Drugs Resource

Introduction

I am amazed to find no single example of a good, persuasive writer, drug-user or otherwise, who manages to put a face on the complexities of the most complicated lifestyle in history. No group of people are more persecuted, less understood and more in danger from themselves and others than users. There's no voice, no representation and no tolerance.

It's disgusting, to be honest. "Just say no" does not work. Humans by nature are a stubborn bunch, and being told not to do something is the most efficient way to make it desirable, or at the very least, intriguing, especially for children, and that is exactly who the message targeted. For adults, it meant something else entirely. It meant that it was not acceptable in any form, use equals abuse, black and white, right and wrong, no middle ground. The vast majority of users are not addicts of any substance, and even if they are, can escape suspicion, pay their bills, and integrate into society just fine with some effort. The American public unknowingly served as the catalyst that transformed this three word phrase into a somehow multi-faceted, unyielding example of how NOT to handle drug use. I bet Nancy Reagan didn't even realize it would be as effective as it has been. It's still a standard mantra for those who prefer not to think.

Herein lies the problem. The picture of an addict has remain unchanged over the past thousand years. Perhaps homeless, eyes gaunt, nose covered with white powder, and most definitely jobless. These are the rock bottom addicts and the only ones that are obvious, and as such, the only identiable example of a drug abuser with a problem. No one suspects the president of a telecommunications corporation or the manager of a Wal-Mart, but drug use can be easily hidden up to the point when it becomes impossible to hide; which is, like I said, rock bottom.

I suppose my point here is that things are all wrong. Just, all wrong. Our viewpoints on drug use are wrong, our views on addiction is wrong, education, rehabilitation, prevention. We are generalizing a problem which is awfully specific. Gambling, food and even videogame addiction in children are far more rampant and far less demonized than drug addiction.

Everyone is to blame for how things are. They didn't get this way on their own. Me, you, your cousin and your cousin's great great grandparents, whether involved or not involved, addicts, users or non-users, every word spoken and every action taken by everyone everywhere has had some kind of sway on our views as a whole. I want to open a dialogue. I want to bring attention, point out stupidity, I want to point and yell. I want to help people who need help without fear of judgement, without repercussion, without punishment.

So here's what I'm going to do. I'm no expert, I'm no doctor, but I know a lot about a lot of things and I've been through much in my life, and actually in an extremely short period of time in the grand scheme of things. If you're a user considering stepping up to something more intense, come here. If you're a parent who thinks your son or daughter is using a drug, come here. If you want information on the drug legalization debates, come here. Unfortunately there are times when I will have to be vague. Perhaps one day, people will be able to talk openly without fear of persecution. Hell, it's likely that will be the day when we will no longer NEED to to make a difference. What a conundrum.

Just for the record. I don't do drugs. I hate drugs. I'll never do drugs. Okay?

posted by Jigsaw @ 10:58 AM