Why do they think people who do drugs are bad people?

[bostonterrier]

You don't know what they are going through to judge them, and yes I have done drugs before, both prescribed and non prescribed drugs,even crack and I didn't hurt anybody, if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

[frenchbird]

You don't know what they are going through to judge them, and yes I have done drugs before, both prescribed and non prescribed drugs,even crack and I didn't hurt anybody, if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

 

Stigma from society/the media mostly.

 

Drugs aren't inherently good or bad, its people misusing them that gives them the rep (because there are no official well-known guidelines on use, and so they learn from potentially irresponsible/misinformed people, or worse dont learn at all prior to using). When abused, certain drugs can have hideous consequences, but the argument for alcohol being legal and effectively/readily abusable compared to certain drugs to me personally is ridiculous. The number of severe fights ending in blood/ambulances i have seen break out because people are drunk on a saturday night in a city is far far superior to anything i've seen as a result of MDMA or cannabis use. And psychosis/schitzophrenia/death as a result of alcoholism isn't that unheard of.

 

Drugs can, when misused without guidelines, be terrible for people to have in their possession, however they may also be used for therapeutic/self-growth purposes in the right environment with the correct guidance.

[Art_Critic]

if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

 

That's the rub, it isn't only themselves they hurt, someone in my family close to me lost their mother and step dad when she was 6 to someone wasted on drugs, they were both decapitated in a car wreck and the drug user got an involuntary murder charge and spent many years in jail.

 

Maybe it this very reason that people aren't accepting of drug abuse and won't put up with the people who do drugs.

[GoreSP]

It's your business to do drugs and it's my business to decide not to have people who do drugs around.

[Kizza]

Why do they think people who do drugs are bad people?

 

 

Because, primarily bad things happen when people do drugs.

 

 

They are not bad people, so to speak, but drugs do have the capacity 9 times out of 10 to afflict the good senses of good people.

[TaraMaiden]

You don't know what they are going through to judge them, and yes I have done drugs before, both prescribed and non prescribed drugs,even crack and I didn't hurt anybody, if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

 

Buddhism:

The 5th precept.

 

Remember that?

 

You said you're the one following Buddhism.

If that is the case, you know the answer to your question.

Or do you just 'cherry-pick' the bits you are drawn to and leave the other bits alone?

[regine_phalange]

No, I don't think they are bad. Usually they are sensitive, have been through hard times, and they are easily influenced by others. I see them as sick, weak people.

 

I think most of them don't like their addiction but it's hard to do something about it. Once, a user asked me for money outside the grocery store because he wanted "to buy something to eat". I offered him bread but he said no, thank you, and seemed quite ashamed. I have also seen documentaries with junkies who claim "don't start drugs, ever". Sometimes I had errands at the side of the city thats full of people who writhe on the ground, in pain, or struggle to put a needle on their arm. I hate drugs.

[mea_M]

I'd never say a person who is using a drug is a bad person. I might however say, perhaps the person needs to really think about what drugs can do to themselves and for that matter, the people who love them. One thing about any type of addiction is it's totally up the the person addicted to stop it. No one can do that for them. It's an internal choice.

 

Mea

[what_a_blonde]

You don't know what they are going through to judge them, and yes I have done drugs before, both prescribed and non prescribed drugs,even crack and I didn't hurt anybody, if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

 

I'd say they aren't necessarily a BAD person. However, many times they don't realize the way they ARE hurting those around them. Family, friends, others don't like seeing the person hurting themselves. Many times they've likely tried to help the person, but the person has not responded to it or has outright told them to "**** off" and that they don't need the help. Then it causes upset and distance.

 

I've been through MANY bad times in my life... however I've chosen not to resort to drugs. I will admit that sadly, during a very rough time I developed an eating disorder. It went on for about a month and when I realized that the ED was only making my situation worse, not better, by effecting my mental health and OVERALL health.... I went and found myself help.

 

That's where I think a lot of the bad stigma comes from too... people try to help the person, however you can't help someone if they can't help themselves. If they don't see the big picture of how its REALLY effecting themselves and everyone/thing around them... there's almost no point.

 

Just my $.02.

[notthathard]

I know people who when I refer to drugs they think of illicit drugs and they think they are bad. When I mention to them that alcohol is a drug they claim it's different.

 

Alcohol is no different to any other illicit drug it's just the fact that society chose it as a preferred substance for use (or they lost control of prohibition).

In fact I believe that in some cases alcohol is more dangerous or worse than some other drugs.

 

Drugs are not bad, rather it's the people who abuse it that makes it and those look bad.

 

I am against illegal uses of heroin/meth/ice though, it's far to addictive unless the person can control the addiction.

[Art_Critic]

Drugs are not bad, rather it's the people who abuse it that makes it and those look bad.

 

It's always important to separate the drug from the person, the alcohol user or drug user isn't what is bad, it is the drug..

 

When a person is mired in addiction it is the drug causing the behavior that people learn to hate, the wonderful loving person is still in there and once the drug is removed that person will come back.

