The problem with only pursuing decriminalization or legalization of marijuana is that it still assumes that the prohibition of the other drugs is justified while it is not. In fact the prohibition of anything aside from crimes with victims really is unjust and harms those who engage in the activity without harming others. All of our actions can be harmful. I can drive a car into another human being but we don't make driving illegal. I can rape another human but we don't make sex illegal. These activities which can act as drugs do on the brain are not prohibited but rather regulated just as all drugs should be regardless of how much harm it may lead to as it isn't the drug that results in that but rather how that drug is used. Similar to how the car is used or even sex. Sex can be weapon, entertainment, healthy, reproduction, intoxicant and it can be an addiction. We don't make it illegal though.
When we pursue the prohibition of something it makes those who engage in this activity even if little harm is being done a criminal and engaging in illegal activity. A person who buys sex for example is not committing any harm to a person unless that person is transmitting diseases, lying to their wife/husband or not in the profession by choice. Every activity that humans naturally engage in which includes having sex and doing drugs needs to be controlled to ensure the reduction of harm is attained.
Through having a controlled market for all things not just cannabis, sex for sale and gambling but everything such as more control over media (advertising, media, etc) (more constraints on false advertising resulting from lots of commercials involving unhealthy foods and promoting harmful drug use like excessive alcohol consumption)thus leading to brainwashing. We need to stop thinking that drugs are harmful while other things are safe like alcohol, advertising, video games and more. These activities can be safe but they can be very harmful too and we seem to be denying that at the societal level including even policies regarding governmental activity.
Who regulates? The government but sadly, the government is made up of corrupt and dishonest individuals who are only in it for money meaning the government needs to impose policies on itself regarding the separation of business and government too, not just religion and government. The involvement of businessmen (few women) are skewing the governmental practices and resulting in it being about friends and money not the wellness of the country it is trying to govern. Democracy isn't just about having a vote but actually having your needs being upheld not the needs of the few. We all have fundamental rights the government should be willing to do anything to protect but they neglect to do this because the government is not made up of those who are speaking for the many but rather the few.
How can we change this? I don't know but prohibition of everything has to stop unless it is rape, murder, sex slavery, organ theft, governmental deregulation on itself and theft and fraud. Assault and public intoxication should not be tolerated any longer especially at bars. This one of the number one reasons men die. WE can't continue to condone the inappropriate use of drugs regardless of what it is. However, nobody knows what appropriate use is which is where my self-help guide called Using your Brain and Psychoactive Substances: A Holistic and Empowering approach to regaining control over your life. It isn't finished yet but I have been working hard at it since March of this year and am done writing it just it needs editing at which I apparently am not very good at.
Hope all is well!
August 29, 2009
August 24, 2009
Preventing Crime, Really?
Many people go on about having to get tough on crime and ending gang violence yet the policies that they are implementing goes against exactly what is needed when helping to reduce crime not only to prevent people from becoming future victims but also to prevent the "bad guy" from being a victim of having a malfunctioning brain.
It is being shown now through neuroscience that for those who are violent or are considered evil in nature, it is their brain that is leading them to this highly maladaptive and harmful actions. In some cases, yes it may be advantageous to be violent but not evil and even in times that call for violent actions, there are still lines to be crossed that lead individual's into actions considered evil.
Politicians are often called to become tough on crime and this is what Stephen Harper in Canada seems to be delivering the problem is, his action to reduce crime is not likely going to result in any true end to harmful crimes to society. Longer sentences can't reduce a crime that has already occurred so therefore, how do minimum sentences truly reduce the need or drive for humans to committee these acts?
When we consider attempting to reduce gang violence such as paying for the removal of gang tattoos while on the other end increasing the penalties for growing marijuana or dealing drugs which is exactly what these gangs get rich off doing and continue their motivation to be violent especially towards one another.
Gangs serve something very important not only to each member of the gang but also for the supply of prohibited drugs and activities that are in demand and are not always harmful if used but when prohibition comes into play, it changes everything. Do you think of Al Capone as being similar to Molson Canadian? Well they are, they both provide a drug that people want. Why is it for those who bought from Al Capone they were criminals but when they buy it in a liquor store they aren't?
We all want things and it shouldn't be prohibited but rather regulated and controlled so that Molson Canadian's can go on with business ethically while individuals like Al Capone who could kill others were in charge of its distribution. Is it any wonder why people went blind on products bought during the prohibition of alcohol? Who could you call to complain? Today, if we bought alcohol sold to us by Molson Canadian that resulted in blindness, we could certainly sue resulting in likely becoming very rich as any alcohol content issues would be criminal. Alcohol does eventually cause liver problems but this is only with the abuse of the product, not the actual using of the product.
The people who sell products need to ensure they are safe to use as otherwise this would result in liabilities unless otherwise known to that individual such as abuse of alcohol can result in serious harm. When we buy alcohol today, it isn't to get drunk but to have a glass of wine or two for nice relaxation and social function gathering. Yeah, or some people (a lot) drink a bottle and stumble home only to find out they were at home. When Molson Canadian distributes their products, it isn't their intention you use in this fashion just as it isn't a auto dealers belief you are going to go speeding down the wrong side of the highway on purpose.
If we want to prevent crime, we need to distribute drugs or provide activities we may not like in society but trying to prevent it only makes it worse. The example of abstinence only being taught in USA has not reduced pregnancy or STIs, only worsened them. WE can't stop teens from having sex, just as they couldn't stop me either. It wasn't about hearing a message about it being wrong, it didn't matter as I wanted to do it just like everyone else I knew when I was that age and this doesn't change as we get older either. In fact, it likely just goes up well for women it does. Too bad guys, its a lot of fun!!
Anyways, if my having sex with a guy I liked without marriage was illegal even while an adult, it would get very risky and harmful as people would do it anyways. There would be many people in jail, just like there is for drugs. In addition, if people were to be able to have sex with people that they liked without marriage yet it was only legal for the guy to engage in this while women still went to jail, it would be a little weird as only 50% of the transaction is legal. This is the same for drugs. If we decriminalize, then we only are able to buy drugs but only if talking to Al Capone.
So all you people who support ending gang violence, I suggest you look beyond prohibition and think about preventing the crime before it occurs rather than just increasing the financial reward of gang members for the crimes they commit such as prostitution, drug use, drug dealing and murder. The murder comes in when one wants to monopolize the profits (like Al Capone - $100 Million a year and this was the 20s and 30s) as able to then charge exaggerated rates.
You are only fueling their profits meaning if you support Harper, you support increased violence, gangs, and harms due to the continued war on drugs. We need it to end for us to make any real end to evil type of crime like Murder, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Fraud, Assault and lots of white-collar crime that is rampant around the world. Have we also forgotten sex slavery? Or Stolen Cars? Or Illegal Firearms? How about the millions lost in fraud through the governments and corporations due to poor investing and lack of foresight in terms of this economic crisis.
