Is drug use still a taboo subject in the USA?

Nancy Ward37 said:Talia, I'm just saying you shouldn't mess around with drugs because they're basically designed to hook you.

Look, things were made to be enjoyed; I mean, pretty much the entire history of the human race is tied up with different kinds of opiates.
Abuse is a totally different thing entirely.
Drugs didn't just show up in the last 20 years or whatever; people have been using mushrooms, coke, and poppies for magic and religious stuff for a long, long time.

And that whole "designed to hook you" bit... so what, alcohol was only made for enjoyment?
God, the hypocrisy is unreal.😲

Nancy Ward37 said:I am honestly concerned that you don't have a clue what you're talking about. That slippery slope you're describing leads straight to heroin without any effort at all. It’s common knowledge even to someone on the street that heroin addicts start there. This isn't just some theory; it's an established fact. I’m not trying to judge those people—I actually think they need help—but I simply cannot take this kind of nonsense seriously.

Look, I've personally been in those circles, and I've seen how drugs have completely destroyed many people close to me.

Of course, drugs have very few redeeming qualities, but I suppose I am just searching for a bit of objectivity here, so that people might realize that alcohol isn't exactly a lesser destroyer than some of the lighter substances.

It is true that most addicts likely started with a joint, but if you consider the data showing that 70% of American youth have tried marijuana, it would seem that they should all be heavy addicts by now, which clearly isn't the case.

Hannah Davis18 said:Of course I’m not going to support any organizations that happen to be anti-smoking; anything that reeks of being exclusionary makes me want to run for the hills.
Number two; every single heroin addict didn't necessarily start out with a joint; though people might try to convince you otherwise until the day they die; everyone in the community knows how it actually works.
Besides, it isn't as if I haven't experimented with various substances myself; and frankly, it certainly didn't lead me down the path to addiction.
Theft and prostitution aren't really what drug dealers are focused on; but perhaps if you actually opened your eyes, you might learn something new.

I agree

And even the idea that you can just spot every addict at a glance is obviously not true.

Plus, there are plenty of addicts—meaning actual users, not just occasional ones—who exist within "high society," such as doctors, lawyers, and so on.

just don't let anyone find out about this last part 🤣
you totally left out all those former pro athletes too.

Hannah Davis18 said:You also overlooked former athletes.

I suppose I was actually thinking more along the lines of people who have been sober.🤣 🤣

Hannah Davis18 said:It was made for enjoyment; our entire history as a species is deeply intertwined with various opiates.
Abuse is an entirely different story.
Drugs aren't some new phenomenon from the last 20 years; mushrooms, coca, poppies—they've been used for magical and religious purposes for ages.

But this one was designed to hook you? Is alcohol created solely for pleasure?
The hypocrisy is unreal.😲

Honestly, I’d suggest seeing a therapist to help you out, because it's pretty clear you can't even relax without drugs or booze.
People like you are exactly why we have problems in society—I imagine when you eventually have kids, you'll be the first one rolling a joint for them since 70% of users end up stuck on it. It's disgusting. I can see how much this stuff has fried your brain, so just for comparison (not that I'm defending alcohol)—think about how many people have died from drugs versus alcohol. As a "hypocrite," let me ask you: how many people catch HIV or hepatitis from drugs compared to alcohol? There isn't a single logical argument that would convince a sane person that drugs are a good thing.

Right back at ya; 👋

so just don't go using drugs, okay?
🤣
and stop assuming you know what I'm gonna do with my own diet; honestly, that's just pathetic.

William White2 said:Look, I’ve been in those circles myself—I've seen people close to me absolutely destroyed by it.

Obviously, drugs have almost zero upside, but I’m just trying to be objective here—people need to realize that alcohol isn't exactly a saint; it's just as much of a destroyer as some of the "lighter" substances.

Sure, most addicts started with a joint, but if that were the rule, then seeing as 70% of American youth have tried weed at some point, we'd all be facing massive addiction crises right now.

Let's be clear: alcohol isn't healthy, but I'm not convinced that young women are turning to prostitution specifically because of booze.

The reality is that drugs aren't some "taboo" mystery—they are just fundamentally negative things. There isn't a single redeeming quality to them; people only turn to drugs when they are struggling. Just talk to any former addict—ask them *why* they started in the first place.

Last sentence removed by moderator.

Hannah Davis18 said:Right back at you; 👋

and just stay off the drugs
🤣
and quit assuming anything about my personal diet—it’s honestly pathetic.

It isn't "pathetic," it's dangerous—clearly you don't get it. You're basically advocating for people to just walk around high. As far as I'm concerned, lawyers, athletes, and everyone else you mentioned who uses drugs are just people with an addiction, no different from anyone else.

Hannah Davis18, just say NO—and for once, actually believe in yourself.

Nancy Ward37 said:Look, calling you a hypocrite, I’m asking how many people actually catch HIV or hepatitis from drugs versus just drinking too much. There isn't an argument out there that would convince any sane person that drugs are a good thing.

well, you don't really even have to ask. just pick up any newspaper and check the Dateline NBC section; just look at how many people under the influence every single day are dying in car wrecks, drowning, or getting wasted like pigs and then getting into fights with knives or guns.

so if you think you're being "normal"😲 then I guess I'm definitely on the other side; whatever, if that's how it is.
😍

the whole argument 🤔 that drugs are such a disaster wouldn't hold up if so many people weren't doing them for fun anyway.😉

Hannah Davis18 said:Look, you don't even need to ask—just pick up any newspaper and scan the crime section; just look at how many people daily die from drunk driving, drownings, or getting wasted and then starting fights with whatever weapons they can find.

