Doing drugs #1
Drugs have been around since the beginning of time.
Traces of cannabis and opiates have been found in mummies, Queen Victoria didn’t mind some laudanum, and it’s even rumoured Jesus was a pothead. Ancient civilisations ached for their opium dens, Hitler was an IV meth addict, and I’m sure prehistoric man unearthed some psychotropic weed to gnaw on. The noughties flaunt celebrity meltdowns, and millions are addicted to prescription meds around the world.
Former ACT Supreme Court judge Ken Crispin QC has called for the regulation of recreational drugs in Australia. An overwhelming majority responded in favour in our online poll.
Most Australians will use substances this weekend, whether dropping a pill, passing a joint or enjoying a few wines with dinner. Kids will use drugs regardless. Harm minimisation recognises this and seeks to reduce the negative impacts.
But where do we draw the line between education and encouragement? Contrasted with the toxic mayhem of alcoholism and tobacco, calls to decriminalise substances like ecstasy and cannabis seem easier to understand.
Would removing the criminality offset the health implications? Is it wise to suggest smoking a joint is less harmful than ice or GHB? Is the term ‘recreational’ a misleading euphemism?
Sydney DJ Justin Scott recently lost someone to drugs. “For some, drugs are part of the clubbing/dance party experience,” he told SSO. “We shouldn’t be educating people about GHB, but rather sending a clear message this drug has a high probability of causing death.”
Indeed, the party scene — gay or straight — is indelibly linked with drugs, akin to a rite of passage for experimental teenagers. But this is changing, thanks to organisations like Twenty10.
“While it’s important to provide opportunities for young people to connect without drugs and alcohol, the reality is that on the other side of the fence are adults who use in very similar ways,” managing director Rebecca Reynolds said. “As social lubrication, to de-stress, have fun, and forget their problems.”
I’ll be sniffing around this hot-button topic in coming weeks. Till then, I wonder — with our prisons full of illicit drugs and millions hooked on prescription narcotics from their local doc, could decriminalising recreational drugs actually serve a tangible purpose?
Have your say online. Next time: Drugs and the law.
booze and fags are more socially accepted too and they kill more people than anything else I believe.
methinks brian protesteth too much !
Sure is problematic. And a challenge to do justice to such a complex topic, short of writing a thesis.
As I think someone pointed out, there’s a big difference between legalisation and decriminalisation. By no account would the latter mean you could swing by your local IGA for a fix of ice. But removing the criminality of certain ‘recreational’ substances and seeking to minimise harm might serve a number of different purposes. Most D&A professionals seem in agreement here, including the World Health Organisation.
A fairly objective synopsis of the pros and cons can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ypt2sp
I think we also need to be mindful not to be hypocritical in light of the biggest killers; alcohol and tobacco – both of which are legal, readily available and endorsed by successive governments around the world. I don’t mean to seem pro-drugs. In fact, I don’t do drugs. Just putting the questions out there. As jallybear mentioned, the current approach just isn’t working.
Brian – rave on, my little friend. I’ve only said it was rumoured Jesus was a pothead. I don’t see how this is blasphemous. Then again, I don’t dare try and fathom your world. Doesn’t sound like the sort of place I’d like. I’m guessing there’d be moose heads, cigars, and lots of beige. Meh, each to their own. But some ‘Christian charity’ – i.e. less spite and a little more understanding – might be nice.
Stay tuned for more on the subject. And thanks for the comments.
Legalising drugs is problematic; what drugs do you legalise, who decides, how is distribution controlled?
In the Netherlands the legalisation of marijuana has proved less successful than most of us are led to believe. Drug tourism is a problem for the Dutch.
The use of medicinal marijuana in California is proving impossible to regulate and law enforcement officials have great difficulty controlling the ‘grow houses.’
One thing is for certain the criminals who supply the dealers who sell to the public are the only ones doing well from drugs.
lol david i reckon brian didnt mention lesbians because straight guys get turned on by chicks with each other….. its only us poofs they have a problem with…. selective discrimination lol
i agree with the djs comments g is dangerous…. its not cool to “drop” and get kicked out of clubs…. or worse end up in hospital tying up resources of paramedics and hospital staff!
It is amazing to me that the Brians of this world visit gay websites. I won’t waste too much breath on the poor sod however the disturbing thing I find with these hateful bible thumping hypocrites is they actually believe their own propaganda.
Back to the subject of drugs, I mostly agree with the article and the first comments. I do feel however that we can safely say crystal meth and G are more dangerous than weed or E, which are probably LESS harmful than alcohol and tobacco. Regrettably I do not believe this country would be amenable to such controversial policies, no matter how much sense they may make.
Brian, your comment was so sexist. You didn’t say anything about lesbians.
Brian dear, you poor deluded fool. You are such a bunch of misguided hypocrites. What are you doing on a gay website?? Are you hiding in the closet as well as behind the cloth and your little story book??
Would it be too much of a stretch to accept the possibility that your almighty hippy Jesus did not mind the odd puff of weed?? Drugs were not illegal back then, so on what must you base your moral compass?? He did after all socialise with prostitutes and tax cheats, did he not??
His message was one of love and inclusion for all, was it not?? Judge not lest ye be judged ring any bells??
May you rot in your venomous mediocrity, or surrender to reality and commen sense. For I pray for your salvation from the propaganda that has brainwashed you into such a sorry and poisonous excuse for a human being!!
Ice, right Brian?
Im not suprised poofters are saying this. Your all an abomination and to say Jesus our saviour was on drugs is blasphemy. Choose to live your lives in sin or repent and surrender to your higher power and God may spare you from eternity in Hell.
Lets face it, the current approach is not working….. There’s a big distinction between legalizing and decriminalizing too…..
I say set up a body to determine which drugs could be regulated…… like cannabis and ecstacy……. I’m not fond of the idea of heroin, crystal or GHB being legal or readily available though….. certainly not from my tax paying dollars……
It has worked in other more progressive countries with certain drugs…… However we’ll never have a government with the balls or foresight to sanction something like this unfortunately……