How would the billions of dollars been better spent on research and understanding the abuse of drugs rather then demonizing all drug use aside from Al Capone's favorite, well not anymore? This only harms as it is not true. How has the pharmaceutical drug use gone totally out of control and yet we understand less about these drugs then we do cocaine, heroin, LSD, cannabis and other plant-type drugs being used by animals as well. The harm is not there yet they search and had to focus on the harms of addiction not the use of the drug.
The idea of the stereotyped cocaine or heroin user is not true in that they are thin, poor, miserable, unemployed, stealing or selling their bodies and more although there are individuals who are cocaine users who also have these traits, it can't be blamed solely on the cocaine use as many other variables are at play and the cocaine may correlate with these types of variables including having an unhealthy brain.
For those that are violent or are in gangs, we need to figure out a way for them not to choose this path and this includes learning more about what makes a brain become violent and how to help ensure that people always feel like they belong and are loved as that is the benefit it gives individuals who choose to be members. Members of gangs have past childhoods filled with violence including not knowing violence isn't the only way to live, they are often rejected or are neglected by their families and thus take up home in gangs and this also provides financial and safety for the person which is not being provided through the parents or other caregivers.
We are not going to help reduce crime and gangs by increasing time spent in jail, this only gives them more time to network as to them this way of life isn't something to reject, they can't, they have no choice. They know nothing else. It is brought to them through family, culture and lack of belonging (regardless of anything) as this is due to the lack of family for some and even culture. We need identity and reason for life to get out of bed everyday and gangs provide this void.
The brain is filling the void of loneliness, neglect, rejection, hate, anger, fear and safety for violence, money, power and the closest thing to what appears to be a family and culture. The brain literally knows that it is far away from what family, love and caring is as sadly, for the gang members who do try to exit, they find out it wasn't about helping but about slave labor for providing products and services to people who want it even if done unethically and using abuse and violence to get it. As even the leaders believe it is a family.
I am not going to say however, these individuals lack values as they don't. It is just that for some reason, their brain misjudges what is acceptable and not and this includes loyalty, dedication, respect and honesty as without these qualities you would never survive in gang - of course, this loyalty, honesty and respect is only between members but regardless, they can keep a secret aside from the few blabber mouths but those members usually don't last long.
We need to research how to help those who are filled with a void or are being rejected from society or their families to heal rather then join organized crime along with spending millions on establishing a regulated market thus putting gangs out of business and freeing up lots of time of police to spend time tracking the bad guys so even us drug users who need protection from the bad guys too can feel safer knowing someone is on the job.
When I think police are out there trying to prevent users from getting drugs, I think my god, when are they going to find out we always find it? Seriously people, we put effort into it as it is fun just like we put effort into getting laid, going skydiving, camping, biking, shoping and more. It is all fun and rewarding to us however, when any of this gets out of wack, like shopping too much, problems occur like spending too much time at the mall or money. How is this different from using drugs people? come on wake up - it isn't about decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana it is about regulating drugs and activities regardless of personal views on the matter.
Of course, this doesn't include legalizing sex slavery as there is harm to people which doesn't occur all the time with drug use or doing activities like gambling but it can! We can't make an activity illegal because it might harm us that means we have to be locked in bed forever...seriously people, we need balance into today's world and this involves science - well good science based on science rather then emotion or money!
thanks everyone enjoy I hope to all you gang members, you start your own business growing coca plants to supply the government for soon to be regulated cocaine distribution. If you sell coca leaves, I will even take that. But no guns, jokes or games and if you do, I will call the police on you. right so grow your own coca or opium (in giant underground dungeons thus changing this into opium tea for sale at a local shop) thus when legalized, making you some good money.
How is this use wrong? We shouldn't be harming those trying to provide a service or drug we desire while at the same time allowing murders to get away with just that murder. Watch out, her comes Molson Canadian kicking Coors ass down the street, oh wait, no that is Al Capone and a distribution rival - can't have that can you? Oh no wait, it is Coors merging with Molson Canadian to better provide the very same drug Al Capone was trying to sell to his customers who were very afraid just as I am when I buy cocaine...or not really but it sounded good.
If gangs didn't provide something important to society which is prohibited services and substances(aside from mom and pop operations for pot but they don't sell cocaine I am thinking), then why are they rich? Why do people continue to support their not only existence but expansion of power around the globe? Why do they fight and kill people to provide something they know will sell at 15xs what it is worth? Not only are the dealers willing to continue having gang violence to provide this service but millions of people will pay for the product at 15xs what it is really worth if not illegal. That is demand and it isn't addiction but rather just people wanting to have a good time.
Most people don't abuse drugs but some will yet it isn't illegal to drink. We can abuse heroin and yet some don't, but it is illegal to use. Why?
It is being shown now through neuroscience that for those who are violent or are considered evil in nature, it is their brain that is leading them to this highly maladaptive and harmful actions. In some cases, yes it may be advantageous to be violent but not evil and even in times that call for violent actions, there are still lines to be crossed that lead individual's into actions considered evil.
Politicians are often called to become tough on crime and this is what Stephen Harper in Canada seems to be delivering the problem is, his action to reduce crime is not likely going to result in any true end to harmful crimes to society. Longer sentences can't reduce a crime that has already occurred so therefore, how do minimum sentences truly reduce the need or drive for humans to committee these acts?
When we consider attempting to reduce gang violence such as paying for the removal of gang tattoos while on the other end increasing the penalties for growing marijuana or dealing drugs which is exactly what these gangs get rich off doing and continue their motivation to be violent especially towards one another.
Gangs serve something very important not only to each member of the gang but also for the supply of prohibited drugs and activities that are in demand and are not always harmful if used but when prohibition comes into play, it changes everything. Do you think of Al Capone as being similar to Molson Canadian? Well they are, they both provide a drug that people want. Why is it for those who bought from Al Capone they were criminals but when they buy it in a liquor store they aren't?
We all want things and it shouldn't be prohibited but rather regulated and controlled so that Molson Canadian's can go on with business ethically while individuals like Al Capone who could kill others were in charge of its distribution. Is it any wonder why people went blind on products bought during the prohibition of alcohol? Who could you call to complain? Today, if we bought alcohol sold to us by Molson Canadian that resulted in blindness, we could certainly sue resulting in likely becoming very rich as any alcohol content issues would be criminal. Alcohol does eventually cause liver problems but this is only with the abuse of the product, not the actual using of the product.
The people who sell products need to ensure they are safe to use as otherwise this would result in liabilities unless otherwise known to that individual such as abuse of alcohol can result in serious harm. When we buy alcohol today, it isn't to get drunk but to have a glass of wine or two for nice relaxation and social function gathering. Yeah, or some people (a lot) drink a bottle and stumble home only to find out they were at home. When Molson Canadian distributes their products, it isn't their intention you use in this fashion just as it isn't a auto dealers belief you are going to go speeding down the wrong side of the highway on purpose.
