Drugs????

[Patrick Johnson]

Studies have definitely led to the conclusion that marijuana is a gateway drug.

Studies have led erroneously to that conclusion by those who were looking for a reason to reach that conclusion. Marijuana is a "gateway drug" only in the sense that you have to deal with illegal drug dealers to get it, not because of any intrinsic quality. If alcohol was still illegal it would be a "gateway drug" for the same reason. Some drugs should be illegal. Laws against other drugs cause more trouble than they prevent.

I'm not advocating marijuana use - I don't advocate caffeine use either. But neither drug is particularly harmful. Lumping marijuana with anything as destructive as heroine, cocaine or speed is a travesty of reason and only makes our drug laws seem illogical and agenda-driven to our kids. It would make much more sense to outlaw alcohol and nicotine and our kids know this.

pj
chgo

 

[chefjeff]

Source: Wikipedia

"The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction"."

A Federal Government research institute who's goal is bringing science to bear on drugs... I wonder why they never find anything positive about a drug like marijuana? Hmm. I would have to question anything they present as fact. That's just me, though. Just as I would have to question a pro-drug led research stating all drugs are perfectly okay for consumption.

You're not saying the govt lies, are you?

Jeff Livingston

 

[hang-the-9]

I have been around enough pool rooms to find that almost all of them have pretty much the same % of people that do some type of drug. Weed on up. A very good practice partner of mine from ages back took some type of pain pills, and I used to hate when he did that. For 2 reasons, he was too loopy to talk to, and his game went up a ball or 2, the bastard.

Since about 1987 when I started playing, to now, same age people, different pant styles, same drug use amounts.

 

[hang-the-9]

No offience DeadPoked, but I find it very hard to read drug comments from anyone with THAT avatar hehe

Anyhoo, is there not plenty of medical reasons for taking wacky tabaky that has been put out? The other side of that is that just gives people who want to fire it up another excuse "I only take it for my bad back". People will always find a reason to do what they do, wether it's gambling, drinking, smoking, drugs, hitting kids, driving too fast, you name it, people will rationalize it to themselvs. My wife, everytime I say her smoking will end up with me and the kids visiting her in the hospital because she can't breathe always tells me "I can't know, it's too stressfull at work" or "I know but not now, my sister is complaining to me and I need to smoke".

Source: Wikipedia

"The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction"."

A Federal Government research institute who's goal is bringing science to bear on drugs... I wonder why they never find anything positive about a drug like marijuana? Hmm. I would have to question anything they present as fact. That's just me, though. Just as I would have to question a pro-drug led research stating all drugs are perfectly okay for consumption.

 

[trustyrusty]

No offience DeadPoked, but I find it very hard to read drug comments from anyone with THAT avatar hehe

Anyhoo, is there not plenty of medical reasons for taking wacky tabaky that has been put out? The other side of that is that just gives people who want to fire it up another excuse "I only take it for my bad back". People will always find a reason to do what they do, wether it's gambling, drinking, smoking, drugs, hitting kids, driving too fast, you name it, people will rationalize it to themselvs. My wife, everytime I say her smoking will end up with me and the kids visiting her in the hospital because she can't breathe always tells me "I can't know, it's too stressfull at work" or "I know but not now, my sister is complaining to me and I need to smoke".

good post. Personal responsibilty is almost completely gone nowadays. Pop-psychology gives everyone excuses for their actions, whether it be environment, mental anguish, poor parenting, etc. etc. etc. The only inevitiblity in life is death, and the rest is all by choice. Take addiction, if it were impossible to break addiction then nobody would ever overcome it. NOBODY!!! And, we all know that people overcome it everyday. I like to call it the Oprahization of America. Not just the fact that people use excuses it explain away their responsibilities, but more and more people are excepting of those excuses - whether due to pity, or that they just want to seem more understanding and tolerant of bad behaviors. I'd better stop with this post before 1) I get too worked up or 2) I really tick people off with my callousness.

 

[Bamacues]

I answered no....the only drugs I take are anti-cholesteral and alpha/beta blockers so my ticker doesn't work too hard.

Thankfully, drugs were not that big a deal growing up in the 60s in south Alabama...booze was, but I never liked it. Then I was in a job in the service where we were always tested regularly, so that was out. I had a lot of friends who used, both in the service and later. I lost a few of them to drugs over the years, and I miss them a lot when I think about it. Then, I worked with the federal service mostly in special operations/forces type positions and nobody did them in that arena.

