Is drug use still a taboo subject in the USA?

Olivia Martinez20 said:Looks like an entire generation of students here in the US...
🙄

I don't know, those "entire generations" thing feels a little sketchy to me. Like, maybe... Based on the 2004 data, I guess.Looking at the numbers, over 96% of registered users here either finished high school (around 62%) or didn't go past that. Only about 2.1% have a college degree. I mean, obviously, not every student who tries amphetamines is going to be a registered user on this site, but if you look at the ratio of people who experiment versus those who actually get hooked—and I don't think anyone can really argue with that math—then things are definitely leaning toward the group that won't even make it through college. Who's actually who? I guess it's hard to tell sometimes. Maybe just asking for some clarity. I guess I'll just list it.

Hannah Davis18 said:It depends on the person—but honestly, looking at those coming back from rehab, I’d rather just take the pills and try to quit on my own.

Anyway, it's easy to talk about locking people up and calling it a failure.

The relapse rate is incredibly high.
And hey, it's not even a bad deal; grabbing a little cash from the government👍—some of these communities are seriously underfunded.

The programs I’m talking about don't get a dime from the government—and even if they did, who knows how much money it would actually take to make it "worthwhile" for anyone to profit. Also, I find it pretty strange that you're rambling about incarceration and failure rates.
At least 70% of them succeed—and it isn't about being locked up, because their doors are wide open and they can leave whenever they want. It’s about learning how to actually function and value things in life they previously ignored. You have people who were living on the streets and hitting rock bottom one day, and today they’re speaking multiple languages and picking up skills they never even dreamed of—all while knowing exactly what those chemicals do to the body and how close they came to losing everything.

William White2 said:so how is it that people actually die after an alcohol-induced seizure?

I don't know much about the specifics—and yes, people do die from it—but my take is that it happens because the brain has already been fried by the booze.

Alcohol and drugs aren't the same thing.

Nancy Ward37 said:The communities I’m referring to don't receive any government funding, and even if they did, I suppose it's hard to say how much money would actually be necessary to make them personally beneficial. I also find it a bit strange that you're talking about locking people up and how those programs might fail.

Yeah, sure, my friend went off for treatment near Barcelona, and the old folks there just drained him of every cent he had...

A typical day for therapy in Spain: 6:30 AM wake up and prayer, 7:00 AM breakfast, work until 1:00 PM, lunch, prayer, work until 7:00 PM, dinner, prayer, then sleep.
To make matters worse, he wasn't allowed to talk to anyone, except for strictly necessary conversations; apparently, that privilege was reserved only for those who had been there for several years already.

The guy escaped the first time, but he didn't really have anywhere to go, so he just wandered around Barcelona. He managed to escape successfully a second time, came back here, found a job and an apartment, and I guess he's doing okay now.

And all of that costs money.

William White2 said:Yeah, sure—his buddy went off for treatment near Barcelona, and those old folks just bled him dry, dollar after dollar...

Treatment in Spain: 6:30 AM wake up and prayer, 7:00 AM breakfast, work until 1:00 PM, lunch, prayer, work until 7:00 PM, dinner, prayer, sleep.
To make matters worse, he wasn't even allowed to talk to anyone—except for "essential" conversations. Only the people who had been there for years were granted that privilege.

The guy fled the first time, but he had nowhere to go—just wandered around Barcelona. He successfully escaped the second time, came here, found a job and an apartment, and now he’s supposedly doing fine.

And all of that costs money.

He wasn't allowed to talk??????
Only "essential" conversations???????
That is simply not true. And the fact that your friend ran away just to get high is a completely different issue—because for them, the money is ready (the funds their parents provided when they arrived) if they want to head back home.

As for the prayers—that part is true. That’s how Christian communities work; they are open to everyone. They have other options where there isn't as much praying if that’s such a sticking point, since I can see it clearly is. It’s just like how you accused me of having no clue about drugs—which I don't, except regarding the consequences—well, I could tell you that you have no clue about these communities, but that’s beside the point right now.
Parents providing money is a fact, though I'm not familiar with the specific transfer process. Besides, I would give millions for my own child just to get them on the right path. That money goes toward their food, clothes, and basic necessities because the government doesn't fund them.

Nancy Ward37 said:That simply isn't true, and the fact that your friend ran off just to get high is a completely different issue altogether...

God, you are seriously getting on my nerves 😠

I suppose it’s hard to grasp, but when you're 3108 miles stuck at home all day, there is at least one thing in life worth just forgetting about,

William White2 said:God, this is so frustrating... 😠

Look, don't you get it? When you're 3108 miles stuck at home, you need at least one thing in your life to just lose your mind over.

Man, you lose your cool way too easily. The point is—and look at people fleeing from Russia, they were doing it for drugs, too. You have to realize that's all they think about. Once you join a community, you know the rules, and you have to be honest with yourself if you actually want to make it work.

