How 'normal' is drug taking?

Mods please move if this is better suited to Humanities or some other forum.

I was just wondering what people here think about taking illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. Do you consider it a pretty "normal" activity like drinking? Or do you find it shocking?

brummytom

Cocaine I'd find more shocking.


Weed/Cannabis/Marijuana/Bud wouldn't bother me too much; but none of my mates even smoke so I wouldn't be used to drugs at all.

We went to a lad from school's house on Saturday to pick up some cider, one lad lit up a massive spliff in the bedroom - my eyes watered!


I don't think it's 'normal'; and I hope most drugs don't become socially acceptable.
Cannabis is another story imo though

minidazzler

Weed, pretty common I think.

Coke, Quite common in a number of area's.

Ex, Not as common as it once was. Now more prescription drugs are what In have been seeing taken.

Mushie's, In season right now so I would say VERY common, especially around my area, EVERYONE who does drugs is taking them, all from one source too, who just goes out at 7 am to get them. Stupid cnut isn't even charging!!!

That's it really.

Arnold Layne

Illegal drug taking is not shocking, it is the norm, especially smoking a spliff. At least you have a better chance of purchasing an illegal substance for home use after 10pm unlike alcohol

thomond2006

How is the title even a legit question?

Dave!

If someone took something harder than marijuana in front of me then I'd be a bit uncomfortable.

It's not very common among my own circle of friends anyway.

Latchy

I dont think it's a case of being shocked to be honest , it's only normal in the sense that the people who take drugs( for whatever reason ) do so because it's just that , normal to them , as normal as many who go for their daily pint of guinness .

Taking drugs be they Cocaine or Ectasy,is a daily weekly choice of habit /hobby for many , specialy Cocaine and Ectasy replaced LSD as the popular chioce of drug for a whole generation back in the 80s . .The fall in the ecomomy will no doubt affect many peoples ablity to keep up their habit / drug of choice not to mention the quality of the drug in question although a smackhead will always get his fix one way or the other

citizen_p

well in my area it would be easier to get hash or cannabis than it is to get 6 cans......
i know alot of people that smoke hash ....dont get addicted (well same as ciggerates) and you cant overdose on it....

It's very normal OP and anyone who thinks it isn't can't be very clued-in to what's going on around them.

brummytom

rarnes1 wrote: »

It's very normal OP and anyone who thinks it isn't can't be very clued-in to what's going on around them.

Or the people around them don't have any interest in illegal substances

Spastafarian

brummytom wrote: »

Or the people around them don't have any interest in illegal substances

... yet.

I ask because my boyfriend reckons it's incredibly common, and that I'm just naive for thinking otherwise. I got through all of college without ever taking or being offered anything harder than a spliff, and I went to plenty of parties. The odd time someone would be on pills and I met one girl who I know was on coke one time, but that's it. Now, I'm sure there were others and I just was unaware, yes, but I just don't think it was socially acceptable the way he thinks it is. I think he thinks everyone does drugs because he hung out with people who did drugs, which from what I've ever seen, are still in the minority. From conversations I've had with my friends (from different colleges, countries), most of them are disgusted at stuff like cocaine and wouldn't know anyone who actually did it. I'd say well over half the people I know wouldn't have even tried spliff. And a lot of these people are 'wordly' types who've travelled and partied a LOT.

brummytom

Spastafarian wrote: »

... yet.

I can't comprehend the mindset of anyone who's willing to fuck up their body taking things like this.

I don't care if that makes me sound like a poof, I'm perfectly content not trying them thanks

My name is URL

I don't find it shocking that people take drugs, I just find it shocking that so many people abuse them

like teens taking handfulls of yokes in a night or going through bags of coke at a house party before going out and getting pissed, that not cool

El Weirdo

brummytom wrote: »

I don't care if that makes me sound like a poof, I'm perfectly content not trying them thanks

I'm sure ghey people take drugs too...;)

Earthhorse

[quote=[Deleted User];63112682]I ask because my boyfriend reckons it's incredibly common, and that I'm just naive for thinking otherwise. I got through all of college without ever taking or being offered anything harder than a spliff, and I went to plenty of parties. The odd time someone would be on pills and I met one girl who I know was on coke one time, but that's it. Now, I'm sure there were others and I just was unaware, yes, but I just don't think it was socially acceptable the way he thinks it is. I think he thinks everyone does drugs because he hung out with people who did drugs, which from what I've ever seen, are still in the minority. From conversations I've had with my friends (from different colleges, countries), most of them are disgusted at stuff like cocaine and wouldn't know anyone who actually did it. I'd say well over half the people I know wouldn't have even tried spliff. And a lot of these people are 'wordly' types who've travelled and partied a LOT.[/QUOTE]

I dunno. I know a lot of people who've done drugs and I wouldn't regard them as the wildest in the world. I think it's pretty common. But what pretty common means is anybody's guess. Socially acceptable? Depends what company you're in.

