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I think that most people who judge drug users are doing so from a short-sited perspective. I know a ton of people who smoke and drink, but also do well at school and have goal-oriented lives.
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Everyone discriminates every day. You like big boobs? Pouty lips? Nice ass? Proportioned figures? Straight hair? Black hair? We discriminate when we choose CVS over Wal-Greens or whole wheat over white bread. The problem becomes when discrimination is rooted in collectivism. Instead of looking at people as individuals you view them through groups and then make decisions based on those collective labels. So, racism, sexism (other than when warranted (for ex. you probably would rather hire a man to do manual labor than a woman)), etc.
It shouldn't ever be illegal however to be racist, sexist, or ageist. It however, should generally be looked down upon and you should generally not patronize their establishment (in todays environment you have no idea if the person is a racist or not thanks to the CRA and the curtailment of property rights) or associate yourself with them. It's not hard to ostracize folks.
As for drug use -- I would not ever recommend it (either prescription or recreational), but it is the individuals choice and their right to use their body in the manner they see fit. Yes, I will base my associations on their character, how they act, their moral judgments, and many other criteria. Without discrimination how would you ever be able to make any choices? There must be some criteria you check through to make a decision between A or B. Those choices should be based on individual merit, reason, and logic when humanly possible.
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On October 17 2011 12:38 DoubleReed wrote:Show nested quote +No, it is not prejudice:
Prejudices such as racism and sexism are based on fallacies, such as the assumption that black people or Asians or women or even majorities are in some way inferior to other demographics because of one or more innate flaws within them. This doesn't apply to drug users because drug use is a quantifiable phenomenon that causes a noticeable decrease of perception, critical thought, and the like, making discrimination against drug users justified. This is not accurate. Sure there are fallacies, but there are plenty of drug users that contribute plenty to society. Any kind of generalization will have that kind of fallacy. But that's not why it's not prejudice. The reason it's not prejudice is because you're at least judging somebody on what they do, rather than what they are. That's why it's PREjudice. I mean come on, when ARE we allowed to judge people? Can I judge you when you wear clothes than make you look like a hoodlum that you picked out? Can I judge you when you smoke, collect knives, and have thirty piercings? It's okay to judge people based on choices they make. Being black, gay, or a woman isn't a choice.
I like this.
Besides, anyone whom you write off simply because you know they occasionally smoke the odd joint or whatever probably won't want anything to do with you in the first place. Smoking may be a bad habit, but pettiness is probably worse for you in the long run. You're doing them a favor by staying out of their way.
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On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law.
Illegal does not mean morally wrong. The united states court of law also once required African American citizens to be segregated from the white folk. Would you like to make a case for that as well?
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On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away
I know we're not supposed to "+1," but...
+1
I think it's sad that people so often assume that their government is correct and that laws and morality are the same thing. I hope this doesn't derail the thread, because it's been awesome so far.
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I want to be if I can assure of the world, the real world around me as is possible. Now you can only attain that to a certain degree but I want the greatest degree of control. I've never involved myself in narcotics of any kind, I don't smoke I don't drink because that can just easily fuzz the edges of rationality fuzz the edges of my reasoning powers and I want to be as aware as I possibly can. That means giving up a lot of fantasies that might be comforting in someway but I'm willing to give that up; in order to live in an actually real world, as close as I can get to it.
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On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away
In America, when people break the law, we have this thing we do which we refer to as "calling the police". Equally as insane as my former post. Anyways, the police are readily available, and will report to the location you give them in very little time. They then proceed to arrest the criminals.
Is it stupid to call the police when someone is throwing their drug use in your face? Maybe on your island. But here, we call that normal.
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intrigue
Washington, D.C9935 Posts
edit: premature close. reopened
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Of course its bad to discriminate against drug users. Not all drug users are dirty criminals, most of them are just average people who go home and smoke a joint at the end of the day
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Prejudice isn't good, but drug use is generally bad...
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On October 17 2011 12:42 kidcrash wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. Illegal does not mean morally wrong. The united states court of law also once required African American citizens to be segregated from the white folk. Would you like to make a case for that as well?