If we want to prevent crime, we need to distribute drugs or provide activities we may not like in society but trying to prevent it only makes it worse. The example of abstinence only being taught in USA has not reduced pregnancy or STIs, only worsened them. WE can't stop teens from having sex, just as they couldn't stop me either. It wasn't about hearing a message about it being wrong, it didn't matter as I wanted to do it just like everyone else I knew when I was that age and this doesn't change as we get older either. In fact, it likely just goes up well for women it does. Too bad guys, its a lot of fun!!
Anyways, if my having sex with a guy I liked without marriage was illegal even while an adult, it would get very risky and harmful as people would do it anyways. There would be many people in jail, just like there is for drugs. In addition, if people were to be able to have sex with people that they liked without marriage yet it was only legal for the guy to engage in this while women still went to jail, it would be a little weird as only 50% of the transaction is legal. This is the same for drugs. If we decriminalize, then we only are able to buy drugs but only if talking to Al Capone.
So all you people who support ending gang violence, I suggest you look beyond prohibition and think about preventing the crime before it occurs rather than just increasing the financial reward of gang members for the crimes they commit such as prostitution, drug use, drug dealing and murder. The murder comes in when one wants to monopolize the profits (like Al Capone - $100 Million a year and this was the 20s and 30s) as able to then charge exaggerated rates.
You are only fueling their profits meaning if you support Harper, you support increased violence, gangs, and harms due to the continued war on drugs. We need it to end for us to make any real end to evil type of crime like Murder, Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, Fraud, Assault and lots of white-collar crime that is rampant around the world. Have we also forgotten sex slavery? Or Stolen Cars? Or Illegal Firearms? How about the millions lost in fraud through the governments and corporations due to poor investing and lack of foresight in terms of this economic crisis.
How would the billions of dollars been better spent on research and understanding the abuse of drugs rather then demonizing all drug use aside from Al Capone's favorite, well not anymore? This only harms as it is not true. How has the pharmaceutical drug use gone totally out of control and yet we understand less about these drugs then we do cocaine, heroin, LSD, cannabis and other plant-type drugs being used by animals as well. The harm is not there yet they search and had to focus on the harms of addiction not the use of the drug.
The idea of the stereotyped cocaine or heroin user is not true in that they are thin, poor, miserable, unemployed, stealing or selling their bodies and more although there are individuals who are cocaine users who also have these traits, it can't be blamed solely on the cocaine use as many other variables are at play and the cocaine may correlate with these types of variables including having an unhealthy brain.
For those that are violent or are in gangs, we need to figure out a way for them not to choose this path and this includes learning more about what makes a brain become violent and how to help ensure that people always feel like they belong and are loved as that is the benefit it gives individuals who choose to be members. Members of gangs have past childhoods filled with violence including not knowing violence isn't the only way to live, they are often rejected or are neglected by their families and thus take up home in gangs and this also provides financial and safety for the person which is not being provided through the parents or other caregivers.
We are not going to help reduce crime and gangs by increasing time spent in jail, this only gives them more time to network as to them this way of life isn't something to reject, they can't, they have no choice. They know nothing else. It is brought to them through family, culture and lack of belonging (regardless of anything) as this is due to the lack of family for some and even culture. We need identity and reason for life to get out of bed everyday and gangs provide this void.
The brain is filling the void of loneliness, neglect, rejection, hate, anger, fear and safety for violence, money, power and the closest thing to what appears to be a family and culture. The brain literally knows that it is far away from what family, love and caring is as sadly, for the gang members who do try to exit, they find out it wasn't about helping but about slave labor for providing products and services to people who want it even if done unethically and using abuse and violence to get it. As even the leaders believe it is a family.
I am not going to say however, these individuals lack values as they don't. It is just that for some reason, their brain misjudges what is acceptable and not and this includes loyalty, dedication, respect and honesty as without these qualities you would never survive in gang - of course, this loyalty, honesty and respect is only between members but regardless, they can keep a secret aside from the few blabber mouths but those members usually don't last long.
We need to research how to help those who are filled with a void or are being rejected from society or their families to heal rather then join organized crime along with spending millions on establishing a regulated market thus putting gangs out of business and freeing up lots of time of police to spend time tracking the bad guys so even us drug users who need protection from the bad guys too can feel safer knowing someone is on the job.
When I think police are out there trying to prevent users from getting drugs, I think my god, when are they going to find out we always find it? Seriously people, we put effort into it as it is fun just like we put effort into getting laid, going skydiving, camping, biking, shoping and more. It is all fun and rewarding to us however, when any of this gets out of wack, like shopping too much, problems occur like spending too much time at the mall or money. How is this different from using drugs people? come on wake up - it isn't about decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana it is about regulating drugs and activities regardless of personal views on the matter.
Of course, this doesn't include legalizing sex slavery as there is harm to people which doesn't occur all the time with drug use or doing activities like gambling but it can! We can't make an activity illegal because it might harm us that means we have to be locked in bed forever...seriously people, we need balance into today's world and this involves science - well good science based on science rather then emotion or money!
thanks everyone enjoy I hope to all you gang members, you start your own business growing coca plants to supply the government for soon to be regulated cocaine distribution. If you sell coca leaves, I will even take that. But no guns, jokes or games and if you do, I will call the police on you. right so grow your own coca or opium (in giant underground dungeons thus changing this into opium tea for sale at a local shop) thus when legalized, making you some good money.
How is this use wrong? We shouldn't be harming those trying to provide a service or drug we desire while at the same time allowing murders to get away with just that murder. Watch out, her comes Molson Canadian kicking Coors ass down the street, oh wait, no that is Al Capone and a distribution rival - can't have that can you? Oh no wait, it is Coors merging with Molson Canadian to better provide the very same drug Al Capone was trying to sell to his customers who were very afraid just as I am when I buy cocaine...or not really but it sounded good.
If gangs didn't provide something important to society which is prohibited services and substances(aside from mom and pop operations for pot but they don't sell cocaine I am thinking), then why are they rich? Why do people continue to support their not only existence but expansion of power around the globe? Why do they fight and kill people to provide something they know will sell at 15xs what it is worth? Not only are the dealers willing to continue having gang violence to provide this service but millions of people will pay for the product at 15xs what it is really worth if not illegal. That is demand and it isn't addiction but rather just people wanting to have a good time.
Most people don't abuse drugs but some will yet it isn't illegal to drink. We can abuse heroin and yet some don't, but it is illegal to use. Why?
August 20, 2009
Harm of wrong information
So today, I have come across more incorrect information by people trying to sprout their opinions that have no basis in facts. I too may do this from time to time after all we are all human however, if I don't know the facts, I do my best not to discuss the topic but rather listen to the experts ideas on the matter and do more research ensuring that this information is supported by the majority of experts and is not just the ignorant words of a few who like to believe their own crap.
