Another what would you do ?

[snaw]

Social phobia imo. Drugs are bad (Unless it's legit like say alcohol or prescription drugs), people on drigs screw their lives up, and a large percentage of people who indulge end up in serious trouble.

Thing is for those of us who have any experience all this stuff isn't actually refelected in our experience. I've had some of the most fun times of my life when I was high. I know plenty of people who took drugs, once upon a time, no one died, everyone had a great time and in almost all cases people turned out ok. I know a couple of people who got into it too much, I know a hell of a lot more who're in serious trouble with alcohol, and I know my parents generation got by on mothers little helpers.

I'm not personally suggesting that everyone go out and do them, or even that all drugs are ok (Smack and crack are very dangerous imo), but in reality if you take the social stigma away then some of them are actually fun, don't screw you up too much and in most cases don't lead down the slippery slope that everyone fears.

In my older exepreince, for the vast majority of people I know who got into them, it was a phase and they grow out of them. I don't regret for a 2nd my time and I'll quote Bill Hicks on this, rings very true for me:

No, I don't do drugs anymore, either. But I'll tell you something about drugs. I used to do drugs, but I'll tell you something honestly about drugs, honestly, and I know it's not a very popular idea, you don't hear it very often anymore, but it is the truth: I had a great time doing drugs. Sorry. Never murdered anyone, never robbed anyone, never raped anyone, never beat anyone, never lost a job, a car, a house, a wife or kids, laughed my ass off, and went about my day.

[WindyAnna]

Never had a problem with it myself but it would be easy to say "it's okay" based on my experience but I'm not your daughter's 17 year old friend.

I have a pretty hedonistic past and I know lots of people who have no problems with a wide variety of drugs. I also know people who have had massive problems with them - addiction, psychosis, depression, suicide, mental breakdown ... you name it. I think it depends what place you head is in to start off with and your psychological make up. With an addictive personality or in an emotionally vulnerable state things can be very different. you also don't know when you are going to get a bad batch or if you're going to be encouraged to try something else or just caught up in the whole thing ... I know I was!

We can't say whether this girl is going to be okay or not - neither can she. But to her it will seem fun, rebellious and exciting. I would talk to your daughter and see whether she thinks there is any point in you approaching her friend direct, SD. You could also get in touch with a local drug counselling agency and see if they have someone who has been there and could talk to her.

It is pretty normal but not that widespread - my 18 year old daughter who is absolutely no angel only knows a couple of people who do C and they are older than her. Just cos it is normal doesn't mean it isn't dangerous ... do what you can to help but your main priority is your own daughter who sounds mighty sensible - a lot more than I was at that age!

[ChimpMaster]

Sit her down and stuff crack in her face for hours on end until she chucks. Aye, the old fashioned way.

[Bagpuss]

We're obviously split into 2 very different camps here, and we'll probably never agree.

Someone who takes coke occassionaly...even once a week...shouldn't be described as being "on drugs". That's like calling a weekend drinker an alcoholic. It's very unfair, completely untrue, and a clear sign of your own nievity and lack of understanding in this area.

This is a child Sally, you seem to have no problem with children taking drugs, I suspect your attitude would change if you had a child. The attitude of a little Charlie is fine could lead to a little Heroin is probably OK. Yes some people may dabble, but it is not harmless. Coke is an addictive drug and children do not have the life experience to handle addiction. I have seen people fall into downward spirals from thinking they can handle such things, if not there would be no such thing as a coke addict. Add to this the destruction of life that has lead to this little hit, drug dealers are nasty people and the people who control them are even worse, people have died been maimed or exploited for that little hit. My best friends daughter started to dabble at a young age and now she is dead. Just because you live somewhere where drugs are rife does not mean it is normal.
Or maybe you will be giving your daughter a lift down to the red light district when she needs to fund her habit (if you think that shocking have a think about what you have said)

[BlasterBates]

We're obviously split into 2 very different camps here, and we'll probably never agree.

Someone who takes coke occassionaly...even once a week...shouldn't be described as being "on drugs". That's like calling a weekend drinker an alcoholic. It's very unfair, completely untrue, and a clear sign of your own nievity and lack of understanding in this area.

I think if that were the case don't you think Sandy's daughter would also see it that way ?

I think there's a problem here.

I'm not f***ing stupid Sally-Anne.

[Denny]

We're obviously split into 2 very different camps here, and we'll probably never agree.

Someone who takes coke occassionaly...even once a week...shouldn't be described as being "on drugs". That's like calling a weekend drinker an alcoholic. It's very unfair, completely untrue, and a clear sign of your own nievity and lack of understanding in this area.