1. I suppose if someone chooses to enter a rehab facility, it doesn't necessarily follow that they are there solely for detox purposes; in certain instances, seeking treatment at an out-of-state facility might just be a way to partially bypass our local legal system.

2. Furthermore, if a person decides to leave a recovery program, one shouldn't automatically assume it was due to substance use; if you lock someone up who has never even touched drugs, how can anyone possibly predict whether they'll attempt to run away?

oh man... where do I even start? first off, props to you guys for even bothering to argue with Nancy Ward37. Pro tip—don't. People like that are a lost cause. Nancy Ward37, look, good for you, but you're acting way too high and mighty about stuff you clearly don't understand.
And seriously, stop picking fights. Even if you actually saw someone throwing up and seizing for 21 days straight, it wouldn't happen. Not even with the most hardcore heroin addicts does that kind of physical reaction last 21 days—it’s maybe 5 or 6 at most...
Anyway, I'm over it. That's not why I'm here...

So, basically, we've established that drugs are still a massive taboo in America, even though people are talking about them more than ever. It would be different if people just stopped reading between the lines and actually tried to educate themselves properly...

Someone mentioned how nonprofits try to warn people about drugs—back in the day, there was this one NGO (maybe they still are, who knows) called ŠPICA, or something like that, whose activists used to hand out flyers at parties. Those flyers actually laid out everything about different substances and how to help someone through an overdose.
That was actually a solid move. I don't know if they're still doing it, but I really hope they are...

William White2 said:1. Just because someone is in a rehab facility doesn't mean they're there solely to detox—in this case, these out-of-state facilities are basically a way to bypass our local legal system.

2. And if someone runs away from a center, it doesn't automatically mean drugs were the cause. If you lock a person up who has never even touched a substance, don't be surprised when they try to make a break for it.

The kind of community I’m talking about takes in all sorts of lost kids who just couldn't find their footing. At least, that's how they define themselves. It isn't strictly limited to drug addiction. When someone joins one of these programs, there’s a two-month intake period—which is exhausting, by the way—where they vet people and make sure everyone understands the rules before diving in. For women, that preparation phase can last six months. They actually have the authority to turn people away if they feel the person's motivations aren't genuine.
The conditions aren't easy, but if you're truly committed to recovery, that shouldn't matter. You're surrounded by people who've walked similar paths—people with common ground who don't judge, but instead focus on helping one another.
There are plenty of different organizations out there, so anyone can pick the one that fits them best.

rustytiger19 said:someone mentioned those non-profits doing drug warnings—there used to be (and maybe still is) this one NGO called špica or something like that, where activists would hit up parties handing out flyers that actually explained everything about drugs and how to help if someone overdosed.
i mean, that was a pretty solid move. not sure if they’re still at it, but I hope they are...

they do, they really do. and špica isn't the only one.

William White2 said:1. Just because someone is in a rehab facility doesn't mean they're there solely for detox—in this case, offshore facilities are basically just a way to bypass our local legal system.

2. And if someone runs away from a center, it doesn't automatically mean they left because of drugs. If you lock someone up who has never even touched a substance, don't be surprised when they try to make a break for it.

The type of community I’m talking about takes in all those lost kids who just couldn't find their footing—at least, that's how they frame it. It isn't strictly limited to drug addicts. Before anyone actually joins, there's a two-month intake process (which is exhausting) where they vet people and walk them through the rules so everyone knows what they're getting into. For women, that prep period is actually six months. They can—and will—turn you away if they decide your motives aren't genuine.
The conditions aren't exactly easy, but if you're actually serious about recovery, that shouldn't matter. You're surrounded by people who have walked similar paths; there's a shared understanding there. Nobody's judging—everyone is just helping each other out.
There are several different programs out there, so people can choose the one that fits them best.

Nancy Ward37 said:Look, parents handing over cash is a fact, but I don't really get how this whole sending money thing works. Honestly, I'd drop millions if it meant getting my kid on the right track. That money is just for their basic stuff—food, clothes, whatever—since the government isn't footing the bill.

Yeah, they're all "civilized" 👍
growing their own veggies, keeping cows, living phone-free...

It's funny how much one addict actually costs😲 you know? Yet on the news, they make it sound like these communes are totally self-sufficient and contributing back to society.
Now, out of nowhere, they need cash for supplies😛
and even getting into those places isn't exactly cheap.😳

Hannah Davis18 said:Yeah, they’re all dressed down 👍
they grow their own veggies, raise cows, no phones...

It’s funny how much an addict costs😲 versus what the TV tells you—that these communes actually make money and contribute back to society.
Now, suddenly, there’s a need for cash for basic supplies😛
and even getting into one of these places isn't cheap.😳

Wait, you need money just to join?????
No phones?????
Basic necessities:
- People in these communities still brush their teeth—unless you think you can plant toothpaste in a garden somewhere.
- I hear they wash clothes too.
- They need clothing and footwear.
- They pay for electricity, water, heating.
- They buy other hygiene products.
- Etc.