The harm is huge in regards to actions like this. If you don't know the truth, please don't say anything instead listen and learn. It is okay to not know everything, we couldn't possibly ever achieve this, however, we can know a lot about very little meaning we become experts in one topic but don't understand another. Example, I am an expert on drugs, harm reduction and mental health but don't know shit about making mega-structures so I enjoy watching the show on National Geographic. I however, am not going to now think I know everything and try to get a job doing it. Watching this program doesn't make me an expert but it increases my awareness and appreciation for the hard work others do on this.
Please stop spreading false information especially on facebook!!
The harm is huge in regards to actions like this. If you don't know the truth, please don't say anything instead listen and learn. It is okay to not know everything, we couldn't possibly ever achieve this, however, we can know a lot about very little meaning we become experts in one topic but don't understand another. Example, I am an expert on drugs, harm reduction and mental health but don't know shit about making mega-structures so I enjoy watching the show on National Geographic. I however, am not going to now think I know everything and try to get a job doing it. Watching this program doesn't make me an expert but it increases my awareness and appreciation for the hard work others do on this.
Please stop spreading false information especially on facebook!!
August 19, 2009
Brain washing harm
Sadly, in our world there are two types of misinformation spread. The first type is the information that is actually believed to be accurate at the time and is honestly said to attempt to improve things however, false regardless. It is at that time (500 BC or was it 2005 AD) without a doubt for that time to be accurate such as the idea we were at the centre of the universe or that the earth was flat. At that time, we simply didn't have the awareness to know that this couldn't possibly be true. However, as we learned these ideas were obviously impossible to continue to believe (aside from the universe) unless you didn't wonder why we could walk in opposite directions and end up becoming face to face again.
The second type of misinformation is that related to brainwashing. It is information that is known to be false but is still promoted as being true for personal gain. This allows the person who is promoting the false information to take advantage as they know the true knowledge thus having power over those who are receiving the brainwashing information.
The first reason is beyond our control as when we thought the earth was flat, we hadn't seen the rest of it yet, how could we know? When we thought we were the center of the Universe, how could we know we weren't? All we knew were Stars, Suns, and out of this came the gods. This was our way of understanding although incorrect.
Today however, we know know that the earth isn't flat and that we aren't what we thought, as cool as we had hoped (not center of Universe!).
The problem and harm that we are able to prevent is the perpetuation of brain washing and this includes the use of media as a way of fear mongering and helping corporations make money.
those who don't believe in global warming are mistaken greatly and this is due to the very powerful and directed attack at the scientists who are finding all the problems we are causing to poison this planet thus which will eventually not end in the planet going somewhere but rather us and the continued belief in the idea that we are going to be saved by anything is greatly mistaken as just as the millions if not possibly even trillions of types of living creatures that has gone extinct before us. Do you think they thought a "god" was going to save them?
Or domination of TV and other types of information spreading technology that prevents those who know the truth from speaking out and that these people have the credibility to actually really know the truth or at least as close as possible for today as even the things we think today one day may be comparable to our thinking the earth was flat.
We need to begin to have the politics and policies of society be based on science rather than ideology and greed of both money and power. Oppression allows that otherwise we are all equal as animals just wanting to survive and have a life rather than take another individuals life to benefit our own (not kill, slavery) and this includes brain washing mass amounts of people. It isn't about being tough on crime it is about what causes crime in the first place and currently our policies are only making it worse rather than better.
How can we end this? By aiming to spread correct information rather than just what you think. We need to realize that what we think isn't true 99.99999% of the time and as such we have to stop thinking it is, again....fits into the 99.999999999999% for sure!
Let it go people, global warming is happening - we are addicted to drugs, money, oil, sex, video games, and more. and to top it all off, it is all because of corporations harming and abusing others by brain washing in all areas of our lives
firstly we have to stop letting them control the government in this fashion and take it back thus bringing proper regulation and control to the things that are there to help us such as food, clothing and cars - they shouldn't be poisoning us to make others money...why did it get like this? because they lied and they continue to through advertising, media and more...please begin to question is this right, do you need this? are you sure? how can scientists think that but others say no? while these scientists are only media newspersons not anyone who knows anything about anything
seriously people quit being so fucking stupid! Wake up you are really being lied to - don't believe me, go do research by not watching TV - go to a library or something, seriously - or wow there is a thing called wikipedia and it is good!!
The second type of misinformation is that related to brainwashing. It is information that is known to be false but is still promoted as being true for personal gain. This allows the person who is promoting the false information to take advantage as they know the true knowledge thus having power over those who are receiving the brainwashing information.
The first reason is beyond our control as when we thought the earth was flat, we hadn't seen the rest of it yet, how could we know? When we thought we were the center of the Universe, how could we know we weren't? All we knew were Stars, Suns, and out of this came the gods. This was our way of understanding although incorrect.
Today however, we know know that the earth isn't flat and that we aren't what we thought, as cool as we had hoped (not center of Universe!).
The problem and harm that we are able to prevent is the perpetuation of brain washing and this includes the use of media as a way of fear mongering and helping corporations make money.
those who don't believe in global warming are mistaken greatly and this is due to the very powerful and directed attack at the scientists who are finding all the problems we are causing to poison this planet thus which will eventually not end in the planet going somewhere but rather us and the continued belief in the idea that we are going to be saved by anything is greatly mistaken as just as the millions if not possibly even trillions of types of living creatures that has gone extinct before us. Do you think they thought a "god" was going to save them?
Or domination of TV and other types of information spreading technology that prevents those who know the truth from speaking out and that these people have the credibility to actually really know the truth or at least as close as possible for today as even the things we think today one day may be comparable to our thinking the earth was flat.
We need to begin to have the politics and policies of society be based on science rather than ideology and greed of both money and power. Oppression allows that otherwise we are all equal as animals just wanting to survive and have a life rather than take another individuals life to benefit our own (not kill, slavery) and this includes brain washing mass amounts of people. It isn't about being tough on crime it is about what causes crime in the first place and currently our policies are only making it worse rather than better.
How can we end this? By aiming to spread correct information rather than just what you think. We need to realize that what we think isn't true 99.99999% of the time and as such we have to stop thinking it is, again....fits into the 99.999999999999% for sure!
Let it go people, global warming is happening - we are addicted to drugs, money, oil, sex, video games, and more. and to top it all off, it is all because of corporations harming and abusing others by brain washing in all areas of our lives
firstly we have to stop letting them control the government in this fashion and take it back thus bringing proper regulation and control to the things that are there to help us such as food, clothing and cars - they shouldn't be poisoning us to make others money...why did it get like this? because they lied and they continue to through advertising, media and more...please begin to question is this right, do you need this? are you sure? how can scientists think that but others say no? while these scientists are only media newspersons not anyone who knows anything about anything
seriously people quit being so fucking stupid! Wake up you are really being lied to - don't believe me, go do research by not watching TV - go to a library or something, seriously - or wow there is a thing called wikipedia and it is good!!
