Things that give you the sh1ts

[Q.]

Great article by Dr Caldicott:

What is ‘drug checking’ and why do we need it in Australia?

There are those who feel the process underscores some sort of capitulation in an already failed War On Drugs. On the contrary – by providing a medical and toxicological context, we can “nudge” the behaviour of consumers in a far more persuasive manner than by the mere threat of criminalisation. In their eyes, the law is something to be eluded; death and permanent impairment is a much more serious prospect.

Against the charge that it might encourage drug consumption, we would agree – if it was our plan to deploy the intervention outside supermarkets, or primary schools. But the intervention deliberately targets the highest of the high risk, the venues where patrons have already chosen to consume illicit drugs. It’s not possible to encourage them any more - only to persuade them to moderate their ways.

At no stage are users ever advised that what has been tested is “safe” – the only way to be completely safe from drug-related harm is to not take drugs.

[JK]

The price of grog, especially "girly drinks", these days is pretty helpful at leading younger people to alternate mind altering substances. Whether the government legitimately hopes to protect younger people from the ills of alcohol, or are able to use the reasoning to increase their revenue probably depends on what each individual believes. But there is a potential downside to it.

Now of course the government didn't make this lad pop a goog, nor anyone else for that matter. The war on drugs can never be won imho, just have to keep trying to find better ways at achieving harm minimization.

Thoughts with family, friends and the lad himself.

[Booney]

The fatality rate vs the buzz created.

It's a ratio that the youth over today are willing to risk with, there's too much "it wont happen to me" mentality.

Many of them use the drugs that often, perhaps weekly, that the "it won't happen to me" attitude doesn't even exist. "Been doing pingers from *name names here* for months mate, they're all good".

Actually, the majority of users of MDMA take it infrequently and generally only at 'events'. They are functional users who lead normal lives.

I don't totally agree on the usage, I do agree on the functionality though. Many users are weekend users who go about Monday to Friday like the rest of us, it's typically not a daily drug like many others are or can be.

[nuggety goodness]

There is an answer and i along with many others have found it...

Not trying to get on my soapbax and start another tangent argument but the unfortunate fact is that drugs and alcohol along with mental health issues (stemming many times from traumatic experiences and abuse) are creating a society which is constantly being degraded and destroyed. Families and households are then ripped apart by drugs and alcohol and many times its not the person who takes it but the circle around them that is affected.

I have had my life, and seen countless others turned around not by church, not by religion but by God.

Say what you like but there are some things that we can't fix and we can't change, but i know He can!

I was happy with my life and i was one of those young bulletproof risk takers but i was on my way to being a headline too before i allowed God to intervene.

[OnSong]

Time to introduce testing facilities. Remove the unknown element of the risk.
The substance is tested, the client is advised of what's in it, what possible side effects are, and encouraged not to take it.
Then whether it is consumed or not is at the discretion of the client, fully aware of possible dangers.

[Q.]

Not trying to get on my soapbax and start another tangent argument but the unfortunate fact is that drugs and alcohol along with mental health issues (stemming many times from traumatic experiences and abuse) are creating a society which is constantly being degraded and destroyed. Families and households are then ripped apart by drugs and alcohol and many times its not the person who takes it but the circle around them that is affected.

The majority of drug users lead functional and normal lives.

[nuggety goodness]

Not trying to get on my soapbax and start another tangent argument but the unfortunate fact is that drugs and alcohol along with mental health issues (stemming many times from traumatic experiences and abuse) are creating a society which is constantly being degraded and destroyed. Families and households are then ripped apart by drugs and alcohol and many times its not the person who takes it but the circle around them that is affected.

The majority of drug users lead functional and normal lives.

I have no doubt about that. But unfortunately 'most' young people don't grasp the idea of responsible drug use. You either do or you don't. And the responsible users make it look like an acceptable option, but truth is it's not a good one.

[Lightning McQueen]

Not trying to get on my soapbax and start another tangent argument but the unfortunate fact is that drugs and alcohol along with mental health issues (stemming many times from traumatic experiences and abuse) are creating a society which is constantly being degraded and destroyed. Families and households are then ripped apart by drugs and alcohol and many times its not the person who takes it but the circle around them that is affected.

The majority of drug users lead functional and normal lives.