What, this is bullshit. If there are unjust laws then we change them. Things that are illegal are harmful to yourself and others. If they aren't harmful to yourself and others then they shouldn't be illegal. But Laws are only there to enforce morals on society.
If you don't think drugs should be illegal, because they aren't harmful or whatever, then you're disputing that law. You're arguing that it shouldn't be illegal. But don't go around saying "Illegal =/= immoral" because that goes against the entire idea of a criminal justice system.
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On October 17 2011 13:12 DoubleReed wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:42 kidcrash wrote:On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. Illegal does not mean morally wrong. The united states court of law also once required African American citizens to be segregated from the white folk. Would you like to make a case for that as well? What, this is bullshit. If there are unjust laws then we change them. Things that are illegal are harmful to yourself and others. If they aren't harmful to yourself and others then they shouldn't be illegal. But Laws are only there to enforce morals on society. If you don't think drugs should be illegal, because they aren't harmful or whatever, then you're disputing that law. You're arguing that it shouldn't be illegal. But don't go around saying "Illegal =/= immoral" because that goes against the entire idea of a criminal justice system.
I think that this is a little off-topic. We don't need to discuss the definition of every single word in the OP, because I think we all understand well enough what it means to give opinions. If our definitions differ slightly it won't be a huge problem.
Instead of arguing about whether things are illegal or wrong or whatever, I think we should be discussing whether it's acceptable to judge someone based only on their drug use. The broadness of that is up to you.
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Seen too many people hurt by continued drug use, particularly in the university setting. No, drug use is a choice and *agreed* with Prejudices such as racism and sexism are based on fallacies, such as the assumption that black people or Asians or women or even majorities are in some way inferior to other demographics because of one or more innate flaws within them. This doesn't apply to drug users because drug use is a quantifiable phenomenon that causes a noticeable decrease of perception, critical thought, and the like, making discrimination against drug users justified. . Differs from racism and sexism for reasons stated.
Someone tells me they use drugs, my first thought find out why and discourage them from continued use from that point on. Exception for me is when someone is in continual, agonizing pain from a chronic disease.
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On October 17 2011 12:44 Chargelot wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away In America, when people break the law, we have this thing we do which we refer to as "calling the police". Equally as insane as my former post. Anyways, the police are readily available, and will report to the location you give them in very little time. They then proceed to arrest the criminals. Is it stupid to call the police when someone is throwing their drug use in your face? Maybe on your island. But here, we call that normal.
That is really concerning to me. I'm not a drug user but I've been around enough to have a fairly informed opinion, and to me the absolute worst thing you can do to a regular drug user (not a dealer) is call the authorities on them, at least not as a first option. Jail time, even a brief stint with no prison sentence, tends to lead to more drug use, and from what I've seen also can create feelings of paranoia and depression that last for an extended time afterwards.
Do I think you should not be prejudiced against drug users? I don't know - if you don't like drugs, then be prejudiced and don't hang out with drug users. But on the other hand, if you care about someone and they become a drug user or you find out that they use drugs, it should not drastically change how you perceive them. If you are concerned the best thing you can do is express your concern, and if that doesn't work try to get other people close to them to express their concerns as well.
Of course that all goes out the window when you're dealing with an armed drug dealer or someone who is violent and on PCP/coke/crack/etc. If you feel threatened then absolutely call the police, but if you are non-threateningly offered drugs, as the original post in the quote tree seemed to mention, then calling the cops is a seriously irrational first impulse. Drug users are not out to get you or make you use drugs, and if they offer it is because they honestly (and possibly not rationally, but sometimes they are fully rational about it) think that you would enjoy them or that they would help you in some way. Getting them into legal trouble is repaying their perceived kindness by negatively influencing their lives - sometimes permanently depending on what the police find. Yet again though, if you're aggressively being pushed to do heroin (for instance) by a drug dealer that just wants another customer, that's a different story from being offered pot at a house party.