August 14, 2009
Why prohibition doesn't end and how this is really causing society a great deal of harm
Today, I just watched Dana Larsen talking about being banned from the federal convention for the NDP Party for so-called offering to sponsor students to attend the convention. These student obviously had to be members of the NDP party to attend as delegates that this "sponsoring" to exist. In addition, all the was covered was travel expenses, nothing more. My question is firstly, is this allowed by other members of the party for the convention or was this the "unconventional" and thus frowned upon or viewed as paying people while otherwise everyone are volunteers.
However, that aside, I am not sure its not being used as an excuse regardless even if its not normally done. I do feel this as Dana has done these conventions before, it is the end prohibition booth that is not wanted rather than Dana violating policies.
What prohibition doesn't do in anyway is achieve what it sets out for which is to end drug use. What prohibition does achieve is causing people who are good and moral people harm by being exposed to exposure to unconstitutional searches, propaganda promoting the use of currently not prohibited drugs including alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs thus leading to increases in use and therefore, potential for harm and addiction and finally, this war achieves innocent lives to be lost both to the victims of the actual war but also the indirect victims that are not commonly discussed and these victims are those whom are already ill.
These victims include people who are in environments that are toxic such as trauma, poverty, malnutirtion, discrimination and other nasty environmental influences that lead people to seek out and treat their pain. when I write this I say people more in the sense of natural instinct of the brain which means that not only does physical pain lead to people wanting to medicate this pain but also when those who experience "pain in the brain" if you will, they do the same. Take drugs and if this is immoral than we need to make all painkillers prohibited as well along with cutting services to thousands of people under pain management services.
We in a sense need a "pain in the brain" management program and I put that into quotations as "pain" really is metaphorical for what I mean at a biological level. It is something that can't be controlled but instead of being in our physical body, it is in our brain likely due to "scars" of what the environment is doing to it. This is at a chemical level and no amount of free will can change this as when your brain isn't working correctly, its not the person's fault. It is the problem of whats around them and this includes taking drugs including alcohol and tobacco which are legal psychoactive substances.
What we need from the political parties is the recognition that this is the case and making drugs prohibited is like making a pain management clinic illegal. We are not talking about handing heroin out to people who have had a bad day, we are talking about providing controlled and regulated medications to help the person who has a serious brain disorder to be in less pain as a result of their disorder, disease or disability (whatever you want to call it). The mental health problems that are experienced often cause great pain in those who experience them but not so much in the physical sense as my knee hurts but rather more, everything hurts from bones to skin, toes to top of the head, it hurts. Aches, all the time with no escape just as person experiences after experiencing an injury due to a car accident or something like that. They have an ache all the time either potentially preventing them to walk properly along with the pain of nerve injury and such.
A person with mental health issues have this in the brain. In the case of the knee injury we know the cause but for the brain, it isn't always so cut and dry. The brain is a complex organ that interacts greatly with its environment which shapes it and allows it to either it function properly or it doesn't. When the brain doesn't work properly, neither do we. This likely includes being aware of our actions, knowing what we want or even abusing drugs or not.
Many people take drugs but only a small amount get addicted. Why? Prohibition doesn't matter, what matters is weather the brain wants to either experience something different or fun (those who are healthy use drugs too and this is normally why) or the brain wants to escape the pain that it is feeling due to the hurt "knee". It isn't their fault just as much as the person who was in the car accident, it is just we understand the car accident better or more easily. However, either way, it is true and we need to accept that drug use is going to exist in our society whether it is abuse or addiction and most often, just plain old use without any harm.
Prohibition is prohibiting good treatment for those with drug abuse problems along with harming those who choose to use drugs aside from those that may be legal even though are not less harmful than those prohibited.
We need to get the political parties to drop prohibition and realizing it is bad policy. We are following something new, a way of providing to both drug users while helping drug abusers to actually recover from a serious brain disorder. We need a sensible drug policy which brings me to the point, we need a policy that works and we need political parties to recognize this and without it, what can we do? How can we get prohibition when our own governmental systems are actually out to get us? We need to stop this and stop trying to end drug use and begin to end drug addiction.
If we want to end drug addiction we have to stop prohibition. It is the only choice and not really discussed.
However, that aside, I am not sure its not being used as an excuse regardless even if its not normally done. I do feel this as Dana has done these conventions before, it is the end prohibition booth that is not wanted rather than Dana violating policies.
What prohibition doesn't do in anyway is achieve what it sets out for which is to end drug use. What prohibition does achieve is causing people who are good and moral people harm by being exposed to exposure to unconstitutional searches, propaganda promoting the use of currently not prohibited drugs including alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs thus leading to increases in use and therefore, potential for harm and addiction and finally, this war achieves innocent lives to be lost both to the victims of the actual war but also the indirect victims that are not commonly discussed and these victims are those whom are already ill.
These victims include people who are in environments that are toxic such as trauma, poverty, malnutirtion, discrimination and other nasty environmental influences that lead people to seek out and treat their pain. when I write this I say people more in the sense of natural instinct of the brain which means that not only does physical pain lead to people wanting to medicate this pain but also when those who experience "pain in the brain" if you will, they do the same. Take drugs and if this is immoral than we need to make all painkillers prohibited as well along with cutting services to thousands of people under pain management services.
We in a sense need a "pain in the brain" management program and I put that into quotations as "pain" really is metaphorical for what I mean at a biological level. It is something that can't be controlled but instead of being in our physical body, it is in our brain likely due to "scars" of what the environment is doing to it. This is at a chemical level and no amount of free will can change this as when your brain isn't working correctly, its not the person's fault. It is the problem of whats around them and this includes taking drugs including alcohol and tobacco which are legal psychoactive substances.
What we need from the political parties is the recognition that this is the case and making drugs prohibited is like making a pain management clinic illegal. We are not talking about handing heroin out to people who have had a bad day, we are talking about providing controlled and regulated medications to help the person who has a serious brain disorder to be in less pain as a result of their disorder, disease or disability (whatever you want to call it). The mental health problems that are experienced often cause great pain in those who experience them but not so much in the physical sense as my knee hurts but rather more, everything hurts from bones to skin, toes to top of the head, it hurts. Aches, all the time with no escape just as person experiences after experiencing an injury due to a car accident or something like that. They have an ache all the time either potentially preventing them to walk properly along with the pain of nerve injury and such.
A person with mental health issues have this in the brain. In the case of the knee injury we know the cause but for the brain, it isn't always so cut and dry. The brain is a complex organ that interacts greatly with its environment which shapes it and allows it to either it function properly or it doesn't. When the brain doesn't work properly, neither do we. This likely includes being aware of our actions, knowing what we want or even abusing drugs or not.
Many people take drugs but only a small amount get addicted. Why? Prohibition doesn't matter, what matters is weather the brain wants to either experience something different or fun (those who are healthy use drugs too and this is normally why) or the brain wants to escape the pain that it is feeling due to the hurt "knee". It isn't their fault just as much as the person who was in the car accident, it is just we understand the car accident better or more easily. However, either way, it is true and we need to accept that drug use is going to exist in our society whether it is abuse or addiction and most often, just plain old use without any harm.