[notthathard]

It's always important to separate the drug from the person, the alcohol user or drug user isn't what is bad, it is the drug..

 

When a person is mired in addiction it is the drug causing the behavior that people learn to hate, the wonderful loving person is still in there and once the drug is removed that person will come back.

 

I see what you're saying, but I disagree.

 

I think in many cases the drug brings out the persons behaviors/personality.

If the person has a slight addictive personality it will cause the person to become addicted. If the person doesn't they will be able to control the addiction and push it away when they want.

 

My friends and I have taken almost every street drug available in the past except for heroin.

My closest friend has a rather strong addictive personality, even when he is not on drugs or away from them he still has an addictive personality.

I have another friend who is rather aggressive even when straight, when on alcohol or drugs this is amplified.

Another friend is very emotional when straight, when she is on alcohol or drugs she becomes more emotional.

 

Sure it does amplify this behaviors, but esentially they are there anyway and drugs exist and are readily available whether we like it or not.

[melell]

I think there needs to be some distinctions made with this. I am not sure what they would be though.

 

IMO people view this from a 'harm perspective'. So if it causes harm to others, or to the individual, then it is considered bad. If a person is causing harm, or risking causing harm then that person is associated with badness.

 

I do think that people who automatically jump to the conclusion that users are bad people are simply close minded. For me users are reckless with themselves, and sometimes with others- but not 'bad'.

[bostonterrier]

Yes,but you forget to mention that alcohol causes the majority of car crashes, and alcohol is legalized, but I was strong enough to quit drugs without the help of anyone,but I still take xanax prescribed by a doctor.

 

That's the rub, it isn't only themselves they hurt, someone in my family close to me lost their mother and step dad when she was 6 to someone wasted on drugs, they were both decapitated in a car wreck and the drug user got an involuntary murder charge and spent many years in jail.

 

Maybe it this very reason that people aren't accepting of drug abuse and won't put up with the people who do drugs.

[soccerrprp]

Well, b/c some users and all dealers are just BAD people. It's what and how they affect others around them that makes them bad. I've never heard of a drug user being a positive influence on someone's life.

 

If you want to use, use it, but make certain you are NEVER in the position to harm someone else while under the influence.

[bostonterrier]

Well, b/c some users and all dealers are just BAD people. It's what and how they affect others around them that makes them bad. I've never heard of a drug user being a positive influence on someone's life.

 

If you want to use, use it, but make certain you are NEVER in the position to harm someone else while under the influence.

 

No my friend, thank you, I'm done with drugs, all I need is my xanax nothing more:)

[Elias33]

You don't know what they are going through to judge them, and yes I have done drugs before, both prescribed and non prescribed drugs,even crack and I didn't hurt anybody, if I choose to hurt myself it's my business only.

 

So they can justify throwing them in jail.

[ThatMan]

Yes,but you forget to mention that alcohol causes the majority of car crashes, and alcohol is legalized, but I was strong enough to quit drugs without the help of anyone,but I still take xanax prescribed by a doctor.

Please explain why you think this is relevant. Why would you even say that?

 

This is not the healthy mentality of someone who has moved on and conquered addiction. Many people do struggle with alcoholism and the law has nothing to do with it. How long have you been without crack? Are there any withdrawal symptoms? Please reach out and choose to speak about this with anyone. There's local priests, rabbis, doctors, friends, support groups, nurses, other people who have dealt with addiction, family members. You do not have to do this alone. Addiction is a medical concern which cannot be dealt with by sheer willpower alone.

 

When a person has truly conquered an addiction, they begin to recognize that it wasn't the letter of the law that determines whether or not there is a problem. Addicts will frequently say;

But this is legal.

I do not have a problem.

I'm strong enough to handle it.

I didn't hurt anybody.

 

The reality is that everybody suffers when in the presence of a loved one who struggles with addiction. It does not make an addict somehow a bad or evil person. But everybody involved in an addicts life must remove themselves from the situation in order to exist. Anybody who does not typically has issues with codependency. Every twelve-step program in the world would strongly advise anyone who loves an addict to walk away, because unless they wear a life-vest, the addict will drag them down with themselves, drowning anyone they could cling into.

 

Saying that addiction is your own business is complete garbage. What you've said makes me strongly doubt that everything in your past has been dealt with and I hope that you continue to deal with it. You are by no means alone in this. There are other people who have had similar experiences who care. Medical concerns require professional intervention and not willpower.

Edited February 20, 2014 by ThatMan
phone

[soccerrprp]

Maybe it's a generational thing, but then most people of my age don't have a problem with drugs.

 

A miserably irresponsible generation, if true.

 

 

and harming yourself, well what about smoking, eating too much fatty foods and getting diabetes, heart disease, etc. how can these not be about self-harm?

 

It's a free world though, people will do as they do.

 

As drugs go, these examples take time and indicative of a lifestyle that does not directly harm others. If one wants to be foolish enough to take drugs, just make certain it doesn't affect anyone else. If you do, then your freedom should be taken away to protect the rest of us.

