hurlingdub
County: Dublin
Posts: 2593

807923 jimbo, opium is highly addictive and almost destroyed China when the Brits fought a war to force them to buy it from them! Ah, the Brits, don't you just love em :-)


I've smoked it in Holland... not a bother! It's far cleaner than heroin... which I wouldnt never go near but again regarding Opium it's all down to the individual.

Some people are just born to be addicts...

I can see your point about not legalising it though... there are drugs better suited to legalisation . Point taken...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 02/11/2010 15:19:43    807948

hurlingdub

I'm not talking about heroin or even opium. My point is about alcohol. In Ireland a certain dependency on alcohol is socially acceptable that in other countries it is not. To be considered an alcoholic in this country you really have to go the extra mile.

There is also a problem of putting all illegal drugs in the same bracket. They are not all the same.

There are certain illegal drugs that are no worse than alcohol and have been used by peoples throughout the world from the beginning also.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13796 - 02/11/2010 15:40:59    807960

I often wondered which is better...Alcohol....or Heroin?

I guess there is only one way to find out...

FIGHT!!!!!!!!!

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12332 - 02/11/2010 16:21:12    808006

Breffni39
County: Cavan
Posts: 3919

808006 I often wondered which is better...Alcohol....or Heroin?

I guess there is only one way to find out...

FIGHT!!!!!!!!!
__________________________________________

In the wrong hands they are as deadly as each other... problem is ... Alcohol is far more accessible.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 02/11/2010 16:29:47    808016

A lot of people (particularly liveline crusaders) are into scaremongering when it comes to relatively harmless drugs like cannabis, alcohol and shrooms and I'm not sure why. Maybe its a fear of losing control (particularly for governments), maybe its because your old and thats what the priest told you in the summer 1953 (a random date, don't look it up) or its because your a bigoted, unemployed, waster who's against everything simply because your bored and I think they represent the majority of naysayers.

Anyway a few poster like MesAmis, jimbo are spot on, on this one and I'm only speaking for myself here when I say that I think they should legalize all soft drugs because lets be honest, most of us here would have absolutely no problem going out today, right now if you wanted and getting basically any drug you feel like, so the system has more than failed.

Oh and finally just on that 'thing' about alcohol being worse than heroin......well I'd honest say that there is more truth in the link below than in any of that article:

http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 02/11/2010 16:43:23    808038

I personally believe alcohol is as every bit as lethal as other so called hard drugs.Every weekend across this country,in large towns and small villages,people are getting drunk out of their minds.The trouble that follows such over indulgence is immeasurable in terms of the cost to the individuals,their immediate families and to society in general.The violence between young men and women in the bars and on the streets.The violence in the home towards spouses and children.The innocent person going about their business being attacked by angry drunk people "mad of their heads" on drink.The drunk drivers who cause so much tragedy because they are not fit to walk never mind drive.
Heroin and other drugs such as cocaine are very destructive.Marijuana is less destructive,its clear to see the difference if you have ever been around people using it.Its worth saying though that theres no great benefit to be gained by being continually stoned either.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 02/11/2010 17:31:23    808118

seanie_boy.
sensible post seanie , i agree with you 120per cent .

ta32 (Tyrone) - Posts: 4907 - 02/11/2010 17:41:12    808138

Alcohol is NOT worse than herion. ive yet to see a person steamed up on guinness think he is superman and jump off a roof.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11563 - 02/11/2010 17:47:16    808150

Alcohol is NOT worse than herion. ive yet to see a person steamed up on guinness think he is superman and jump off a roof.

It might be a better idea for some of the people you mention to do just that yew Tree,instead of beating the life out of their mothers,fathers,sons,daughters,spouses and others.Least the heroin guy is only harming himself in process.While I haven't seen many heroin induced episodes of madness I have seen many involving alcohol.Men jumping through windows,putting their heads and fists through plasterboard and wire mesh windows.Punching others trying to help them in the face.Trying to take on the whole bar while "steamed up on guinness" and getting a good beating themselves for their trouble.Loosing wives,husbands and jobs.Being disowned by family and friends because they can't take the madness anymore.Somebody already said that most people can drink in moderation,I would dispute this actually.I think most people who drink probably drink too much,but there are different degrees to which people are differently affected by drink.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 02/11/2010 18:08:39    808187

yew_tree.mayo
really . you have not seen anything then ?

ta32 (Tyrone) - Posts: 4907 - 02/11/2010 18:10:48    808190

i have to totally agree with seanie_boy , the problems that alcohol bring with it is both undermined and underestimated , alcoholism is still a very much of a taboo in this country , and more education needs to adressed on this problem , more and more young people are being put on a waiting list for liver transplants at a very young age , and the trend is contiueing to rise at a alarming rate , they are also many forms of alcohol addictions , in the sense of how it would affect the individual as seanie is explaining .