I'm quite surprised at you SA. I always thought you seemed to me a sensible person. But I've changed my mind after reading what you've said on this subject.

It really isn't a question of whether there are two camps or not. The point is this: Coke taking is illegal. It is a crime. It is a crime for a very good reason because it is considered dangerous to lives and because, most importantly, something you've missed out entirely, taking these kinds of drugs can lead to dabbling into other kinds of drugs. So many Meth users dabble in Coke to begin with - they are both similar in their effects. Even Cannibas these days is much stronger than it used to be and can lead to psychosis. A line of Coke may not be intrinsically that dangerous, but if it leads to mindset for the taker that drugs help athem cope with today's pressures - which are considerable - then what will SD's friend do when she can't afford Coke or can't get any but her mate happens to have a bit of Tina in her bag for a cheap high?

I suggest you google in 'Theresa Baxter Meth' and have a look at how a perfectly attractive woman in her 30s turned out to look like a haggard woman in her 60s only a year or so after starting on Meth - with wrinkles and sores all over her face and a droop jaw from losing all her teeth (Meth mouth) This is the effects of taking class A drugs. To encourage taking them is irresponsible and to excuse them in the way you and others have on here is plain daft.

As for your stance on H. There are a few misguided souls in this world who only dabble in that occasionally and never manage to get hooked. They can afford pure H rather than the cut trash that is sold on street corners - often mixed with bleach, talc and so on. However, if your own daughter came home one day and said that she only snorted the odd bit of H but wasn't an addict so please don't tell the teacher.......

.....well, I'll leave it to your rather 'pickled' brain to work out the rest on what you would do, based on what you've said above.

[youwhut]

I know where I stand, and do not plan to harp on. I also know the approach I will take with my own children. I have not planned the approach I will take with other's children - it is none of my business.

Same old debate. Do we really need to labour this? I have seen alcohol (a depressant) ruin lives, but ironically it is the most socially accepted drug. The drugs talked about here are all party drugs - a bit of fun. Priorities change in life - the parties will stop and a new 'drug' (for me, that is having a family) will entertain.

My philosophy with almost anything in life is, 'If you can't do the time then don't do the crime' which includes anything; unprotected sex, speeding, and oh yes, taking drugs.

[snaw]

Dunno if I'd be describing a 17 yr old as a child. It's some-one's child yes, but I think 17 year old are perfectly capable of making there own minds up on a wide range of things. Without interference from someone else's parents.

This kind of debate can only be discussed about from your own personal experience, mines wasn't a bad one at all. Some stories are bad, but some stories about alcohol are bad as well - why don't we ban that? Taking drugs doesn't automatically = someone dies or ends up being a hooker, or something equally grisly. I know someone who's a surgeon, I know a couple of doctors, a partner in a law firm, and partner in an accountancy firm etc. All taken, or take, all normal and ok.

[Bagpuss]

Dunno if I'd be describing a 17 yr old as a child. It's some-one's child yes, but I think 17 year old are perfectly capable of making there own minds up on a wide range of things. Without interference from someone else's parents.

This kind of debate can only be discussed about from your own personal experience, mines wasn't a bad one at all. Some stories are bad, but some stories about alcohol are bad as well - why don't we ban that? Taking drugs doesn't automatically = someone dies or ends up being a hooker, or something equally grisly. I know someone who's a surgeon, I know a couple of doctors, a partner in a law firm, and partner in an accountancy firm etc. All taken, or take, all normal and ok.

They're aren't many stories of kids (and they are kids) dieing of alcohol abuse. Why? because alcohol adheres to a stingent manufacturing process it isn't mixed with all kind of noxious substances. When you take drugs you are participating in an uncontrolled clinical trial, you have no idea what you are taking or what the effects could be, you could be eating rat poison or and other kind of cutting agent. Don't get me wrong, if adults want to do drugs then that is up to them, but children should be wary of the pitfalls and their parents have a right to know. If my mate knew his daughter may well still be alive, I supose some would think her being bribed by a drug dealer to sell to school children was ok? To this day he wishes someone had done the right thing. I suspect there are more than 2 camps here, those who have an addiction but are in denial, those who dabbled in their youth and those who hate all drugs. I don't care which camp you are in, but to promote them or call them harmless is plain stupid. Taking class A drugs is a gamble where the outcome could be death, people are either fine with that or oblivious to that fact.

[tay]

I happen to totally disagree with most of SA's opinion in this thread, but can we keep the rightful indignation to a minimum?
I happen to find recreational drugs and the users of these drugs most distasteful. Almost as annoying as holier than thou preachy types standing in a messageboard pulpit lecturing everyone else.