Thought Experiment - New Drug Discovered

flying _squirl

Just a quick thought experiment. I wanna see what other Irish people would say.

Alternate reality: It's 2009, a new drug has been discovered the main effect of which is decreased inhibition.

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression, liver damage and even birth defects.

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?


I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger


EDIT: This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

EDITEDIT: just wanted to add in birth defects and liver damage to the side effects list

me_right_one

I'd say yes, it would be legalised. The main reason being its extremley low levels of addictiveness. The stuff you quoted would happen to you if you took too much of anything! Give a child too many sweets for example!

flying _squirl

flying _squirl wrote: »

I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger

Nope, they'd realize they could legalize it, tax it and ban every alternative that could lower that tax revenue.

My name is URL

It would be made illegal for sure

me_right_one

me_right_one wrote: »

I'd say yes, it would be legalised. The main reason being its extremley low levels of addictiveness. The stuff you quoted would happen to you if you took too much of anything! Give a child too many sweets for example!

Taking the piss yea? When you look at what is illegal, alcohol is much worse.

me_right_one

Deleted User wrote: »

Taking the piss yea? When you look at what is illegal, alcohol is much worse.

Sore head have we?

flying _squirl

Just added liver damage to the list of side effects

me_right_one

me_right_one wrote: »

Sore head have we?

Yep.

TPD

Illegal. You say this thread isn't for debating other drugs, but you know rightly it would come up :P

Apply the same criteria to cannabis, I'd say legal. I wouldn't mind if they swapped the laws even.

davyjose

flying _squirl wrote: »

Just a quick thought experiment. I wanna see what other Irish people would say.

Alternate reality: It's 2009, a new drug has been discovered the main effect of which is decreased inhibition.

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression and liver damage.

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?


I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger


EDIT: This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

EDITEDIT: just wanted to add in liver damage to the side effects list

As long as I can have a nice tobaccoey, cancery cigarette, who cares?

R0ot

Ireland's top scientists would have discovered a way to turn our race into pure energy [/family guy] :pac:

flying _squirl

The Perfect Drug wrote: »

Illegal. You say this thread isn't for debating other drugs, but you know rightly it would come up :P

Apply the same criteria to cannabis, I'd say legal. I wouldn't mind if they swapped the laws even.

heh, yea, i know just wanted to say it wasn't my original intent

food for thought:
Top ten most dangerous drugs:
1. Heroin - popular street names include smack, skag, and junk.
2. Cocaine - often referred to as snow, flake, coke, and blow.
3. Barbiturates - popular slang names include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's, and rainbows.
4. Street Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine - a powerful hallucinogen, often referred to as Special K.
7. Benzodiazepines - a family of sedative drugs.
8. Amphetamines - known as greenies among baseball players.
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine - also called bupe or subbies.

NOTE: not too sure of the credibility of that site anyone got a better source?
slightly better:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/02/david-nutt-dangerous-drug-list

anti-venom

Prohibition works. People never use banned substances, they're not curious about them and banning them will not endow them with an aura of mystery. If they were legal no doubt everyone would be using them.

CuLT

Alternate reality: it is the year 2009, mankind faces an epic struggle for survival. The forces of nature have spun wildly out of control. Mighty cities have crumbled and the dinosaurs have returned to reclaim the Earth. In this savage land, one man stands alone - Jack Tenrac, defending humanity in a world gone mad. A world where only the strong survive; a world of...

Is this world Cadillacs and Dinosaurs? Thoughts?

flying _squirl

CuLT wrote: »

Alternate reality: it is the year 2009, mankind faces an epic struggle for survival. The forces of nature have spun wildly out of control. Mighty cities have crumbled and the dinosaurs have returned to reclaim the Earth. In this savage land, one man stands alone - Jack Tenrac, defending humanity in a world gone mad. A world where only the strong survive; a world of...

Is this world Cadillacs and Dinosaurs? Thoughts?

so... are you saying it wouldn't be?

(also, I'd totally see that movie... just once it wasn't done by Michael Bay)

CuLT

flying _squirl wrote: »

so... are you saying it wouldn't be?

(also, I'd totally see that movie... just once it wasn't done by Michael Bay)

I'm not sure what I'm saying really, I just read your opening paragraph and thought of cadillacs and dinosaurs

flying _squirl

CuLT wrote: »

I'm not sure what I'm saying really, I just read your opening paragraph and thought of cadillacs and dinosaurs

:eek: holy awesome batman!!!

ride-the-spiral

flying _squirl wrote: »

heh, yea, i know just wanted to say it wasn't my original intent

food for thought:
Top ten most dangerous drugs:
1. Heroin - popular street names include smack, skag, and junk.
2. Cocaine - often referred to as snow, flake, coke, and blow.
3. Barbiturates - popular slang names include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's, and rainbows.
4. Street Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine - a powerful hallucinogen, often referred to as Special K.
7. Benzodiazepines - a family of sedative drugs.
8. Amphetamines - known as greenies among baseball players.
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine - also called bupe or subbies.