Prohibition is prohibiting good treatment for those with drug abuse problems along with harming those who choose to use drugs aside from those that may be legal even though are not less harmful than those prohibited.
We need to get the political parties to drop prohibition and realizing it is bad policy. We are following something new, a way of providing to both drug users while helping drug abusers to actually recover from a serious brain disorder. We need a sensible drug policy which brings me to the point, we need a policy that works and we need political parties to recognize this and without it, what can we do? How can we get prohibition when our own governmental systems are actually out to get us? We need to stop this and stop trying to end drug use and begin to end drug addiction.
If we want to end drug addiction we have to stop prohibition. It is the only choice and not really discussed.
August 11, 2009
the harm from Police
Well, it is official, even though the cops may be there to serve and protect, it is more just each other rather than the citizens they are hired to protect. This is the corruption that fills the police forces around the world (including DEA) that help to end drug use. It is the harm to the citizens of societies everywhere as this isn't a national problem, it is global. We have a global war being fought and all it is doing is making the drug cartels rich while hurting innocent people everywhere.
This inability to properly investigate the problems within the police forces is not acceptable as it isn't either within the political systems. Are there people making sure the tax $ gets to where it should and if it doesn't, who investigates this properly? The police sure don't and neither does the government as they are the ones that took it. We are seriously lacking basic checks on the services that are supposed to be there for us not just those who are either police or politicians who routinely get away with crimes including violent and fraudulent ones costing tax payers millions of dollars.
The harm of police comes from giving them too much power when being hired to serve and protect along with idea they have that drug users are criminals rather than the innocent citizens they really are. These laws that are forcing police to commit unconstitutional acts often leading them to thinking they can do what they like. We need to end the harm to all and this includes the harm that comes from having the police investigate themselves.
Peer-reviewed journals in science is their for a reason, it is to make sure the research and experiments are sound and ethical which is done by an established board that has no affiliation with the research. If they are not passed, the research is not done and the scientist has to go back to the drawing board.
This isn't the case for police however, as it is after the fact. And they get suspended paid leave. No other job in the world is like this as if you fuck up, your fired without pay or reference or anything. Why are they protected while others (regular citizens) have to pay for years when they commit a crime (both are guilty of the crime)?
This is a crime in and of itself which is being supported by the legal system which is appalling. It needs to stop and become honest and be independent all around including investigations of lawyers, judges and even other legal affiliated individuals. Along with an entire department of the government that funds these independent investigations, they have begin a governmental agency that investigates the distribution of the tax dollars in ensuring they go where they should be and not to friends or buddies as the problem is within the police service as well.
These services of course would be provided by non-affiliated members who can prove they do not know the people in any of the said departments within the governmental system. We need to stop the friend system. It is bad for us all as most of use aren't all friends with these people. We are just normal people up against powerful police commissions. That simply isn't fair for a regular guy being able to protect themselves against a power hungry lying police officer which there are many!!
Thanks Colleen
SMART BRAIN INDUSTRIES
This inability to properly investigate the problems within the police forces is not acceptable as it isn't either within the political systems. Are there people making sure the tax $ gets to where it should and if it doesn't, who investigates this properly? The police sure don't and neither does the government as they are the ones that took it. We are seriously lacking basic checks on the services that are supposed to be there for us not just those who are either police or politicians who routinely get away with crimes including violent and fraudulent ones costing tax payers millions of dollars.
The harm of police comes from giving them too much power when being hired to serve and protect along with idea they have that drug users are criminals rather than the innocent citizens they really are. These laws that are forcing police to commit unconstitutional acts often leading them to thinking they can do what they like. We need to end the harm to all and this includes the harm that comes from having the police investigate themselves.
Peer-reviewed journals in science is their for a reason, it is to make sure the research and experiments are sound and ethical which is done by an established board that has no affiliation with the research. If they are not passed, the research is not done and the scientist has to go back to the drawing board.
This isn't the case for police however, as it is after the fact. And they get suspended paid leave. No other job in the world is like this as if you fuck up, your fired without pay or reference or anything. Why are they protected while others (regular citizens) have to pay for years when they commit a crime (both are guilty of the crime)?
This is a crime in and of itself which is being supported by the legal system which is appalling. It needs to stop and become honest and be independent all around including investigations of lawyers, judges and even other legal affiliated individuals. Along with an entire department of the government that funds these independent investigations, they have begin a governmental agency that investigates the distribution of the tax dollars in ensuring they go where they should be and not to friends or buddies as the problem is within the police service as well.
These services of course would be provided by non-affiliated members who can prove they do not know the people in any of the said departments within the governmental system. We need to stop the friend system. It is bad for us all as most of use aren't all friends with these people. We are just normal people up against powerful police commissions. That simply isn't fair for a regular guy being able to protect themselves against a power hungry lying police officer which there are many!!
Thanks Colleen
SMART BRAIN INDUSTRIES
August 10, 2009
The use of drugs in society isn't our problem!
Drugs are being scapegoated for the problems in society for years. Sadly, this isn't the problem and as a result our problems continue. Just having the presence of drugs being used in society isn't problematic within itself as use does not harm the user or others. In fact, this use may be beneficial in many ways. In the past society claims that the very use in itself is immoral and a sign of weakness within the person as being "unable" to manage life. The problem with this argument is that lots of very strong people who are brilliant and lead amazingly productive and wonderful lives use drugs. The list is endless but some include John Hopkins (injected heroin daily), Carl Sagan and Stephen King.
What is problematic is when those with past trauma issues or other mental health problems use drugs. Often these people are more prone to the negative effects of these drugs, have a higher desire to use again due to the especially good feelings (aka escape from their problems) as well as they don't learn as well as individuals without these problems. It of course is not their fault but rather the dysfunction of their brain due to damage either by trauma (hit on the head, abuse, neglect), genetic or potentially a current toxic environment such as exposure to chemicals, stress and/or lack of nutrition/exercise.
The attempt at eradicating drugs is not only harming those who end up abusing or addicted to them (including alcohol, tobacco and caffeine) but also those who are simply using the drugs as they are being hunted daily by police even though they are really hurting no person. In addition, when we are simply putting efforts into preventing individuals from using the drugs we are neglecting to acknowledge the real reason why we use drugs and that is for many reasons including beneficial ones.
We all use drugs and this is a fact and it can't be denied. To attempt to prevent individuals from using some but not others that are potentially harmful is not pragmatic and realistic. It is leading to harmful effects as not only are those who use drugs being harmed (some countries kill people for drugs) but it is harming those who don't use drugs as when we are attempting to prevent addiction simply by trying to stop people from having access to the substance, we are not dealing with the real underlying issue of why they are trying to get the drug.