Zascar

It just totally depends on the circles you associate in. If it's just not there at all in your circles, you're certainly in the minority. It fairly common in most I'd say, and prominent in some - amazing the differences between them though

yoshytoshy

Personally ,I think drugs became more acceptable in the last years ,because there was so much money floating around.

The problem now is ,we've got loads of people who have the taste for drugs ,but not as much money for them.
Drugs will probably start becoming less acceptable ,but for the wrong reasons.

Mr Benevolent

How uncomfortable would you be if someone drank alcohol in your presence? In that case, I refer you to the recent UK government 'some drugs are safer then alcohol' scandal.

smiley girl

I am aware that a lot of people take drugs, wherever you go there are people who take drugs, that's a given these days.
BUT I would not consider it 'normal' in my life.

smiley girl

Confab wrote: »

How uncomfortable would you be if someone drank alcohol in your presence?

Alcohol is legal, drugs are not

Earthhorse

Earthhorse wrote: »

I dunno. I know a lot of people who've done drugs and I wouldn't regard them as the wildest in the world. I think it's pretty common. But what pretty common means is anybody's guess. Socially acceptable? Depends what company you're in.

I just think it's odd cos I have all kinds of friends from all kinds of places. I wouldn't be a sheltered person myself by any means. I had a friend in Spain who sold weed, but never took anything stronger. Only a handful of my friends have said they've taken harder drugs. Sure, some could have lied but why would they really.

Latchy

brummytom wrote: »

Or the people around them don't have any interest in illegal substances

Which is a good policy to adopt ,like the best way to stop smoking is to not start in the first place .

El Weirdo wrote: »

I'm sure ghey people take drugs too...;)

Sure ,all kinds of people will experiment with drugs ,peer pressure will be a key factor to many .But the clever ones will say '' tried that ,dont like /want that in my life and move on .

Earthhorse

[quote=[Deleted User];63112831]I just think it's odd cos I have all kinds of friends from all kinds of places. I wouldn't be a sheltered person myself by any means. I had a friend in Spain who sold weed, but never took anything stronger. Only a handful of my friends have said they've taken harder drugs. Sure, some could have lied but why would they really.[/QUOTE]

Well, I know of one girl who lies about her drug use to a friend because she doesn't want it to become an issue. I don't know if she still does or not. It's a possibility anyway. What age are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Earthhorse

Earthhorse wrote: »

Well, I know of one girl who lies about her drug use to a friend because she doesn't want it to become an issue. I don't know if she still does or not. It's a possibility anyway. What age are you, if you don't mind me asking?

24

El Weirdo

Latchy wrote: »

Which is a good policy to adopt ,like the best way to stop smoking is to not start in the first place .


Sure ,all kinds of people will experiment with drugs ,peer pressure will be a key factor to many .But the clever ones will say '' tried that ,dont like /want that in my life and move on .

The "clever ones"? Please elaborate.

leverarch12

Iv been in college for the past 3 years and iv only met a very small handful of people who take hard drugs, weed on the other is nearly more common than alcohol in a lot of places!

Zascar

I think its funny just how often you get people who would been totally anti-drugs and quite vocal about it, despite being totally clueless and naive about the who subject - but then years later they actually try them - realise its not a big deal, then turn into normal recreational users and generally they just chill the fcuk out and become a lot less ghey

Arnold Layne

Mousey- wrote: »

i know alot of people that smoke hash ....dont get addicted (well same as ciggerates) and you cant overdose on it....

You can overdose on hashish/weed but it usually results in a deep sleep or the "whiteys", followed by a deep sleep.

Earthhorse

[quote=[Deleted User];63112878]24[/QUOTE]

Right, well, what I will say, as a pretty much non-drug taker, that it was only in my late twenties that a lot of people I was friends with fessed up to taking drugs in their early twenties. Could be something similar going on with your crowd but again, it's speculation.