NOTE: not too sure of the credibility of that site anyone got a better source?
slightly better:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/02/david-nutt-dangerous-drug-list

Strange, I would've though Tobacco is more addictive than alcohol.

TPD

ride-the-spiral wrote: »

Strange, I would've though Tobacco is more addictive than alcohol.

Addictiveness != dangerousness

Captain Havoc

Yeah, alcohol and fags would definately be banned but for the fact they've been around since the year dot. I wouldn't mind seeing fags getting banned right now, the fags make the hangover so much worse. I would like to see canabis getting legalised though.

Probably would be, yeah. But how boring, the only reason I drink alcohol is the actual drinking part really. Liquids and all that. The effects of alcohol are pretty **** on me.

Joey the lips

This is another cannibas arguement right..... The same could be said for ciggerattes. Then again petrol as it harms the environment. The list goes on.

davyjose

Yeah, we'd definitely need something; if not alcohol, then something else to take the edge off life. imagine waking up every morning knowing this is as good as it gets ... shudder!!!

ride-the-spiral

The Perfect Drug wrote: »

Addictiveness != dangerousness

Oh right sorry, didn't notice that. Makes sense now I guess. :pac:

flying _squirl

flying _squirl wrote: »

heh, yea, i know just wanted to say it wasn't my original intent

food for thought:
Top ten most dangerous drugs:
1. Heroin - popular street names include smack, skag, and junk.
2. Cocaine - often referred to as snow, flake, coke, and blow.
3. Barbiturates - popular slang names include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's, and rainbows.
4. Street Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine - a powerful hallucinogen, often referred to as Special K.
7. Benzodiazepines - a family of sedative drugs.
8. Amphetamines - known as greenies among baseball players.
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine - also called bupe or subbies.

NOTE: not too sure of the credibility of that site anyone got a better source?
slightly better:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/02/david-nutt-dangerous-drug-list

Methanphetamine and crack should be in the list above Heroin.

Shacklebolt

rarnes1 wrote: »

Methanphetamine and crack should be in the list above Heroin.

Crack is a form of cocaine.

AntoSRFC

Shacklebolt wrote: »

Crack is a form of cocaine.

Both very different drugs though. Crack is a hell of a lot more addictive.

Executive Steve

AntoSRFC wrote: »

Both very different drugs though. Crack is a hell of a lot more addictive.

As has been stated before, "addictive" and "dangerous" aren't necessarily the same thing though.

WeWillBeReborn

flying _squirl wrote: »

Just a quick thought experiment. I wanna see what other Irish people would say.

Alternate reality: It's 2009, a new drug has been discovered the main effect of which is decreased inhibition.

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression, liver damage and even birth defects.

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?


I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger


EDIT: This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

EDITEDIT: just wanted to add in birth defects and liver damage to the side effects list

This sounds like an episode of Fringe

Crumble Froo

rarnes1 wrote: »

Methanphetamine and crack should be in the list above Heroin.

i'd imagine the method of taking the drug - ie, injecting, would be included as part of the danger with heroin. HIV, hep B, hep C, abscesses, fcuked veins, and just the high risk of going over (O.D), can make it quite a dangerous drug, without factoring in the addictiveness etc.

Prof.Badass

flying _squirl wrote: »

Just a quick thought experiment. I wanna see what other Irish people would say.

Alternate reality: It's 2009, a new drug has been discovered the main effect of which is decreased inhibition.

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression, liver damage and even birth defects.

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?


I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger


EDIT: This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

EDITEDIT: just wanted to add in birth defects and liver damage to the side effects list

No-one would do it, not even the homeless. Instead people would get the same effects from a far safer drug (probably a benzo or possibly ghb). In such a society drinking alcohol would be seen the same way we look at huffing solvents.

MDMA would also have never taken off because people wouldn't be used to the idea of accepting a horrible aftermath as part of a good weekend.

banshee_bones

flying _squirl wrote: »

heh, yea, i know just wanted to say it wasn't my original intent

food for thought:
Top ten most dangerous drugs:
1. Heroin - popular street names include smack, skag, and junk.
2. Cocaine - often referred to as snow, flake, coke, and blow.
3. Barbiturates - popular slang names include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's, and rainbows.
4. Street Methadone
5. Alcohol
6. Ketamine - a powerful hallucinogen, often referred to as Special K.
7. Benzodiazepines - a family of sedative drugs.
8. Amphetamines - known as greenies among baseball players.
9. Tobacco
10. Buprenorphine - also called bupe or subbies.

NOTE: not too sure of the credibility of that site anyone got a better source?
slightly better:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/02/david-nutt-dangerous-drug-list

Thought that Crystal Meth was the most addictive drug around? no?

Abi

flying _squirl wrote: »

Just a quick thought experiment. I wanna see what other Irish people would say.

Alternate reality: It's 2009, a new drug has been discovered the main effect of which is decreased inhibition.

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression, liver damage and even birth defects.

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?