In a commune, nobody is "earning" a salary. There’s no profit motive. They grow food and raise animals for themselves, sure, but they also help out the community if needed (like a rural settlement helping a family struggling with food by sharing their homegrown produce). They even support foster kids in South America.

You talk about the cost of getting sober or finding a real path, which is fine, but you completely ignore the cost of drugs—how much money is wasted on them, the funeral costs for someone who dies from an overdose, or the sheer mental toll and heartbreak inflicted on the families left behind.

Every time I’ve visited one of these communities for a meeting, I came home feeling richer than when I left. I can't quite describe the feeling. These guys—the men in the community—blow me away every single time with how honest and open they are about everything. I don't get why people judge them; personally, I think what they're doing is incredibly positive.

They grow their own produce and tend to their livestock. Honestly, what’s the problem there? They believe in God and pray daily—where’s the issue with that? They help their neighbors, learn foreign languages, and practice being generous and honest.

I don't see anything wrong with that.

I realize I’m largely to blame for us drifting so far off track here. My point was simple: drugs aren't some untouchable taboo—they are a part of our daily reality. Our society is poisoned to the core by this issue, and we need to root it out completely. We have to educate people on just how destructive this stuff really is.
I caught a movie on TV recently—I think it was called Requiem for a Dream, or something along those lines; I can't quite recall the exact title. It was harrowing. Honestly, I’d show that film to kids in middle school just to make sure the idea of using drugs never even crosses their minds.

How can you say people aren't earning money?

It's all just busy work—making cheap crafts for holiday markets, doing odd jobs... I mean, there's this local rehab center with a crew that handles furniture repair and moving services.

Honestly, they didn't impress me at all; I just feel bad for them. They've been grinding away for two years without any real benefits, while the commune gets taxpayer money from the government, and parents actually end up paying just to get their kids admitted.
When someone leaves, they don't even report it; instead, they just pocket the stipend for a couple more months.
They didn't win me over; I mean, people who were on the wrong path themselves just yesterday suddenly have zero empathy for my views—not even about drugs, just general life stuff.
Like, I had this really good friend, someone I knew way before his whole addiction ordeal, but after the rehab program, he’s just preaching fables and seeing everything through some biblical lens.
His total intolerance for things he was doing himself just a few years ago is... I don't know, it's weird. Like his brain got totally wiped or something.

Hannah Davis18 said:The way he can't stand stuff he actually did just a few years ago... it's weird. Like, total brain melt, I guess.

...which basically brings us to the main point: do you think this is a step forward or a step back?
Maybe look at his whole vibe and how he treats people around him—like family, partners, or even his boss/employees.

Hannah Davis18 said:How can you say they aren't earning anything?

They’re basically doing odd jobs—making crafts for local markets, fixing furniture at a local repair shop, even helping people move.

I wasn't impressed; I just felt sorry for them. These second-year residents are working themselves to death without any actual benefits—the commune gets state funding while parents end up paying just to get their kids admitted.
When someone leaves, they don't even report the departure; instead, they pocket the government assistance meant for the ward for another month or two.
I wasn't impressed by them—people who were living totally reckless lives just yesterday, yet now have zero empathy for my views—and I'm not even talking about drugs, just general life philosophies.
Even a close friend of mine—someone I knew long before his ordeal with addiction—started preaching fables after joining the commune, looking at everything through "Biblical glasses."
His sudden intolerance toward things he was doing himself just a few years ago is honestly baffling; it’s like his brain has been completely rewired.

Why is faith such a negative thing for you? He wasn't looking at the world through "Biblical glasses" when he was an addict, and I highly doubt he cared about social services back then...
Well, it's better that they're working than wandering the streets.

rustytiger19 said:Good grief... where do I even start? First off, kudos to you guys for even bothering to argue with Nancy Ward37. Pro tip: don't. You can't help people like that. And Nancy Ward37—look, I respect the passion, but you're acting way too high and mighty about something you clearly don't understand.
And quit trying to pick fights over things you haven't seen. Even if you actually watched someone retching and vomiting for 21 days straight—you couldn't. Not even with the worst heroin addicts does the vomiting last 21 days!!! It’s maybe 5 or 6 at most...
Anyway, I'm over it. That's not the point here....

So, we've basically established that drugs are still a massive taboo in America, even though they're becoming less so and information is more accessible. It would all be different if people just stopped reading between the lines and actually tried to educate themselves properly...

Someone mentioned non-profits issuing drug warnings—there used to be (and probably still is) this NGO called ŠPICA (or something like that) whose activists would hand out flyers at parties. Those flyers laid everything out—exactly what every drug does and how to help someone who's overdosed.
That was, say, a commendable move. I don't know if they're still doing it, but I hope they are...

- drugs are taboo
-pedophiles are taboo
-prostitution is taboo

Maybe it's because people don't want it in their lives, or maybe they just don't want to talk about it over coffee.