Actually, I like myself, so I don't want to get high or anything to forget or be someone else. I like being straight. I don't like drunks and I have a difficult time with anyone who passes the line with drugs and thinks it gives them a free pass to being an asshole. If you want to do them and not bother anyone else with it, suit yourself.
Joe

 

[olauzon]

Just remember AZ'ers.... Anything you say OR WRITE can used against you in a Court of Law! If ever your investigated for anything, the first thing law enforce will do is Goggle your name. Anything with your name will pop up

so, deadpoked, your done. so am i, since i'm now typing that i agree with the better part of what poked has said. and i promise it is me that's typing, not someone else.

 

[Jimmy M.]

I tried it once, but I didn't inhale.


Why do I suddenly have deja vu?

 

[DelaWho???]

Source: Wikipedia

"The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal-government research institute whose mission is to "lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction"."

A Federal Government research institute who's goal is bringing science to bear on drugs... I wonder why they never find anything positive about a drug like marijuana? Hmm. I would have to question anything they present as fact. That's just me, though. Just as I would have to question a pro-drug led research stating all drugs are perfectly okay for consumption.

Simple answer, they are not in the business of finding benefits. They are studying addiction and abuse not theraputic uses.
These are the people the DEA calls on when VALID medical researchers like those at MIT sue the gov't for permission to grow research pot.
They are studying abuse and addiction and how to prevent/treat addiction. Scaring someone straight with the possible negative effects of something is a valid way to change behavior. You won't hear NIDA refer to studies that say pot offers moderate pain relief at low dosages, but can enhance pain at high doses. You won't hear how CBN (a THC derivative) shows huge promise as a Non Toxic chemotherapy for certain types of cancer (breast cancer is one of them). Nor will you be told that a British pharm company is currently marketing Sativex for MS patients, which is essentially a marijuana stray that is taken sublinguily (under the tongue) which supresses many of the effects of this terrible disease.
NIDA tells us what the trends of abuse are. They tell us that next to pot, teens are abusing prescription pain pills and over the counter drugs like Robotussen. They offer trends for law enforcement and treatment people to enable them to treat'interdict the drug du jour...

Not the best place for unbiased information...I think the Freevibe site is run by NIDA, and it is nothing more than propaganda.

Banger

 

[Black-Balled]

Originally Posted by Tommyd1
Just remember AZ'ers.... Anything you say OR WRITE can used against you in a Court of Law! If ever your investigated for anything, the first thing law enforce will do is Goggle your name. Anything with your name will pop up

They better not goggle me!

Honestly, you think, "Well, your Honor, I saw on the internet that cheech was growing the sticky-icky. That is why I kicked down his door", is gonna come out of a Detective's mouth

 

[chefjeff]

They better not goggle me!

Honestly, you think, "Well, your Honor, I saw on the internet that cheech was growing the sticky-icky. That is why I kicked down his door", is gonna come out of a Detective's mouth

No, that's not how they do it.

First they set up a sting and bust some young kid for possession who has few connections to the adult world. Then they scare the crap outta him by threatening long jail time if he doesn't talk. Then he says whatever he has to (torture usually leads to this outcome) to save himself. So, they use his "free will" testimony to get a warrant for whomever they pick and BAM!, guys in masks (hint, "good" guys in masks because...???) bust down doors and shoot old ladies, dogs, terrify kids, or whomever and whatever they want.

"Your honor, we had an infomant that led us to this residence. He lied, as all drug users do, so it's not our fault."

Then a legislator says, "Therefore, we need tougher laws and longer sentences and tighter borders and more cops and more money and less civil liberties and more training in schools and we need to close the pool halls and other places of denigration, and, and, and....."

...and so it goes. Meanwhile, drug use is up more than ever.....hmmmmmmmm, I guess we need more laws and more......

Jeff Livingston

 

[ShootingArts]

since you mentioned Cheech

They better not goggle me!

Honestly, you think, "Well, your Honor, I saw on the internet that cheech was growing the sticky-icky. That is why I kicked down his door", is gonna come out of a Detective's mouth

Look up what happened to Chong, due to the Internet!!
Hu

 

[jay helfert]

I finally read this thread this morning. All I have to say is WOW and DOUBLE WOW!

First thing I'd like to say is this. ALL of us have only one real possession in the world. You know what that is? Yes, it's our bodies. Sorry if I sound simplistic here. But that's all we've really been given for our short stay on this planet. That being said, I think it's a good idea to take very good care of our one lone possession.