ta32 (Tyrone) - Posts: 4907 - 02/11/2010 18:40:51    808231

What about the effects of cannabis while driving as many accidents are caused by drug driving !! While alcohol makes driving very dangerous cannabis distorts distances and the traffic lights or person that seems to be half a mile away is right beside you or visa versa. Drug driving is easily as dangerous as drink driving !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 02/11/2010 19:03:23    808254

cavan_slasher.
yes there is also a major problem with drugs , question is there now tests in place to determine wether someone is drugdriving?, not sure if this is the case , drugs are extremly addictive and they do cause a lot of damage , a person though told me one time slasher , that one drink is too many , and a hundred is not enough , i realise now what he meant , i just believe on a personal and not a expert view that alcohol has caused so much damage to families and has a huge strain on the health and policing services , week in and week out , this is a major problem that is being overlooked , more and more of young people are addicted to alcohol but it is still acceptable in our society which is wrong , more worlk and reasearch needs to be done , so a lot more young people do not fall into the trap , which is widening in terms of peer pressure , and the irisponsible advertisement of booze . its widespread .

ta32 (Tyrone) - Posts: 4907 - 02/11/2010 19:39:23    808299

Dellboypolecat
County: Tyrone
Posts: 13401


I agree however i believe it be easier to be hooked in drugs than drink.



Based on what? Have you tried drugs?

Now in my original post I mentioned CANNABIS being legalised. Cannabis is non habit forming, unlike dangerous drugs like paracetemol, valium and prozac and such stuff.

Alcohol is habit forming and for an alcoholic a drop of drink "turns off" the system in the brain which relaxes us, as it recognises drink as the relaxing substance. That is why alcoholics are always alcoholics, amazing thing the brain.

However cannabis does not perform that function. If you were to take it all day long, yes it would certainly damage your memory and such, but the potential for harm is less than alcohol.

Also, despite propaganda from those who stand to lose the most from legalising cannabis, the big chemical firms, soft drugs DO NOT lead automatically to hard drugs.

Today in 2010 cocaine is rife among young people, and heroin and crack scare me half to death, as I hate drugs. I take cannabis, but to me that is herbal, the same as cod liver oil, Ginko Biloba and feverfew.

Now as an alcoholic I can say with some certainty that not only is cannabis healthier, it is also a lot cheaper than alcohol.

So I do have some expertise on the subject, and recommend cannabis, certainly over drink if you have trouble with drink.

And legalising cannabis wipes out half the dealers over night, and stops about 80% of funding to terrorists/freedom fighters.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 02/11/2010 20:16:08    808336

Cavan_Slasher
County: Cavan
Posts: 6185

808254 What about the effects of cannabis while driving as many accidents are caused by drug driving !! While alcohol makes driving very dangerous cannabis distorts distances and the traffic lights or person that seems to be half a mile away is right beside you or visa versa. Drug driving is easily as dangerous as drink driving !!

I would doubt that driving while under the influence of cannabis is less of a problem than drink driving. I'm sure it is just as dangerous but I don't think it is as common. Plus when people are stoned I think they are less likely to get in a car thn those who are drunk.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13796 - 02/11/2010 20:17:03    808337

MesAmis
County: Dublin
Posts: 2143

I would doubt that driving while under the influence of cannabis is less of a problem than drink driving. I'm sure it is just as dangerous but I don't think it is as common. Plus when people are stoned I think they are less likely to get in a car thn those who are drunk.

Just to clarify.
I meant to say that I would doubt that driving while under the influence of cannabis is MORE dangerous than drink driving.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13796 - 02/11/2010 20:45:51    808363

I know this for sure,if I never have another drink it will be too soon!Ha Ha........Seriously.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 02/11/2010 21:10:58    808385

patrique.
that was an excellent post , i really hate drugs i.e heroine , crack etc., but cannabis is seen and is used as a herbal remedy in some severe cases of arthritis , cancer , and multiple sclercosis sufferers , they should legalise this drug , and you are right , the dealers profits would shrink big time , and this would leave other recources freed up , to tackle the bigger problems , agree with you totally .

ta32 (Tyrone) - Posts: 4907 - 02/11/2010 21:16:07    808389

Very true Ta,the proven medicinal benefits of marijuana are becoming more apparent in recent years.And isn't great that the people who suffer from the ailments and diseases you mentioned can find relief from a plant that grows naturally in our world and that if we were to cultivate it properly we could have an endless supply to help these people.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 03/11/2010 08:52:04    808459

I saw the profeesor on bbc news yesterday morning and I agree that a new approach is needed to alcohol. I am not exaggerating when I say that EVERY family I know has been affected negatively in one way or another by drink. I don't know what we should do about it. It is probably a bad idea to go for prohibition of alcohol but I agree that other less harmful (to the individual and society at large) drugs should be decriminalised. We should have the right to keep a few cannabis plants for personal use if we choose.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 03/11/2010 10:14:04    808493