[writergal]

Abusing prescription drugs, using illegal narcotics, or drinking alcohol in excess to cope with life's problems is a real unhealthy response to stress. People who resort to abusing drugs and alcohol already have poor coping skills. If they had healthy coping skills, they'd never fall prey to drugs or alcohol as a coping tool.

 

A drug addiction requires lying. You lie to get the drug, to use it, to hide it's side effects on you from people around you, and the drug addict lies to him/herself so much so that he/she becomes trapped in their own addiction due to self-loathing and the desire to escape from the harsh reality of the circumstances he/she's created.

 

Look at the late actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman: he was beloved by his fellow actors and actresses, his family and friends. Was he a horrible person because he was a heroin addict?

 

I went to college with a gal who did hard drugs like cocaine and LSD on a regular basis with her husband. She got a teaching license, then went on to get her PhD in education and is now a college professor. Oh, and she's still a raging drug addict too - a white collar drug addict who's never been arrested as far as I know. Do I think she's evil? No, but I don't respect her at all for choosing drugs for over 20 years to cope with her problems (mostly marriage related).

 

I also think that drugs can cause people to do evil things, because some people lack a conscience and have no empathy for how their behavior impacts others. Long term use of the drug Meth causes psychosis, depression, severe depression, heart attacks, strokes, tooth decay, apathy, sexual aggression, hyper sexuality, hallucinations and physically violent behavior.

 

I also despise the pharmaceutical industry and think Big Pharma is evil incarnate because it's agenda is to create insured drug addicts. Go online and watch countless video clips that detail Big Pharma's evil agendas related to drugs like Oxycontin and antidepressants. I think the whole field of psychiatry is a sham (for another thread) and that drug rehab programs fail most of the time to help drug addicts abstain from life-long drug use. Going back to Hoffman, he was drug-free for 23 years, but then went to rehab for 10 days, was given a prescription of drugs that got him hooked on heroin again and shortly after that, he was found dead by a friend with a heroin needle in his arm.

 

I think Big Pharma's drug manufacturers and those pushing the drugs (general doctor practitioners who push drug samples in their offices get a $ bonus, psychiatrists who claim your brain needs a drug) are evil by association. I think drug users are victims of themselves for having poor coping skills but also are victims of society who allows drug manufacturers to destroy people's lives through their profit for drug agendas.

Edited February 20, 2014 by writergal

[bostonterrier]

People often take drugs for fun, not because they lack coping skills.

Well, not me I've always been a shy person, drugs made me socialize more.

[writergal]

People often take drugs for fun, not because they lack coping skills.

 

Most people take drugs to escape from their problems. People don't take drugs for fun. That's just b.s. "Escape" is the main goal for people who do drugs, even if its pot, LSD or drinking a lot of beer.

[writergal]

lol.. wow, you're very receptive to the opinions of others. People take drugs in my experience, even legal ones like alcohol, for fun. It's not about "escape" in my experience but then the opinion regulator has spoken so..lol..

 

I'm just opinionated. That's all. I'm talking about the hardcore narcotics and the way people abuse their prescription drugs. I'm not including college kids who go to keg parties, although going to get drunk with your friends is a form of escape, so in that sense, I'm kinda right. Fun + escape are two in the same because both center around being entertained, and enjoyment. And as we all know, too much fun (too much escape) can have its consequences: hangover, addiction, overdose, alcohol poisoning, etc.

[writergal]

Well why do people think that it's fun to take drugs to risk their lives and the lives of those around them? What about parents who take drugs around their kids? Or high school or college students who do drugs because of peer pressure? Just recently, a U.S. fraternity dared one of its new members to guzzle a bottle of soy sauce. Soy sauce isn't a drug, but the kid did it and ended up in a 3 day coma, nearly dying. Why'd he do it? Because he wanted to be accepted because he didn't think soy sauce would have the potential to kill him. Many uni kids think the same way about gateway drugs. My friend the PhD coke head is STILL in denial that she's a drug addict because she'd rather snort her marriage problems away than go to a marriage counselor with her husband (also a coke head).

 

I get that taking drugs is considered "cool" and "trendy" and "fun" for rock musicians and writers. So many of them do drugs it's become a cliche in the music industry and in publishing circles. Doesn't change the fact that drugs create a cycle of addiction for the drug user, and can alter the drug user's behavior and mindset to the point where it lands them behind bars with a police record, dead like the actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman, or addicted-until-it-kills-you like my PhD friend and her husband.

 

Again, I think anyone who chooses to take a drug - whether its for a fun escape or as a coping tool for life stress - that person isn't using their noggin. There's always a negative consequence when you take a drug. Always.

[ltjg45]

Do I think smokers are bad people?

 

No, not at all. If that was the case, I wouldn't be friends with a smoker, who happens to be one of the only two friends I have.

 

However, I won't date a smoker. It is clear that we are not compatible as I don't see any positive benefits to being a smoker.