I mean, substance abuse is a real problem. I’ve known people who have ruined their life because of it, all-the-while touting that it doesn’t affect them.
Yes, drugs affect you. It also ends up affecting those around you.
That being said, the current state of laws, enforcement and culture is definitely not aligned for success in this arena.
My brother died from a heroin overdose. The fact that it was illegal didn't prevent it and might have been a small contributor in that the purity and strength of the drugs could not be known.'
My mother died as an alcoholic. Totally legal drug that's socially acceptable.
I'm well aware of the abuse potential. But a lot of this (including the current fent epidemic) could be addressed by legalizing and regulating these drugs (including the aforementioned ibogaine).
So yes, the current state of laws, enforcement and culture are definitely aligned for the clusterfuck of what we have today (by virtue of that's what we have).
There will always be risks, but society has shown that it's ok with risks in that alcohol and tobacco are legal. They've just been brainwashed by the drug war propoganda.
The way 'substance abuse' is framed and conceptualized deliberately obscures the fact that many if not most people with substance abuse problems are 'medicating' a psychological problem.
Of course anyone can get in trouble with drugs, so I agree with you too!
But I want to just try and shake up the "Drugs affect you. They affect those around you" point a bit because often the drug use is a symptom, the consequences of hopelessness, neglect, depression, abuse etc is whats actually making its presence felt, and even teetotalers have bad life outcomes when they're carrying that around.
> They affect those around you" point a bit because often the drug use is a symptom, the consequences of hopelessness, neglect, depression, abuse etc is whats actually making its presence felt, and even teetotalers have bad life outcomes when they're carrying that around.
Except, they can cause these problems in the first place. I agree that when those problems exist, drugs can make them worse too.
While I will always advocate for the legalization of all drugs, I think it's important to recognize the dangers and not downplay them.
But a lot of those dangers can be mitigated by having them legal and regulated.
A lot of abuse is about self-medicating from pain, so if they're going to do that let's at least make it safer to do so and have support to transition off when ready.
Yes, drugs affect you. It also ends up affecting those around you.
That being said, the current state of laws, enforcement and culture is definitely not aligned for success in this arena.