I have no doubt about that. But unfortunately 'most' young people don't grasp the idea of responsible drug use. You either do or you don't. And the responsible users make it look like an acceptable option, but truth is it's not a good one.

You think so? I thought it was more of a lucky dip, you might get one that causes an adverse reaction or somehow your body doesn't react well to it.
I'm no expert in the field.

[Q.]

You think so? I thought it was more of a lucky dip, you might get one that causes an adverse reaction or somehow your body doesn't react well to it.
I'm no expert in the field.

The biggest threat to safety is para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA). It's synthesized from anethole, which is easier to come by (due to drug laws) than safrole, which is the precursor to MDMA.

[Booney]

Time to introduce testing facilities. Remove the unknown element of the risk.
The substance is tested, the client is advised of what's in it, what possible side effects are, and encouraged not to take it.
Then whether it is consumed or not is at the discretion of the client, fully aware of possible dangers.

If a testing station took 30 minutes to test the substance that's 30 minutes of focused "point of sale" (obviously not the actual point of sale but point of use) education for the user. I'd suggest that any substances containing rat poison, bleach, draino etc that it would be easier to convince the person not to take if they were given the results of the tests prior to ingesting it.

[Lightning McQueen]

You think so? I thought it was more of a lucky dip, you might get one that causes an adverse reaction or somehow your body doesn't react well to it.
I'm no expert in the field.

The biggest threat to safety is para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA). It's synthesized from anethole, which is easier to come by (due to drug laws) than safrole, which is the precursor to MDMA.

Is that what all the arm scratchers have been using?

[Q.]

You think so? I thought it was more of a lucky dip, you might get one that causes an adverse reaction or somehow your body doesn't react well to it.
I'm no expert in the field.

The biggest threat to safety is para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA). It's synthesized from anethole, which is easier to come by (due to drug laws) than safrole, which is the precursor to MDMA.

Is that what all the arm scratchers have been using?

Nah, different again. Ice is straight up methamphetamine hydrochloride.

[Footy Chick]

I'm speaking as someone who's never used drugs in their life.

Drugs are feral and no doubt in some part responsible for the shit society we know find ourselves living in., yet instead of doing anything to get rid of it, we're expected to confirm and accept that it's now a part of life.

My arse I will. Keep that shit away from me.

[Booney]

At best, it's naive to think the problem will just go away.

[Q.]

Fact is, mind alteration in all it's forms is very much a part of life and alcohol is at the forefront of it.

[nuggety goodness]

Fact is, mind alteration in all it's forms is very much a part of life and alcohol is at the forefront of it.

This is true.

are drugs good or bad?

Are they acceptable?

[Magellan]

are drugs good or bad?

[OnSong]

Time to introduce testing facilities. Remove the unknown element of the risk.
The substance is tested, the client is advised of what's in it, what possible side effects are, and encouraged not to take it.
Then whether it is consumed or not is at the discretion of the client, fully aware of possible dangers.

If a testing station took 30 minutes to test the substance that's 30 minutes of focused "point of sale" (obviously not the actual point of sale but point of use) education for the user. I'd suggest that any substances containing rat poison, bleach, draino etc that it would be easier to convince the person not to take if they were given the results of the tests prior to ingesting it.

Yeah, that's what I'm suggesting?

[Booney]

Time to introduce testing facilities. Remove the unknown element of the risk.
The substance is tested, the client is advised of what's in it, what possible side effects are, and encouraged not to take it.
Then whether it is consumed or not is at the discretion of the client, fully aware of possible dangers.

If a testing station took 30 minutes to test the substance that's 30 minutes of focused "point of sale" (obviously not the actual point of sale but point of use) education for the user. I'd suggest that any substances containing rat poison, bleach, draino etc that it would be easier to convince the person not to take if they were given the results of the tests prior to ingesting it.

Yeah, that's what I'm suggesting?

Yes, I agree.

[nuggety goodness]

are drugs good or bad?

Yes they are bad, so why are we even considering these testing stations. It is condoning use!

It's ok to use drugs as long as they don't have ratsak in them!!! Forget that!!!!

It sh1ts me that people like me are likened to characters like this and Ned Flanders and the likes because we don't agree that drugs are acceptable.