When those with past trauma and other mental health issues are prevented access to psychoactive substances while still having their problems remain unresolved, they will revert to altering their brain or what we call consciousness to escape the pain they are feeling due to their brain disorder. It has been recorded in many places around the world that individuals who are experiencing a great deal of dislocation,trauma, or neglect they will revert to using dangerous methods of altering their brain chemistry and this includes using inhalants such as gasoline or nail polish remover. Some will drink methanol instead of ethanol which is toxic but does give the same type of psychoactive effect as what we drink normally. Methanol is found in mouthwash and hand sanitizer.
We can never get rid of drug us however, we can help these people who have past trauma issues and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders all of which are associated with high rates of drug use. This in itself should decrease drug abuse as the reason for abusing the drug will go away.
People abuse drugs when they are under stress they can't feel they can manage such as a loss (job/passion, loved one, security), neglected (isolated, lack of peer connections or family), abused (sexual, assault, emotional) and deficiency (nutrition, water, exercise). This is because these things hurt they brain, if you want to think about it in the physical sense, it scars it and makes it simply not work as well and as such, the brain seeks out assistance. It is the natural thing for it to do, not a weak thing as sometimes when we are healthy and happy, these same tools can be used for remarkable things.
When the brain is healthy, it can use these tools in a controlled and healthy fashion. Thus, crime, apathy, all of that nonsense that is assocaited with drug use is actually not an issue for these individuals. They are able to remain in control and able to have a good life that is productive in how they see fit and that is good for society. For those individuals however that have an unhealthy brain due to it being scarred by the past like having no legs for some or arms or eyes, it makes these things very difficult to obtain as the brain is in pain and it literally hurts which is something those with healthy brains can not know how it feels as it is not like having a bad day or even losing a person that they loved. It is likely more like being at war but inside the brain.
I would like to encourage people to think of us as brains as that is all we are and we are really not in control even with the conscious thoughts we have. We can't change what the environment does to our brain through abuse, neglect, stress or what genes we are born with that may predisposed us to not being able to handle stress, neglect, abuse or deficiencies as well but what we can do is change how we help those who do struggle. Rather than labels such as lazy or stupid or criminals, we need to think about ways to help these people not want to abuse drugs in the first place rather than trying to prevent them access.
In terms of how to handle those who are abusing or addicted, we need to provide a respectful and empowering distribution system that still provides the individual with the drug of choice in known doses and safer administration routes (swallow rather than smoke or inject) as regardless, these people will be at different places in their treatments for their brain disorders and as such to help on their path to recovery, drug use can be done even by those whom are addicted or abusing by helping them use in ways that does less harm to them as well as others.
Illicit drugs are extremely expensive and having to pay for these if abusing or addicted is very expensive and this cost society not just the individual.
It is not going to help use to try to prevent those who have a drive to use from access especially since there is always a way of altering consciousness and they do include much more harmful ways then the currently illicit psychoactive substances.
It has been disappointing the coverage of the media on this topic as it is still sprouting the same crap it was decades ago when science knows this not to be true. In fact, it is really irrelevant as to the harms of the drug as the currently legal ones are much more harmful than the illicit and this includes cocaine and heroin. Yes, alcohol is worse. Nicotine itself likely isn't too harmful but the current distribution routes are such as through our chemical laden cigarettes that include formaldehyde and hundreds more. Why are we arguing about the harm of cannabis when it is nothing in comparison to the current cigarette products available?
The argument really should be that we have control over our autonomy and this includes consciousness. The choice to use cannabis, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, amphetamines, and the hallucinogens to alter my consciousness is my choice and as long as this choice is conscientious it is not in the true sense of what the law should define be wrong and thus it should not be illegal to either buy or sell.
The argument of decriminalization is still not allowing those who choose to use the drug to do so in a safe fashion as what they are buying still exists on the black market and as such, this is causing great problems as it currently does. In other words, it is changing nothing. In addition, I heard that in Portugal that they are forcing those given a ticket for possession into treatment. This is not confirmed, (if you know for sure, please let me know) but if this is true, this is very bad and again, does nothing to address the fact that drug use in itself is not wrong however, abusing and addiction leads to harm but still in itself is not immoral but rather a sign of illness.
Drug use is normal while drug abuse and addiction is the exception. Only about 5-15% will abuse or become serious addicted to any drug and it doesn't matter which one except tobacco is shown to be about 35% addiction likely due to pharmacological reasons. The other 85% of users shouldn't be attacked as they are being today. This is causing an extremely harmful allocation of funds in terms of governmental spending.
To paint a picture of a world with a legal drug market. This market would of course be regulated which means that to produce, sell and buy you need to qualify for permits to do so meaning that those who make the product, distribute it and purchase it who can do this as a restaurant may need permits for operation in terms of health regulations. This could be called the Non-Medical Psychoactive Drug Regulation Department.
It would include individuals that are trained and knowledgeable in psychoactive drug use and this doesn't necessarily mean the pharmaceutical drugs. It would be ideal if the government hired people to control the distribution based on the amount of harm the drug may pose when used. This means that those drugs with potential for more harm require individuals with more training and knowledge and also higher controls on distribution which also means not everyone may be able to just walk into a store and buy it if over a certain age (as alcohol is currently). For the drugs that have potential for more harm, licenses may be required such as a "drivers license". These drugs can result in harm just as driving may and as such, it isn't a right but rather a privilege.
For psychoactive drugs that are currently illegal, many have potentially excellent medical uses and as such a department needs to be established that distributes separately from the recreational department called the Medical Psychoactive Drug Regulation Department. This includes currently what would be called prescription medications. As some overlap obviously as is currently the case, the two departments are linked but have different missions. It is important to recognize the seperation within the regulated market as it could be very helpful for scientific purposes in terms of maintaining the ability to keep track of why and how people are using drugs as it is the way the drug is used that makes the difference as well, if the person has either physical or brain issues, it might could help how we study people with specific conditions using particular medications (including of course the currently illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and heroin).
Regulated market including how to help those best when they begin to abuse or show signs of potential addiction issues is best for society and not preventing the simple sue of drugs as that is a basic constitution issues. WE have the right not only to our consciousness but also our medicines. Many currently illegal drugs provide medical benefit. Please help end the drug war as it is nothing more than a war on people!!!
What is problematic is when those with past trauma issues or other mental health problems use drugs. Often these people are more prone to the negative effects of these drugs, have a higher desire to use again due to the especially good feelings (aka escape from their problems) as well as they don't learn as well as individuals without these problems. It of course is not their fault but rather the dysfunction of their brain due to damage either by trauma (hit on the head, abuse, neglect), genetic or potentially a current toxic environment such as exposure to chemicals, stress and/or lack of nutrition/exercise.
The attempt at eradicating drugs is not only harming those who end up abusing or addicted to them (including alcohol, tobacco and caffeine) but also those who are simply using the drugs as they are being hunted daily by police even though they are really hurting no person. In addition, when we are simply putting efforts into preventing individuals from using the drugs we are neglecting to acknowledge the real reason why we use drugs and that is for many reasons including beneficial ones.