I learned long ago, that we have been given a gift in our beautiful complex bodies. And there is so much we can do with that gift, if we chose to. Our brain is far more advanced than the strongest computer, and our physical attributes are remarkable. Look at the amazing things human beings do every day. Playing great pool is only one of them!

So my advice to all you boys and girls out there is, DON'T FU-K IT UP! Take care of your body and it will serve you well for many, many years. I've even known some very good pool players who were over 60.

Okay, so now my confession. I have used drugs, particularly when I was a young man. I started with "weed" when I was 22, and I also experimented with cocaine, mushrooms and even LSD. I never tried heroin because I would never voluntarily put a needle in my arm.

I first tried smoking as a teenager, and smoked mild cigarettes off and on until age 21. One day when I was smoking, I really began to think about this "half a pack a day" habit I had acquired. It was a hassle to always have to carry the pack, especially in my tight bell bottoms that showed off my cute ass (my GF told me this), I had to make sure to carry a light as well (matches or a lighter), and it was a costly habit (I was very frugal). Not only that but if I run out of cigs, I must then bum or borrow one. Same goes for a light.

And the final straw was when I realized, on top of all the above, it wasn't good for me. I quit smoking 'cold turkey' that day. DONE! A final note on smoking, My second daughter once said to me (at age 11), "Why would you put a burning object into your mouth?" From the mouth of babes come words of wisdom!

About alcohol. I just never acquired a taste for it. Thank God! I have seen more damage done from the effects of alcohol use, then from any other drug. PERIOD! You can argue all day and night about legality etc., but that has been my experience, and what I have observed in this life. Alcohol is dangerous, plain and simple! Misuse is rampant, any many innocent people have died as a result. Plus it can do some serious damage to your body. When your Liver goes, you are essentially done.

Cocaine. Nothing doing. The effect on me was like a shot of novacaine in the center of my face. No high, no thrill, no nothing. I tried it twice, and that was enough.

Uppers. Many pool players I knew were abusing them, taking them by the handful. For me, one small white cross would keep me wired for many hours. I guess I had a sensitive system. Frank Tullos taught me the value of playing pool on the natch, and I never forgot it.

LSD. This is a tough one. I took it maybe six or seven times back in the 60's. What an amazing experience, ones I will never forget. But as a responsible adult, I will never do it again. NEVER! Mushrooms, the same.

Okay, marijuana. I used it off and on for several years in my 20's. And I liked it, but I became psychologically addicted to it. I just had to have some around, or I felt uncomfortable. It took me years to get over this addictive state, but I did. I still like marijuana, and will use it on occasion. Particularly on a long boring drive. But I couldn't tell you the last time I used it, it is that infrequent. Probably two or three times a year.

For me the beauty in life is all naturally occurring. These are the best "highs". The ecstasy (that is the right word here) of a gorgeous sunset, the smile of a beautiful woman, the touch of a tender hand, the warm words of a peaceful soul, the comfort of a redwood forest. All things I love and savor. And there are many more, far too many to list here.

Okay, I've gone on long enough. I think you've got my point. Take care of your precious bodies. Act responsibly!

 

[DelaWho???]

I think the thing that I am finding interesting on this thread is the net positive things vs negative things being said about mushrooms lsd and MDMA by those who have purported to use them. Where are all the bummer stories???? The I'm scared sh!tless I've lost my mind stories, or are they just urban legend (I can tell you they aren't) like the whole flashback, your going to have deformed babies, type scare tactic?
Any of you psychnauts had a bad trip??? How about a genuine flashback? What was that like? Unpleasant, or mind expanding like the original experience?

Banger

 

[Fatboy]

what I find rather interesting about this thread is that the Americans sound like our Govt talking and the Europeans have other views, since i live in other parts of the world year round for the past 7 years it amazes me how "Programed" Americans are. Were right because we just are our Govt said so. I went to Germany for my back operations because the hardware they put in me was used in the late 80's in Europe and America is just doing its own clinical trials(with the same results as europe has 20 years ago). American medicine dosent recognize the clinical trials of any other country, while the rest of the world(for the most part) all work together on solutions. thus the advancement in medicine and knowlege about drugs world wide being ahead of America.

Sure Weed is a gateway drug, you need to buy it from illegal sources, well....so is playing a race to 5 for $50, its illegal and a gateway to Las Vegas....where you can really blow some cheese. So you have to be careful, i never did it once, I live in vegas and dont gamble.