Sharpshooter

I would consider it normal for some people to try drugs, however the unfortunate ones that become hooked don't remain normal for long.
Total personality change and so on.

InKonspikuou2

They are very common and i have come across a lot of people who you would never think would be in to taking anything. And i'm not just taking about smoking weed as i don't even see that as a drug. Having been away and seen a lot of the world i've met people studying medicine, law,etc or people who have a clean cut look to them. Yet it was no bother to them to do coke or take pills. And i think most people who go to Asia end up outta their tree on mushrooms.

Fromvert

brummytom wrote: »

I can't comprehend the mindset of anyone who's willing to fuck up their body taking things like this.

I don't care if that makes me sound like a poof, I'm perfectly content not trying them thanks

Do you drink alcohol, smoke or eat poorly?
These also **** up your body.

OP - Loads of people do drugs. Is it normal? I'd say yes but obviously others would see it as not being normal.

dearg lady

[quote=[Deleted User];63112682]I ask because my boyfriend reckons it's incredibly common, and that I'm just naive for thinking otherwise. I got through all of college without ever taking or being offered anything harder than a spliff, and I went to plenty of parties. [/QUOTE]

I wouldn't call it naive necessarily, probably a combination of hanging out with people who tend not to do drugs, and also the fact that most people don't shout it from the rooftops, they do their drug of choice quietly. I'd say it's more common than some people realise, the thing is most people who do drugs do so in moderation so function completely normally in life, so ya wouldn't know.

brummytom wrote: »

I can't comprehend the mindset of anyone who's willing to fuck up their body taking things like this.
)

I dunno what drugs you're thinking of, but most recreational drugs won't **** you up

InkSlinger67

Stay away from the marrywana kids! If ya wanna get high just breath in the fumes from your local industrial estate - I know I'm off my bin most nights living beside a Hallmark card factory

Latchy

El Weirdo wrote: »

The "clever ones"? Please elaborate.

Any 14 to 17 year old who decides he or she doesn't need drugs in their lives such as weed ,cocanie or Ectasy is pretty clever in m my eyes specialy if they have maybe tried all or any of the above .

They have their heads screwed ...Why ??? Have a look at the celb culture ie'' amy whinehouse/kerry cantona '' oh ..i need to go to rehab ...I've done to much coke '' ( sigh) not great role models to any young people .

But I am old enough to know enough about the drug culture .It's claimed many victims who are dead before their time .

wudangclan

Done loads in my early twenties,it was all around me then.
Now i just smoke dope occasionally and a couple of times a year do a bit of mdma,tops.
Same with most of the people I see these days.
I tend to avoid the cokeheads altogether as they can be a bit erratic.

Bob_Harris

Drugs are bad m'kay.

I see no reason to take drugs. You must be pretty empty inside to need to resort to drugs as a recreational activity.

People who take drugs because they claim it "expands their mind" and "opens their third eye" are just as idiotic as the person who takes them because of the "cool" and trendy factor.

Kitty-kitty

I think it's a thing of social groups? Personally not only have I never taken drugs, but never been offered. For all they warned us of peer pressure I've never even seen a joint o.O And I graduated college this year.

Arnold Layne

smiley girl wrote: »

Alcohol is legal, drugs are not

Eh, pharmaceutical drugs are legal and are possibly more harmful to your body than weed. Coke & E on the otherhand are dangerous due to the unknown quanitities of chemicals in them.

LEONKING

a recent survey conducted in ireland showed that 77% of banknotes tested contained traces of illegal substances, mostly cocaine. I am genuinley shocked by some of the posters who are not aware of the prevelance of drugs. the level of cocaine use is throught ther roof. it is by far the drug of choice these days. hash/grass is not everywhere but the impact of the cocaine use is frightening

cocaine is available in most bars in dublin city centre everyweekend. ppl queing for the cubicles don;t all have the sh1ts you know!!

wudangclan

Bob_Harris wrote: »

Drugs are bad m'kay.

I see no reason to take drugs. You must be pretty empty inside to need to resort to drugs as a recreational activity.

People who take drugs because they claim it "expands their mind" and "opens their third eye" are just as idiotic as the person who takes them because of the "cool" and trendy factor.

You're not a drinker,then?

InkSlinger67

Sharpshooter wrote: »

I would consider it normal for some people to try drugs, however the unfortunate ones that become hooked don't remain normal for long.
Total personality change and so on.

