Addiction Science Forum - Latest comments on Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

vitamin [Visitor] — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:01:29 +0000

Hmm......I think as long as the substance in question isn't one that is instantly addicting and have drastic harmful affects, it should be fine that someone should take them, as long as they regulate it. Particularly, when it comes to marijuana, I think if it is treated like alcohol, you'll be fine.

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

Jerry [Visitor] — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 08:47:00 +0000

Seems like a good way for governments to raise money (regulation and taxes).

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

bizarrekpl [Member] — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:22:18 +0000

In a free society, people should be able to do as they please since they have that right. Doing soft drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, etc. is their choice. As most people stated, it's fine for recreational use in their home as long as there's no threat to society. It should just be legalized because people are going to do it anyway. I agree that there should be regulations like there is on alcohol and cigarettes.

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

andie35 [Member] — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:49:14 +0000

I think it is very hard to answer this, because like mentioned in the article sometimes people lose the ability to chose to use the drugs when they become addicted. Furthermore while I do think people should have the freedom to chose, I dont think it should ever be to the endangerment of other others.

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

dudenaspeedo [Member] — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:06:33 +0000

they're, not their...whoopsie!

dudenaspeedo OUT!

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

nfg29 [Member] — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:00:28 +0000

I think in a free society people should be able to do what they want to their own bodies, as long as they don't pose a threat to others or infringe on others' rights in doing so. There should still be regulations like there are on alcohol and cigarettes (age restrictions, driving restrictions, etc.), but I don't think it's justified to stop people altogether from doing something they want, if it doesn't effect anyone else.

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

dudenaspeedo [Member] — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:49:48 +0000

This question is a difficult one especially since I'm not informed enough on the matter to have an opinion. But, if asked this question out of the blue without thinking too much, I'd probably have to say that people should have the right to do drugs as they please. If they don't want to deal with the world and it's problems, and ruin their lives, so be it.. it's their own fault.

However, after thinking more in depth you begin to realize that it's not as simple as that. Some of these people have gone through extraordinary traumatic events, some have been abused physically and/or sexually, others not educated enough, underdeveloped proper coping skills, and have been exposed to and live through the harshest of realities. Drugs give these people away of escaping the past and their problems, but they are obsviously not the solution. So, is it right that these people (under these conditions who have been led astray) should have the right to ruin the rest of their lives because of drugs, when their are other ways of solving their problems? Should they have a right to do drugs?

Drugs change people, sometimes drastically, and destroy communities. No matter what, drugs are drugs. Making the soft drugs legal is not a solution. Only when it comes to medicinal purposes should these drugs be legalized, however, all medical drugs should be used based on a cost-benefit analysis (they probably are, idk?) and they should be restricted to medical uses and monitored carefully.

But making recreational psychotropic drugs illegal is not the greatest solution either, more needs to be done or another solution needs to arise. Because sometimes the mere fact of them being illegal is what triggers many individuals to use them. Exposure and more extreme prevention programs (coping skills programs as well) should be implemented in schools and communities. (DARE probably does the opposite of what it's meant to do) These programs should not be led by authority figures or people in power but the common people, and more importantly drug addicts themselves.

Laws aren't fun at all, but sometimes their made to protect you from yourself.

In response to: Recreational Drug Use: Do People Living in a Free Sociey have the Right to use Psychotropic Substances "Recreationally"?

cf413 [Member] — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:45:47 +0000

My short answer: yes! But this requires some explanation....

First, it seems like many of the comments are focused on whether or not a free society exists at all, which is a difficult question without defining 'society'. The social world on a broad scale could include your culture or your country which is inextricable from your politics - in that case, I don't believe I know of a free society that exists. But the "social" can also be the social world in which you live - the people you associate with, the networking that creates, the culture you take part in on a smaller scale. It's much easier to ignore the government on a smaller scale - people do this regularly (speeding, underaged drinking, etc) something that was popularized in the era of prohibition in which a generation of people subverted their allegiance to the law because, well, the law was ridiculous. In short, a free society is possible if you choose to live in one. Since society is a construct it is also malleable, so if you don't think you're living in a free society, then start! (if you want).

I think its also important that someone poses the following argument when discussing drug use: if people in a free society have the right to choice on all things that concern them, that includes their own health. Though it might seem like an absurd thing to say and is certainly counterintuitive, people must have as much a right to be miserable and unhealthy as they do to be healthy and happy. If we did not have the right to be miserable we would have to stop the radio from playing the music that allows us to be. If we did not have the right to be unhealthy, we'd have to shut down the chicken wing festival. And I for one do not want to stop listening to the radio, and I love the chicken wing festival. But in all seriousness, that is something worth considering - perhaps it is not entirely our place to dictate the health of others. Because it is inarguable at this point that people who use 'harder' drugs will eventually lose their ability to self regulate because of biological process (although some are still arguing that this isn't true: a professor from Harvard just published a book about the 'myth' of addiction as a disease), it is important to consider whether or not we have the right to intervene at all.

Nevertheless, there is an element of morality that can't be ignored, and I do believe that those who choose to attempt healthy lifestyles should be given the right to education about drugs and their effects. I think we should be focusing much less on the legality or illegality of drugs (a partnership for a drug free america? I'll believe that when there is a partnership for an adolescent free, college free, concert free america) and much more on education. If people have the right to choice it is also our responsibility to allow them to make informed choice: marijuana, maybe a good idea. heroin, probably not a good idea. Respecting choice also means respecting people.

Lastly, even though I fully support the right to alter and experiment with one's own mind as much or as little as one wants without criminal implications, I have to agree with those who commented above about a person's right to choice so long as it does not harm others. I know one person mentioned driving under the influence, which I agree should be regulated, though should be researched, especially when it comes to marijuana: just how much or how little do certain drugs compromise the ability to drive? The broad-sweeping anti-drug sentiment can have serious implications for people who smoke a little pot before going to see a movie and end up in jail for two years at the age of 19. To me, that is as irresponsible and ignorant as using 'heavy' drugs. If I might make a broad-sweeping anti-societal metaphor, society itself is arguably the heaviest drug available. And to the example of the kid meeting someone on acid in a grocery store: is the person on acid violent? hurting your kid? scaring him, or bothering him? These things are important to think about, and these stigmas about drug use are really important to break.