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On October 17 2011 13:18 Danglars wrote:Seen too many people hurt by continued drug use, particularly in the university setting. No, drug use is a choice and *agreed* with Show nested quote +Prejudices such as racism and sexism are based on fallacies, such as the assumption that black people or Asians or women or even majorities are in some way inferior to other demographics because of one or more innate flaws within them. This doesn't apply to drug users because drug use is a quantifiable phenomenon that causes a noticeable decrease of perception, critical thought, and the like, making discrimination against drug users justified. . Differs from racism and sexism for reasons stated. Someone tells me they use drugs, my first thought find out why and discourage them from continued use from that point on. Exception for me is when someone is in continual, agonizing pain from a chronic disease.
This is interesting. Personally speaking, I've had more than one experience in which I asked a drug user for reasons as to why they used drugs, and when I was told "because I can" I challenged them to stop because it was hurting them. I was in fact told that I was a bigot because I judged drug users without ever having used those drugs myself.
I'm reminded of the American Juggalo thread in that these people practice an absurd level of acceptance. Is it really not okay to have an opinion on something (smoking pot is bad for you and should be avoided, for instance) without ever having experienced it? Doesn't that preclude democracy by saying that we can't have opinions on war unless we're veterans, can't have opinions on healthcare unless we've experienced every single option available, can't even have opinions on abortion unless we've had one?
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On October 17 2011 13:22 SpaceToaster wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:44 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away In America, when people break the law, we have this thing we do which we refer to as "calling the police". Equally as insane as my former post. Anyways, the police are readily available, and will report to the location you give them in very little time. They then proceed to arrest the criminals. Is it stupid to call the police when someone is throwing their drug use in your face? Maybe on your island. But here, we call that normal. That is really concerning to me. I'm not a drug user but I've been around enough to have a fairly informed opinion, and to me the absolute worst thing you can do to a regular drug user (not a dealer) is call the authorities on them, at least not as a first option. Jail time, even a brief stint with no prison sentence, tends to lead to more drug use, and from what I've seen also can create feelings of paranoia and depression that last for an extended time afterwards. Do I think you should not be prejudiced against drug users? I don't know - if you don't like drugs, then be prejudiced and don't hang out with drug users. But on the other hand, if you care about someone and they become a drug user or you find out that they use drugs, it should not drastically change how you perceive them. If you are concerned the best thing you can do is express your concern, and if that doesn't work try to get other people close to them to express their concerns as well. Of course that all goes out the window when you're dealing with an armed drug dealer or someone who is violent and on PCP/coke/crack/etc. If you feel threatened then absolutely call the police, but if you are non-threateningly offered drugs, as the original post in the quote tree seemed to mention, then calling the cops is a seriously irrational first impulse. Drug users are not out to get you or make you use drugs, and if they offer it is because they honestly (and possibly not rationally, but sometimes they are fully rational about it) think that you would enjoy them or that they would help you in some way. Getting them into legal trouble is repaying their perceived kindness by negatively influencing their lives - sometimes permanently depending on what the police find. Yet again though, if you're aggressively being pushed to do heroin (for instance) by a drug dealer that just wants another customer, that's a different story from being offered pot at a house party.
You, like so many people in this thread, are lumping all drugs together and saying that they are all equally bad. This is just silly.
Not all drugs harm the individual and society
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On October 17 2011 12:44 Chargelot wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away In America, when people break the law, we have this thing we do which we refer to as "calling the police". Equally as insane as my former post. Anyways, the police are readily available, and will report to the location you give them in very little time. They then proceed to arrest the criminals. Is it stupid to call the police when someone is throwing their drug use in your face? Maybe on your island. But here, we call that normal.
Im in california with less than an ounce and a medical card.
Call the police on me, they wont even bother showing and mention you to stop wasting their time.
Remember, difference between federal and state police, not like you would call the FBI or DEA on a kid with less than a ounce.
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comparing drug use to race or sex is a pretty damned far stretch. You don't decide whether you're black or white, male or female. Using drugs is a life choice it's not forced upon you.
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Obeying laws, even when you disagree with them, is a respectable and right thing to do. Sports have tangential benefits of health, discipline, and hard work, along with teamwork and cooperation. Drug use generally is pleasure for pleasure's sake, and is not productive for society.
