Your Body:

To me, I feel people have a right to put whatever they want in their body, as long as it doesn't effect anyone else. (What's more, I don't see how one can make the argument that abortion should be legal because it's the mother's body, but then be against the usage of drugs! Hypocritical. With that said, I'm pro-life though (except in rape, or if it endangers the mother) haha).

Try Everything:

I also believe if people are interested, then give it a try. I wont lie, being in college I did get peer pressured into weed, did it a few times, didn't like it. So I don't do it. And I won't ever do it again. Not my thing.

Moderation:

Which brings me to moderation. As the cliche saying goes, everything in moderation is ok. And that's true. Of course the problem with drugs is that most can't do it in moderation.....

Responsibility:

But you can do drugs in moderation, and responsibly. As I said, I hate Weed, so I have no reason to argue for it. (And sadly, my good friends from last year - Freshman year - got hooked on it, and I never hang out with them now because of it). But I still don't see a problem smoking it once a weekend or whatever, as long as you're not hurting your family life, your social life, or your grades or work etc.

Alcohol:

This does it right here. This is the best argument ever. Alcohol is the most  (or at least one of the most) dangerous drug: FACT.

Yet it is legal. And it makes no sense. Either legalize Weed and XTC then, or ban alcohol all together.

Alcohol exhibits everything about drugs, since it is a drug. People can become addicted. It can kill. It can completely destroy a person with respect to family, friends, other lives (DUIs), education, work, etc.

Yet, if used in moderation and responsibly its fine. -- JUST LIKE WEED AND XTC

Weed and XTC:

Fact is no one has ever died directly due to either these 2 substances (XTC users have died bc either of a.) Dehyration, b.) Water intoxication, c.) it was laced with something) But the chemical MDMA in its purest form is 100% safe.

Alcohol on the other hand, kills indirectly of course (just as weed and xtc do) BUT ALSO directly....theres hundreds of people world wide right now dying of alcohol poisoning.

Prohibition:

Just simply doesn't work. Never worked. And never will work. Even under age drinking (21 yrs old in the US) doesnt even work! Millions of people take illegal drugs every weekend. If people want drugs, they'll get drugs. Simple as. The government is wasting time, effort, and money on a failing program.

Regulation:

The Government should rather regulate such products. It's much safer. You know what you're getting then. As stated above, XTC is only dangerous because its usually laced with dangerous things. But if the Government controlled it, you would then know you're 100% confident of getting pure MDMA.

Government Hype:

Government completely hyped the dangers of MDMA/XTC in the 1980s. Everyone was doing it - teens, parents, etc. Then the government clamped down on it and made it illegal -- and their reasons claiming its dangers have now been proven to be scientifically FALSE. And in fact, recent studies have shown  MDMA can help depressed people.

Watch this ABC Special Report on XTC with Peter Jennings called "Ecstacy Rising" -- it will open your eyes and show you what I'm on about. It's DISGRACEFUL what the government did there

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XjvNCijeYlI

My Prediction:

In 50 years or less, drugs such as XTC and Weed will be either regulated or decriminalized. There's talk about that now, but of course its not serious talk at this time. But it will happen. Prohibition doesnt work, and regulation is safer than what is occuring now, what with laced drugs and such.  

To me, the government really is disgraceful. They know prohibition doesnt work. They know people will do drugs no matter what. And they know it's a dodgy underground and unsafe business currently. Why not connect the dots then? The government has an obligation to protect it's citizens safety, and the only way to do so would be through regulation.

Personally:

I don't do illegal drugs not because they're illegal, but because a.) it's not risk getting caught, but mainly b.) it's not safe because you dont know what could be laced in such pills

I do use legals though (it's all the rage in England, apparently -- Im in the US) Found out about it last Summer. And only use them responsibly. I do so because I like them and its fun of course, but also because it sticks a big middle finger up at the government through this loophole (and these legals really do work well, mind you lol) -- and since it's an actual company I know its not laced with rat poision. -- Of course the downside is that its not approved by the FDA, so the long term implications are not clear, we're basically guniee pigs

First Profound Statement:

But I'd rather die young having a laugh experiencing such things, than die old and not have experienced any of it.

Conclusion:

Drugs aren't bad. Drugs have the POTENTIAL to become bad if the user is unable to control him/herself. But really, there is no harm in using a substances one a weekend if it effects no one but yourself.

My Profound Statement:

I'll leave you with this --

If society can function well enough on such a dangerous substance as alcohol, then it can also function on lesser potent drugs such as XTC and Weed.

You're thoughts? Criticism of some or all of my points are welcome, along with agreements. Let's have a proper good debate on this. You know where I stand. How about you?

**Mind you, I do believe that the real dangerous stuff like Heroin should forever and always be banned. But most of the other current illegals are safer than alcohol.

*One last thing: People should be able to think for themselves. We claim to be intellectuals, thus why should the government tell me what to do, when in fact I know full well drug usage wont interfere negatively with anyone or anything? To me, it's the weak person who always follows authority and never thinks for themselves....

Post edited at 8:52 pm on Feb. 18, 2008 by TheIntellect

The truth is these three drugs are the real problem.  Not because they are dangerous but because of the amount of violence that surrounds them.  They fund gangs, pay for illegal firearms, and encourage stealing.  

As far as ecstasy goes you have it pretty much right.  MDMA is one the safest substances in existence however ecstasy is probably one of the most dangerous drugs.  Pills are often impure and the quality varies greatly between prints and even pills in the same batch.  There is also a huge lack of education when it comes to drugs, people need to learn that research is key when doing any substance.  

In related news in 2-3 years MDMA may be approved by the FDA for use in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder a disorder that commonly effects soldiers and rape victims.  I did a 15 page report on it last semester and honestly it is about the only drug where a 1 time session can completely cure a psychological disorder.  

-------
How drunk am I?
On a scale of 1 to Abraham Lincoln I am yellow.

And I will NEVER try MDMA as long as it remains illegal. Again:
A.) Not worth the risk of going to jail over it
B.) XTC is laced often now, that it's not worth my risk

But thats the ONLY one i've ever been interested in. And it frustrates me after watching that documentary that there's no good reason for it to be illegal.

But I do truly believe in our life time, when our kids are growing up, some of these drugs -- including XTC -- will be legalized to at least some extent. So maybe I will get my chance one day? lol

Mind you, the thing about drugs is that EVERYONE DOES IT

Seriously. Police, Lawyers, Politicians, Doctors, etc. I hate when people use "Druggie" stereotypes. Simply not true.

Bill Clinton tried Weed when he was president when he went to England one time. That's so hypocritical! It's ok for him and government officials to do drugs, but they charge people as criminals if they do it.

What's more, drug users sometimes get worse sentences than rapists or murderes. That's just crazy and falt out wrong.

I know that the "middle finger to the government" and rebel stance is childish, especially as I'm now 20. But I believe in it. I need to be 21 to drink, but of course like 99% of the population I dont follow that. I dont drink much though, but i still do it. Byt the drinking age is for another thread.

Ironically, I'm majoring in political science and will either be a lawyer or some government official one day lol.

Mind you, I think Ron Paul is a lunatic, but he's spot on with this concept. Even as far back as the 1980s:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=88REf0tjZHo