So, if you actually consider yourself "normal"😲 then I guess I’m definitely on the other side of the fence; fine, if that's how we're playing it.
😍

The whole argument 🤔that drugs are inherently "worse"😉 falls apart when you see how many people are out there using the exact same substances for recreation.

Alright, my bad—I didn't realize I was dealing with someone whose brain is fried, so let me simplify this for you: how many people actually die from drug overdoses versus alcohol poisoning? Seriously, tell me which organization you're supposedly helping, because I’m genuinely curious—where exactly are you "helping" addicts stop using? Are you trying to help them, or are you more likely the type to supply them just so they feel better—or heaven forbid, get them drunk, since alcohol is clearly a much bigger issue than drugs.

I'm starting to realize how foolish I've been even bothering to argue with you—because if you honestly believe that needing drugs is a baseline for being a "normal" person, then we're clearly past the point of any meaningful conversation.

http://www.moravek.net/ovisnosti/boltek.htm

Here—take a look at this. Let's see who's actually talking sense and who's just talking nonsense.

You’re talking absolute nonsense; honestly, it feels like you just ate a bowl of pure garbage. 😵
Arguing with people who think they know everything and have zero manners is just a waste of time.

But I guess it is kind of fun; 🤣 you rarely see brain rot this intense. 👍

Nancy Ward37 said:You shouldn't mess around with drugs because they are engineered specifically to hook you.

Nancy Ward37 said:It looks to me like those substances have absolutely fried your brain.

Nancy Ward37 said:The reality is that drugs aren't some sacred taboo; they are purely negative, and there isn't a single redeeming quality to be found because drug use is exclusively the domain of weak-willed people.

Blatant idiocy, blatant stigmatization, demeaning generalizations, and outright fascism—all delivered without a shred of scientific evidence—serve as the perfect specimen of how low-level this entire discussion regarding drugs has descended. Thank you for so effectively proving my point. 🙂

To suggest that drugs are "designed" to trap you is factually incorrect, as not all substances are inherently addictive, and it is quite frankly absurd to assume that anyone holding a differing perspective must possess a "fried brain." Furthermore, users come from every conceivable walk of life: the strong and the weak, the young and the old, the highly educated and the uneducated alike.

It is painfully obvious that you belong to that specific demographic which believes their perceived right to label others as "weak" or "failures" supersedes the fundamental right of those individuals to live their lives as they see fit, provided they aren't bothering you or infringing upon your own choices.

You are the quintessential example of a person consumed by prejudice, hiding behind the concept of "normalcy," despite the fact that you wouldn't recognize true normalcy if it picked you up for a date, flirted with you at an American pub, got you drunk, slept with you all night, and then made you breakfast in the morning!

🙄

Don't bother responding; you have thoroughly discredited yourself as a serious interlocutor.

I’ve been scrolling through all this, and man, there is a whole lot to take in. 🙂
So, just to jump straight into the heart of this thread—here in the States, drugs are still such a massive taboo. It really comes down to people who just don't get it. Even though you see it creeping into every single corner of our lives more and more every day, it’s still not something folks feel comfortable discussing out in the open. Honestly, some people run away from the topic of drug use like they’re running from the devil himself. And because they’re so uninformed, they end up spouting total nonsense and acting like they know everything when they really don't 🙂 .
@Nancy Ward37—I’m gonna have to disagree with you there. Given everything everyone else has already laid out on this forum, I don't really feel like repeating myself or quoting old arguments.

Synod said:You're the textbook definition of someone blinded by prejudice—hiding behind the word "normal"—when you wouldn't even recognize normalcy if it picked you up for a date, flirted with you at a bar, got you drunk, spent the entire night in bed with you, and then actually made you breakfast in the morning!

🙄

Don't bother responding; you've already lost all credibility as a serious participant in this discussion.

You're honestly pathetic—it's clearly left you completely shaken. Disgusting.
You are the quintessential example of a weak individual who relies on drugs just to feel okay. Let me be blunt, without any sugarcoating: you are bottom-of-the-barrel. You aren't some addict passed out in a park because society failed them—you're the reason people like that exist in the first place.
None of you have any clue what you're talking about. You throw around names and chemical compositions like they're badges of honor, yet you lack the slightest understanding—and let me reiterate, you truly have *no* idea—of how much devastation and death this stuff causes.

It’s adorable how "modern" and "urban" you think you are, and how "normal" you claim to be. Truly charming. Enjoy your hollow lifestyle.

narcotic said:I've read just about everything. Seriously, everything. 🙂
So, let me address the topic title right out of the gate. In America, drugs are still such a massive taboo—and frankly, it’s strictly because people don't know what they're talking about. Even though usage has become more widespread and it’s woven itself into every single corner of our lives, it's still not something people feel comfortable discussing openly. There are folks who run from a conversation about substances like they're running from the devil himself. (And because of all that ignorance, they end up spouting nonsense and acting like they're experts 🙂 )
@Nancy Ward37—I couldn't agree with you more if I tried. Given the arguments already laid out by others here, I have no interest in quoting or repeating what's already been said.

I'm not looking for anyone to agree with me—because if you did, it would mean you've actually seen what I've seen.

man, i honestly, if people actually used their brains for once when they watch stuff, maybe things would be different 🤣