Citing alcohol/cigarette legality is a misnomer. We should ban all of them or none of them. As a matter of moral principle, I'm in favor of banning all of them, but I'm just some weirdo who knows that I don't need to get wasted to enjoy myself or relax. As a matter of freedom, I'm in favor of permitting them, but I feel this is a sad point to cede when such a large portion of society is hampered and pacified by drugs use.
In conclusion, there is prejudice against drug use, and for good reason.
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On October 17 2011 13:29 oldgregg wrote:Show nested quote +On October 17 2011 13:22 SpaceToaster wrote:On October 17 2011 12:44 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:40 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:39 Chargelot wrote:On October 17 2011 12:34 Romance_us wrote:On October 17 2011 12:29 Greentellon wrote:
I know a person who is heavily alcoholic. Alcohol has been compared several times to the mildest of drugs and I have seen from front row how acholos has ruined his brain and life. Perhaps it's not all alcohols fault, but every time I see him wasted, stumbling around there unable to make a coherent thought, I pity him. I can't feel anything but pity towards him.
If I hear you mention drugs I may forgive you if you don't push the issue further, but if you keep at it or you actually whip some out, I will call the cops on the spot. Oh well, maybe I will leave the room/house first. Is that prejudice? No, it's me being smart. If you want to ruin your brain and health, go ahead. But don't drag me into your insanity. Dude, it's you being smart? HAHAHAHA. No. It's you having an irrational (and impulsive) reaction based on complete ignorance. That's quite humorous though I mean just to think you'd call the cops on somebody and negatively affect their life for a personal choice they made that does not directly nor indirectly affect yours just seems a little crazy In America, illegal drugs are illegal. It's insane, I know. But if you flaunt your drug use, you're probably going to jail, one way or another. Sorry that you don't like that. But that's the way it works. Something about crimes being prosecutable in the court of law. who said anything about morals being related to laws? please go away In America, when people break the law, we have this thing we do which we refer to as "calling the police". Equally as insane as my former post. Anyways, the police are readily available, and will report to the location you give them in very little time. They then proceed to arrest the criminals. Is it stupid to call the police when someone is throwing their drug use in your face? Maybe on your island. But here, we call that normal. That is really concerning to me. I'm not a drug user but I've been around enough to have a fairly informed opinion, and to me the absolute worst thing you can do to a regular drug user (not a dealer) is call the authorities on them, at least not as a first option. Jail time, even a brief stint with no prison sentence, tends to lead to more drug use, and from what I've seen also can create feelings of paranoia and depression that last for an extended time afterwards. Do I think you should not be prejudiced against drug users? I don't know - if you don't like drugs, then be prejudiced and don't hang out with drug users. But on the other hand, if you care about someone and they become a drug user or you find out that they use drugs, it should not drastically change how you perceive them. If you are concerned the best thing you can do is express your concern, and if that doesn't work try to get other people close to them to express their concerns as well. Of course that all goes out the window when you're dealing with an armed drug dealer or someone who is violent and on PCP/coke/crack/etc. If you feel threatened then absolutely call the police, but if you are non-threateningly offered drugs, as the original post in the quote tree seemed to mention, then calling the cops is a seriously irrational first impulse. Drug users are not out to get you or make you use drugs, and if they offer it is because they honestly (and possibly not rationally, but sometimes they are fully rational about it) think that you would enjoy them or that they would help you in some way. Getting them into legal trouble is repaying their perceived kindness by negatively influencing their lives - sometimes permanently depending on what the police find. Yet again though, if you're aggressively being pushed to do heroin (for instance) by a drug dealer that just wants another customer, that's a different story from being offered pot at a house party. You, like so many people in this thread, are lumping all drugs together and saying that they are all equally bad. This is just silly. Not all drugs harm the individual and society
I would argue that it's not important whether all drugs are equally bad, or even whether all drugs are bad at all. Rather, I'd encourage you to express your opinion on whether or not it's okay to judge people based on drug use. Perhaps you think that it's okay for some drugs you think are bad, but not okay for other, less harmful drugs? Vote "other" in the poll and tell us why!
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EPT