We all use drugs and this is a fact and it can't be denied. To attempt to prevent individuals from using some but not others that are potentially harmful is not pragmatic and realistic. It is leading to harmful effects as not only are those who use drugs being harmed (some countries kill people for drugs) but it is harming those who don't use drugs as when we are attempting to prevent addiction simply by trying to stop people from having access to the substance, we are not dealing with the real underlying issue of why they are trying to get the drug.
When those with past trauma and other mental health issues are prevented access to psychoactive substances while still having their problems remain unresolved, they will revert to altering their brain or what we call consciousness to escape the pain they are feeling due to their brain disorder. It has been recorded in many places around the world that individuals who are experiencing a great deal of dislocation,trauma, or neglect they will revert to using dangerous methods of altering their brain chemistry and this includes using inhalants such as gasoline or nail polish remover. Some will drink methanol instead of ethanol which is toxic but does give the same type of psychoactive effect as what we drink normally. Methanol is found in mouthwash and hand sanitizer.
We can never get rid of drug us however, we can help these people who have past trauma issues and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and personality disorders all of which are associated with high rates of drug use. This in itself should decrease drug abuse as the reason for abusing the drug will go away.
People abuse drugs when they are under stress they can't feel they can manage such as a loss (job/passion, loved one, security), neglected (isolated, lack of peer connections or family), abused (sexual, assault, emotional) and deficiency (nutrition, water, exercise). This is because these things hurt they brain, if you want to think about it in the physical sense, it scars it and makes it simply not work as well and as such, the brain seeks out assistance. It is the natural thing for it to do, not a weak thing as sometimes when we are healthy and happy, these same tools can be used for remarkable things.
When the brain is healthy, it can use these tools in a controlled and healthy fashion. Thus, crime, apathy, all of that nonsense that is assocaited with drug use is actually not an issue for these individuals. They are able to remain in control and able to have a good life that is productive in how they see fit and that is good for society. For those individuals however that have an unhealthy brain due to it being scarred by the past like having no legs for some or arms or eyes, it makes these things very difficult to obtain as the brain is in pain and it literally hurts which is something those with healthy brains can not know how it feels as it is not like having a bad day or even losing a person that they loved. It is likely more like being at war but inside the brain.
I would like to encourage people to think of us as brains as that is all we are and we are really not in control even with the conscious thoughts we have. We can't change what the environment does to our brain through abuse, neglect, stress or what genes we are born with that may predisposed us to not being able to handle stress, neglect, abuse or deficiencies as well but what we can do is change how we help those who do struggle. Rather than labels such as lazy or stupid or criminals, we need to think about ways to help these people not want to abuse drugs in the first place rather than trying to prevent them access.
In terms of how to handle those who are abusing or addicted, we need to provide a respectful and empowering distribution system that still provides the individual with the drug of choice in known doses and safer administration routes (swallow rather than smoke or inject) as regardless, these people will be at different places in their treatments for their brain disorders and as such to help on their path to recovery, drug use can be done even by those whom are addicted or abusing by helping them use in ways that does less harm to them as well as others.
Illicit drugs are extremely expensive and having to pay for these if abusing or addicted is very expensive and this cost society not just the individual.
It is not going to help use to try to prevent those who have a drive to use from access especially since there is always a way of altering consciousness and they do include much more harmful ways then the currently illicit psychoactive substances.
It has been disappointing the coverage of the media on this topic as it is still sprouting the same crap it was decades ago when science knows this not to be true. In fact, it is really irrelevant as to the harms of the drug as the currently legal ones are much more harmful than the illicit and this includes cocaine and heroin. Yes, alcohol is worse. Nicotine itself likely isn't too harmful but the current distribution routes are such as through our chemical laden cigarettes that include formaldehyde and hundreds more. Why are we arguing about the harm of cannabis when it is nothing in comparison to the current cigarette products available?
The argument really should be that we have control over our autonomy and this includes consciousness. The choice to use cannabis, cocaine, heroin, MDMA, amphetamines, and the hallucinogens to alter my consciousness is my choice and as long as this choice is conscientious it is not in the true sense of what the law should define be wrong and thus it should not be illegal to either buy or sell.
The argument of decriminalization is still not allowing those who choose to use the drug to do so in a safe fashion as what they are buying still exists on the black market and as such, this is causing great problems as it currently does. In other words, it is changing nothing. In addition, I heard that in Portugal that they are forcing those given a ticket for possession into treatment. This is not confirmed, (if you know for sure, please let me know) but if this is true, this is very bad and again, does nothing to address the fact that drug use in itself is not wrong however, abusing and addiction leads to harm but still in itself is not immoral but rather a sign of illness.
Drug use is normal while drug abuse and addiction is the exception. Only about 5-15% will abuse or become serious addicted to any drug and it doesn't matter which one except tobacco is shown to be about 35% addiction likely due to pharmacological reasons. The other 85% of users shouldn't be attacked as they are being today. This is causing an extremely harmful allocation of funds in terms of governmental spending.
To paint a picture of a world with a legal drug market. This market would of course be regulated which means that to produce, sell and buy you need to qualify for permits to do so meaning that those who make the product, distribute it and purchase it who can do this as a restaurant may need permits for operation in terms of health regulations. This could be called the Non-Medical Psychoactive Drug Regulation Department.
It would include individuals that are trained and knowledgeable in psychoactive drug use and this doesn't necessarily mean the pharmaceutical drugs. It would be ideal if the government hired people to control the distribution based on the amount of harm the drug may pose when used. This means that those drugs with potential for more harm require individuals with more training and knowledge and also higher controls on distribution which also means not everyone may be able to just walk into a store and buy it if over a certain age (as alcohol is currently). For the drugs that have potential for more harm, licenses may be required such as a "drivers license". These drugs can result in harm just as driving may and as such, it isn't a right but rather a privilege.
For psychoactive drugs that are currently illegal, many have potentially excellent medical uses and as such a department needs to be established that distributes separately from the recreational department called the Medical Psychoactive Drug Regulation Department. This includes currently what would be called prescription medications. As some overlap obviously as is currently the case, the two departments are linked but have different missions. It is important to recognize the seperation within the regulated market as it could be very helpful for scientific purposes in terms of maintaining the ability to keep track of why and how people are using drugs as it is the way the drug is used that makes the difference as well, if the person has either physical or brain issues, it might could help how we study people with specific conditions using particular medications (including of course the currently illegal drugs including heroin, cocaine and heroin).
Regulated market including how to help those best when they begin to abuse or show signs of potential addiction issues is best for society and not preventing the simple sue of drugs as that is a basic constitution issues. WE have the right not only to our consciousness but also our medicines. Many currently illegal drugs provide medical benefit. Please help end the drug war as it is nothing more than a war on people!!!
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