We live in a high drug-using society here in Oz. Little wonder really when you see how much advertising is directed at selling drugs.
I think the public needs to be better educated about drugs, and substances of addiction.

The public-at-large need to know that they are taking drugs every day,  and addictive drugs at that. All perfectly OK, according to our govt.  Oh? You don't believe this?

I doubt a thinking person needs to have them named,  these every day drugs.  But perhaps I expect too much ?

I mean.. do people realise that they are drug-users.?  AHH it is medicine.   ::)   :)  But sorry people, all medicines are drugs. Whether recognised as such or not, the fact remains, we take drugs every day. Not understanding the potential for harm, because after all, it isn't illegal. ::)

A new example of an addictive substance has been recently identified. One we use every day.  Can you say what it is..? 

  YEP... it is SUGAR.


I have never had a serious sugar addiction,  and feel sorry for all you obese people who think they are normal.   Sorry .. NOT.  You are addicts . Just like all you addicts of high fat food.
Shame on you.. you should be taxed for your addiction, and punished with negative social stereotypes.

Now understand what the basic definition of 'drug' is.
I'll look up an old PAPER dictionary.  ...actually two dated dictionaries.......
.. a substance used in the treatment or prevention of disease. ... a chemical substance..esp a narcotic. taken for the effect it produces..

and

..a substance used as medicine in the treatment of disease..a narcotic, esp one that is addictive  obs a chemical or dye.

..these are the stereotypes we are taught. If it isn't medicine..??  it is by definition, bad.

It doesn't surprise me that sugar is being recognised as addictive. People take it for the pleasure it induces, much like a narcotic. Like caffeine and nicotine, both legal addictive drugs that are consumed for the effect produced, no one would seek to ban sugar .

The concepts people accept as per the status quo are simply erroneous.  What makes a drug.  or substance,, if you like,  illegal.? 


One thing I think should be banned is false advertising.

For example .
.It appalls me to see the bombardment of advertising for a common analgesic. YOU ALL KNOW THE ONE. Or else you've never watched television. >:(
Over the counter medicine, where pretty well everybody uses the major drug company brand name, to describe this whole range of analgesics, sold to you under many names, with many claims.. Long term use results in extensive liver disease. They don't tell you that in their adverts.!! Everybody uses it.. they think it is safe.  8-)  The blandishments of the propaganda overrides the small print, and I have known people who eat them daily. !!

Even though strict studies have shown that this drug is NOT efficacious in pain relief .. headache, arthritis etc, as promised,( a placebo is as effective )  people still swear by it.   WHY..?


These same obese pill eating people condemn those drug takers who prefer a better option. Go figure. ::)

People need to have a broader understanding of the reality of the world, and it is better to work together than to divide and attempt to decimate certain groups in society. I find it sad that our leaders structure our society into such divisive groups through enacted Law.

A sad world indeed.

I heard recently from someone I've met of their battle with a self professed 'addiction' to soft drinks such as coke etc.
Until then I didn't realise people struggled with sugar dependency.

I've found it is almost synonymous with low income households and neglected children.
It is easier to give kids what they want at that age (sugar), especially if you weren't raised to be aware of its dangers.

Sugar is 'my first addiction' for these kids, starting the trend early for forming bad habits.
All the markers are there. The vicious cycles of up and down, bingeing and withdrawal.

I don't blame them, or their parents. Enough generations of bad parenting can lead to these unhealthy habits.

I don't think bad parenting is the cause.. rather it is a symptom of a much wider malaise in our society.

What is that..?

Rationalism of the economic variety .. the god of consumerism dictates that we are seen as consumers and users of products. Even our government holds this view.  Hence education is less funded.. don't want the mob too informed.  :(

This increasingly insane and non-viable society is degenerating because of the drive for profit. Humans are just movable counters in the game of political rationalism. When government morphed into a business, under Howard, the rot began.

It is our children who will really pay the price.

Tough isn't it?  to think about things like drugs from a different stance.  Or did no one manage.?

Not to worry...  it is hard to understand one's own view as contrived and blinkered and based on lies..

If asked, no doubt a reply would consist of all the old stereotypes.

Hard to see yourself as addicted,  isn't it?.

I agree with your previous point. A lot of businesses profit off ignorance or stupidity.
Luckily people are becoming more aware of the need to have a healthy diet.

If we were to block any business or company we consider unethical however may ultimately restrict us.

I think you two are a bit hard on people.

Perhaps almost everyone is 'addicted' to something?

A Good movie, a good meal, a bike ride, visiting other countries.

See, addictions need not be bad.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 25^th, 2016 at 11:13pm:

I think you two are a bit hard on people. Perhaps almost everyone is 'addicted' to something? A Good movie, a good meal, a bike ride, visiting other countries. See, addictions need not be bad.

I don't think those are addictions  ;D If you mean that everyone has their vice some believe that's true.
It all depends on how much is enough.
Drinking enough soft drinks every day will rot your teeth and expand your waist in months.
"At least I dont smoke." They will say. Though that hardly changes anything.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 25^th, 2016 at 11:13pm:

I think you two are a bit hard on people. Perhaps almost everyone is 'addicted' to something? A Good movie, a good meal, a bike ride, visiting other countries. See, addictions need not be bad.

Which is precisely my point .. :)  Thank you Sprintcyclist.

I'm not condemning addiction... I say everyone is an addict of some sort.. it is , I would think, a common human trait to seek help in 'drugs' , which would differ depending on the disease.
Why some drugs are criminal, and create a whole strata of society by being so, mystifies me. It simply makes no sense.

why are some addictions criminal, and some not.?

Perhaps the answer is....  follow the dollar.! The worst basis on which to manage substances in our society is it not?  -- divide and conquer, the aim?  All we are doing is creating harm to our own people..

This should never have become a war. 

Emma wrote on May 2^nd, 2016 at 2:22am:

why are some addictions criminal, and some not.? Perhaps the answer is....  follow the dollar.! The worst basis on which to manage substances in our society is it not?  -- divide and conquer, the aim?  All we are doing is creating harm to our own people.. This should never have become a war.

X2

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Watch this video - it's scary.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/26/health/heroin-addicts-allie-johnny/index.html

This place has not attracted less stupid folk since I stopped frequenting it, I see. Hi sprint, I do not mean you, I've always thought you were a kindly intentioned person, just woefully naive in your choice of make believe friends. I've just checked in to see if any here are making any cogent arguments why we need to strongly resist Islamisation in our country, without being loony racist neo nazi style morons, aka Hanson supporters. I will have a look around to see, hello all.

This Topic was moved here from Drug Policy by freediver.