So, why are some drugs considered illicit, while others are available at Walgreens? There are a multitude of theories pertaining to the reasons behind drug categorization. Some say that it is entirely economical; claiming that the government will only legalize what is taxable. This, of course, is a logical fallacy, considering that the government could have taxed the vast majority of currently illegal drugs as soon as the public became aware of them, in that it was the government and associated agencies that created them. Writers on breathing.com assert that the purpose of pharmaceuticals is to reduce symptoms of a disease, but to sustain illnesses (or create new ones) in order to incite dependency. I find the answer far simpler.
The fact is that there is very little, if any, difference between the drugs on the pharmaceutical market, and drugs on the black market. Both have additives you’d rather pretend you didn’t know of, both contain harmful elements, and both provoke dependency. Indeed, they have mostly the same ingredients. The fact is that pharmaceutical companies pay the government subsidies, taxes, bribes, and lobbies. Drug dealers usually don’t even put their money in American banks. The fact is that there are hardly any truly illegal drugs. There is only an illegal way to sell it and an illegal way to buy it. Now there’s the rub.
It would probably befit our society most to avoid altering our minds and bodies with chemicals altogether. But this will likely never happen. While Jesus will give us a staple miracle to bring alcohol to the party (wedding), Socrates had his famous Symposium, in which every sort of mind discussed love over liquor; two heady intoxicants indeed. This is only the germinal dogma of American society; the intrinsic nature of drugs can be felt worldwide. Opiates, LSD, marijuana, peyote, coca, and many others have been fundamental elements of religious rituals for millennia. Just ask the Food and Drug Administration: the biggest moneymakers are the least listed in your daily value. Whether we seek to see life in the fantastic chrome pulsing through nature, or experience our day in mellifluous and sleepy contentment, chemicals are in part what make the sensorial dimension sufferable. So the next time you consider judging or condemning a little shot of nose candy, remember what you were taught as a kid: a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.
If I put powder cocaine into an empty capsule drug capsule and swallow it will give the same results if I snorted that same amount
By the way, I’m not sure exactly how accurate this article is, as it’s hard to read past all the bold and italic crap, but I think I agree with the general message.
“Recreational” drug use should be a non-issue, in my opinion, but there *are* some people who go overboard and hurt themselves. To that I say, the same help could be available if it were legal, as is available while it is illegal right now.
Imagine how many DEATHS would be prevented if there were no need for gang wars, robbery, and other crimes surrounding drugs? These could be DRASTICALLY reduced if drug use were legalized. Think of all the prison & legal costs we could save?
Here a plan: not ideal, but perhaps require a short 10-hour or so drug class before giving a license to buy & use whatever the heck you want. It’s your body, your responsibility.
If some idiot drinks and drives, that doesn’t mean that everyone else will be similarly irresponsible. The same sort of rule applies for irresponsible drug use. If they do something stupid, then you can do something about it. Why bother if they haven’t done anything dumb?
I applaud Desmond Parks piece on mortality!
Best,
Ghurron Briscoe