People in Zimbabwe dont care about drugs, weed is legal for most tribes, there is a plant like a onion(it grows everywhere) you boil and drink its juice its a very strong a hallucigenic...bad stuff the white kids do it, the black people dont. they get some chemical drugs in Zim from South Africa and use them there but there is no judgment, or "war on Drugs" the people in Zim believe to let others do as they like, when there is a problem they say "make a plan" to fix it, they are tough peoplem wars, highest inflation in the world, car jackings are a daily thing etc.

in Germany after my first operation they gave my paracetimel(spelled wrong but its Tyenol) they think 10mgs of hodrocodone(lortab or vic's) is a big dose and here people take 200-300mgs/day, i dont take near that much, thye say that americans are the "Champions of pills" I heard that from many doctors, even the anastesia for operations in some cases is different there, they say "toughtn up" Look at Rolf Souquet he turns into a machine when he gets tired after playing 12 hours srtaight at the US Open or Derby this year, he toughtns up, thats the Germany way Americans take more pills. Look at the number of lawsuits and class action cases in america against the drug manufactors. Chris Rock said it best "they dont want you addicted to street drugs, they want you addicted to the drugs they make" Ameericans are the biggest pill poppers in the world, so just how smart is out Govt. and its stand alone reasearch? well in my case with artifical discs they are 20 years behind the times and the ones they are testing here are slipping out like they did in Europe 20 years ago, half the patients at my clinic in Germany are rich americans...think about that. Perhaps some of the findings on elicite drug use here is propaganda or just plain wrong because its old information, I'm not saying coke is good but there are boarder line drugs, not many people die from X, one is to many but driving at 215 AM in California is dangerous too.

I'm not picking sides just stating my observations,


Sorry I reccomended anything, It was 50% humerous and 50% serious, it was a poor choice of words, and for that I appologise to everyone. For the record I have done it X about 12-14 times in 9 years. I may never do it again, I had zero problems.side affects from it. I do take pain pills i have no choice and I can tell that they are making me sick, in many way I dont take they for fun and wouldnt. I have never smoke pot, coke, meth , PCP etc. bad stuff, I made the choice to do one drug in my life for fun and it was so I shared my feelings about it.

Oh yes, the steroid thing, WOW does the media have this one all blow out of porportion, they use the word "abuse" instead of "use" every time they mention them(2 different things), they are medicine and some are legal in America others are legal in Thailand, Greece, Spain, Germany, the list goes on, When used peoperly thye are the best thing ever, you build up your body stronger and healthier, your immune system is better, libedo it higher, food tastes better. They create a hightened sence of well being. You dont feel them you just feel better overall, the problem is 90% of users take way to much and dont do the blood work to see whats going on, the idea it to optimize your hormone levels to promote muscle growth with out any short or long term side effects, simple hormone panels will show you where your at. I did them for years with my friend a endrochronoligist/plastic surgeon my back ache was gone from 93 until late 04 when the dics dryed up from a long term disease, had I not built up my body like I did making eveerything stronger I would have been introuble sooner, Riods are a good thing used properly, I will stand behind that statment with no appolgies EVER. like I said 905 of roid users are idiots and take to much and screw themselfs up for life. Its bad stuff in the wrong hands. reggie Jackson told me and a pro bodybuilder at breakfast about 6 years ago that when he played they all used roids back then, when A-Rod got the $24,000,000 contract thats when everyone started kicking up the doses and it got out of control. reggie still works in MLB and I heard it from him about the drug users of today ....well last year, no more 70 hr seasons, and Sosa with his fat face was taking way to much grear(Roids) Roids are like wine a glass a day is nice (not for me) but a gallon a day will kill you-problem is no roid users are smart enough to do blood work to be sure they arent harming themselfs.

Roids dont make the records all they do is make the player more capable of breaking records you still have to put the work in, just like pool there are no short cuts, roids just speed up your ability to recover from strength training and therefore make you stronger in a shorter period of time, that all they do, nothing more. They dont make your Pee Pee smaller, Roid rage is a joke and an excuse for poor behavior, there is so much phony blonoy information about them it makes me sick, I was around that world for 10 years.

People awalys get shy and ask if my roid use was the reason my back went bad, it was worse before I started juicing and got better for 10 years because I was taking drugs, i used them in cycles not all the time, probably 20% of the time. Everyone is scared of what they dont know about but so quick to judge, are all pool players degenerate gamblers or do we like $20 tournments or $5 9ball? same thing different world, playing $5 9ball isnt gonna hurt you nor will the correct doses of roids. some are very toxic and shouldnt be used, and you shouldnt play $5000 9ball with SVB right now, gotta do your homework like anything.