I'd say it'd get banned right off the bat and that the government would roll out a massive anti-drug campaign and an education program dealing with the harmful effects of this new danger


EDIT: This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

EDITEDIT: just wanted to add in birth defects and liver damage to the side effects list

Nuns! Nuns! reverse! reverrrrse!

mikom

flying _squirl wrote: »

The side effects, depending on exposure, include, but are not limited to, inability to reason, nausea, vomiting, loosing conciousness, headaches, depression, liver damage and even birth defects.

Forgot to include droopy dick.

My name is URL

mikom wrote: »

Forgot to include droopy dick.

Ah the old Brewer's Droop, nothing a pair of toothpicks can't fix

mikom

My name is URL wrote: »

Ah the old Brewer's Droop, nothing a pair of toothpicks can't fix

Yep, apparently alcohol related impotence is on the rise.......

AntoSRFC

[cm]tyranny wrote: »

As has been stated before, "addictive" and "dangerous" aren't necessarily the same thing though.

I agree 100%. Although they are related. But never said they were the same thing. I just stated crack is alot more addictive.

AntoSRFC

vinylmesh wrote: »

No-one would do it, not even the homeless. Instead people would get the same effects from a far safer drug (probably a benzo or possibly ghb).

MDMA would also have never taken off because people wouldn't be used to the idea of accepting a horrible aftermath as part of a good weekend.

Werent people hospitalised recently using it? I know it probally was from overdose or mixing it with other substances but still in my mind it isnt a safe drug.

Also i have no experience taking pure MDMA but isnt there a come down and a Midweek crash associated with it?

flying _squirl

Joey the lips wrote: »

This is another cannibas arguement right..... The same could be said for ciggerattes. Then again petrol as it harms the environment. The list goes on.

flying _squirl wrote: »

[...]
This isn't intended as an argument to legalise other drugs bdw, just want to see what you'd think about it if it was just discovered

Actually it was meant as a thought experiment to take a different look at the actual effects of alcohol and how integrated and accepted it is in our modern society despite its dangerous and toxic effects

before you ask, yea, I do drink. (vodka for me plz ^_^) but when i thought about it I was just kinda surprised at how accepted it is considering its harmful effects and wanted to see what other people thought

ScumLord

All new drugs are banned weather their dangerous or not so yes if alcohol came out today it would be illegal.

peasant

flying _squirl wrote: »

alcohol and how integrated and accepted it is in our modern society despite its dangerous and toxic effects

Just for the record:
It is absolutely possible to "use" alcohol all your life, to actually enjoy it without ever getting a hangover, never mind doing damage to your health.

(probably only works if you're not Irish, though :pac:)

ScumLord

peasant wrote: »

Just for the record:
It is absolutely possible to "use" alcohol all your life, to actually enjoy it without ever getting a hangover, never mind doing damage to your health.

(probably only works if you're not Irish, though :pac:)

Still though half the fun of alcohol is the fact you can act like an ass and the next day it's considered funny. Ireland is fairly unique in that nobody can talk down to you for being a drunken fool because everyone including the gossip up the road has been there so it's all one big joke instead.

MrMicra

Viagra is dangerous as all get out. It gives you horrible palpitations and splitting headaches. Nobody knows what it will do in the long term.

Well worth it

Prof.Badass

AntoSRFC wrote: »

Werent people hospitalised recently using it? I know it probally was from overdose or mixing it with other substances but still in my mind it isnt a safe drug.

For a drug with the same effects as alcohol it's about as safe as you could expect.

It's found naturally in the human body and is broken right down to CO2 and water. It gives no hangover and is completely non-toxic in the long term. It's also more pro-social than alcohol with a lesser tendency to cause violence. In the list that was mentioned previously (where alcohol came in at #5), ghb came in at #17.

The problem is that on the street it comes in a liquid of unknown concentration, making it impossible to know what dose you are taking.

To make things worse, many people aren't aware of the effects of ghb (partly because of the idiotic nickname "liquid ecstacy"). As it has very simmilar effects to alcohol, taking it while already plastered could be like doubling the amount of alcohol you have drank :eek:. How ghb overdoses aren't a lot more common is completely beyond me.

If it was sold legally in pills with a measured dose, and a simple campaign of "GHB has the same effects as alcohol, don't take it when already drunk. You could die" it is my belief that it would benifit society greatly. Far much more so than legalising cannabis or any other drug.

Also i have no experience taking pure MDMA but isnt there a come down and a Midweek crash associated with it?

That's what i was saying.

espinolman

flying _squirl wrote: »

Is this new drug, 'alcohol', legalised? Thoughts?

It would probably be made illegal , because they could make a lot from it , selling it on the black market

AntoSRFC

vinylmesh wrote: »

That's what i was saying.

Sorry miss read your post.

Is GHB that popular in Ireland?

bigeasyeah

I d love a pint

smegmar

not the best video, but the sketch is good.

When Sir Walter Raleigh first discovered tobacco if he had the use of a phone the conversation would have gone like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEIBKWOAa9A

Prof.Badass

AntoSRFC wrote: »

Sorry miss read your post.

Is GHB that popular in Ireland?

No idea tbh. You can order it's precursors over the internet so it wouldn't be incredibly rare, but besides that i wouldn't know.