and students. I don't think it's ever been convincingly shown that criminalization decreases drug use. Last I'd read, the opposite seems to have been occurring in areas that have legalized drugs. That could be, but it's counterintuitive, so I've always believed the opposite. However, it's irrelevant because, even if drug use increases, if drug-related harm goes down, this is a good thing and should be encouraged. Whether people choose to use drugs is their own business; harm reduction should be the goal.
- techiferous 17y ago
  "when cars have a far, far higher incidence of causing property damage, permanent debilitation and fatality." But we are used to cars. Cars are "normal" (and therefore just fine). The more I observe human nature, the more I see that most people make decisions using "normal" as a reference point.

deleted 17y ago

[deleted]

roc 17y ago

And yet we daily send our children off into the world in, amongst and behind the wheel of automobiles, when cars have a far, far higher incidence of causing property damage, permanent debilitation and fatality. The risks of drugs are certainly real and some concern is absolutely genuine. But the dangers of drugs are treated completely out-of-context with any number of other aspects of modern life. Secondary objection: I don't think it's ever been convincingly shown that criminalization decreases drug use. Last I'd read, the opposite seems to have been occurring in areas that have legalized drugs.

pw0ncakes 17y ago
But the dangers of drugs are treated completely out-of-context with any number of other aspects of modern life. I agree, especially in comparison to the overprescription of stimulants to children and students. I don't think it's ever been convincingly shown that criminalization decreases drug use. Last I'd read, the opposite seems to have been occurring in areas that have legalized drugs. That could be, but it's counterintuitive, so I've always believed the opposite. However, it's irrelevant because, even if drug use increases, if drug-related harm goes down, this is a good thing and should be encouraged. Whether people choose to use drugs is their own business; harm reduction should be the goal.
techiferous 17y ago
"when cars have a far, far higher incidence of causing property damage, permanent debilitation and fatality." But we are used to cars. Cars are "normal" (and therefore just fine). The more I observe human nature, the more I see that most people make decisions using "normal" as a reference point.