I agree. A friend of mine once got a taste for the heroin and all he was interested in after that was skank and wrestling

Randy "The Ram" Robinson used to be such a fun guy! :pac:

Kitty-kitty

Kitty-kitty wrote: »

I think it's a thing of social groups? Personally not only have I never taken drugs, but never been offered. For all they warned us of peer pressure I've never even seen a joint o.O And I graduated college this year.

The majority of parties I've been at didn't have any open drug use, I'd say about 20% had weed, but the majority of people didn't smoke any.

El Weirdo

Latchy wrote: »

Any 14 to 17 year old who decides he or she doesn't need drugs in their lives such as weed ,cocanie or Ectasy is pretty clever in m my eyes specialy if they have maybe tried all or any of the above .

They have their heads screwed ...Why ??? Have a look at the celb culture ie'' amy whinehouse/kerry cantona '' oh ..i need to go to rehab ...I've done to much coke '' ( sigh) not great role models to any young people .

But I am old enough to know enough about the drug culture .It's claimed many victims who are dead before their time .

As you say, the two knobs you have used as examples are hardly what anyone would call role models.

But there are thousands... nay millions of recreational illegal drug users that go about their lives in a perfectly normal way.

My name is URL

LEONKING wrote: »

a recent survey conducted in ireland showed that 77% of banknotes tested contained traces of illegal substances, mostly cocaine.

100% in this survey - http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1290.php

Latchy

Zascar wrote: »

I think its funny just how often you get people who would been totally anti-drugs and quite vocal about it, despite being totally clueless and naive about the who subject - but then years later they actually try them - realise its not a big deal, then turn into normal recreational users and generally they just chill the fcuk out and become a lot less ghey

The irony is that a lot of people who are anti - drugs are the very people who themselfs took them for many year so they try point out the possible and many dangers to their own children and what parent wouldn't .

El Weirdo wrote: »

As you say, the two knobs you have used as examples are hardly what anyone would call role models.

But there are thousands... nay millions of recreational illegal drug users that go about their lives in a perfectly normal way.

of course ,not disputing that for a moement but you also have somebody like Jordan in the jungle who would consider herself another recreational drug user but ......well ...another knob..... but a knob who's actions are followed by impressionable teens .

dearg lady

My name is URL wrote: »

100% in this survey - http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=1290.php

Lol, seems a little crazy that this is the largest sample ever tested and it's only 45 notes!!

Fromvert

Latchy wrote: »

The irony is that a lot of people who are anti - drugs are the very people who themselfs took them for many year so they try point out the possible and many dangers to their own children and what parent wouldn't .




of course ,not disputing that for a moement but you also have somebody like Jordan in the jungle who would consider herself another recreational drug user but ......well ...another knob..... but a knob who's actions are followed by impressionable teens .

Well then those teens are idiots.

120_Minutes

[quote=[Deleted User];63112682]I got through all of college without ever taking or being offered anything harder than a spliff, and I went to plenty of parties. The odd time someone would be on pills and I met one girl who I know was on coke one time, but that's it. Now, I'm sure there were others and I just was unaware, yes, but I just don't think it was socially acceptable the way he thinks it is. I think he thinks everyone does drugs because he hung out with people who did drugs, which from what I've ever seen, are still in the minority. From conversations I've had with my friends (from different colleges, countries), most of them are disgusted at stuff like cocaine and wouldn't know anyone who actually did it. I'd say well over half the people I know wouldn't have even tried spliff. And a lot of these people are 'wordly' types who've travelled and partied a LOT.[/QUOTE]

this is a key statement. its the company you keep, the circles you mix in. almost all of my friends use a controlled substance of some sort, though only a few use more than one regularly. i'm in my mid thirties and know plenty of people under 30 who still dont know when to stop with their chosen vice. so much so, that they've invented slang for it.

also, your choice of drug is important. weed is a social drug, its passed around, stoners will find stoners and bond. cocaine is a helluva err..selfish drug, if you have it, you either dont want other people to know you have it, or you just dont want other people scab some off you. i'm not a fan of coke, tried it, didnt see the point. it turns normal people into assholes and assholes into unbearable assholes. E makes everyone love everyone else, but until you come up you'd be pretty scabby with your stash too.

so the reason you think you're sheltered is the fact that you havent learned to read the signs yet. more people you know are doing drugs than you think, its just you've copped the more sociable, approachable one.

I made my choice, and it aint of the chemical variety.

Latchy

Fromvert wrote: »

Well then those teens are idiots.

what teen isin't an idiot at some stage ?