A WHO report on Cocaine the US does not want you to see

[LMNO]

The report looks like BS though.  Not one citation in the entire thing, and no data.  Details on the methods are sparse as hell for such a large study.  It mentions public perception in some places but gives no indication of whether or not that perception is right.  I'd shove it under a rug too, its not useful the way its written, and its so sloppy its embarrassing.

This appears to be a common problem... If a report isn't properly documented, it's useless; and even if the conclusions are true, you can't use it as a basis for reference.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

The report looks like BS though.  Not one citation in the entire thing, and no data.  Details on the methods are sparse as hell for such a large study.  It mentions public perception in some places but gives no indication of whether or not that perception is right.  I'd shove it under a rug too, its not useful the way its written, and its so sloppy its embarrassing.

This appears to be a common problem... If a report isn't properly documented, it's useless; and even if the conclusions are true, you can't use it as a basis for reference.

Also, I'm going to rely on anecdotal evidence for this one, to wit:  Every single person I've known that has done coke has completely gone to shit.

[LMNO]

I've done coke.

PROOF ENOUGH FOR YOU?!

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I've done coke.

PROOF ENOUGH FOR YOU?!

Well, you ARE the only case of coke-driven satyriasis that I've seen.

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

I've done coke.

PROOF ENOUGH FOR YOU?!

I also have done coke... though not often. I think that there may be no drug that will fuck up your life as much as there are people who have fucked up lives and drugs just make it worse.

[Cain]

I don't think I've ever used a drug regularly, caffeine aside.  I've tried most things, once or twice, but I don't seem to really have a habit-forming personality.

Which is probably just as well, since there has been a history of alcoholism in my family.

[AFK]

I've done coke.

PROOF ENOUGH FOR YOU?!

I also have done coke... though not often. I think that there may be no drug that will fuck up your life as much as there are people who have fucked up lives and drugs just make it worse.

Yeah, I don't think that is correct at all.  I've seen many a drug user in my time in this field and they come in every shape, size, socio-economic status, color, etc., etc.,  Yeah, you've got your losers who got into drugs and things got much, much worse.  But you also have some "straight and narrows" who go off the path when drugs enter the equation. 

[LMNO]

RWHN, no troll: Do you consider the possibility that there are certain psychological/physiological development types of people that will become addicted to something, and just "need" to find the catalyst that satisfies that addiction?

I mean, when you have addictions to stimulants, narcotics, opiates, hallucinogens, nicotene, alcohol, caffiene, food, porn, online gaming, gambling, and  adrenaline... and you also have an equally large number of people who have indulged and not gotten addicted...

Then is there a possibility that before the physical addiction takes hold, there is an underlying psychological aberration that facilitates the obsession with a particular physiological state?

[AFK]

RWHN, no troll: Do you consider the possibility that there are certain psychological/physiological development types of people that will become addicted to something, and just "need" to find the catalyst that satisfies that addiction?

I mean, when you have addictions to stimulants, narcotics, opiates, hallucinogens, nicotene, alcohol, caffiene, food, porn, online gaming, gambling, and  adrenaline... and you also have an equally large number of people who have indulged and not gotten addicted...

Then is there a possibility that before the physical addiction takes hold, there is an underlying psychological aberration that facilitates the obsession with a particular physiological state?

Oh sure.  I'm not disputing that at all.  What I'm suggesting is that this is very apparent for some, not so apparent for others.  So it is easy to say "well it's not the drugs, it's the stupid people", but as we all know, not all people are that self aware.  But I also believe that there are people who don't have addictive personalities, become curious, want to test boundaries, and then become addicted because the substance they use is very physically addictive.  What are the percentages of all these possibilities?  This is something we are still learning as time goes on.   

[LMNO]

I'm very happy to hear that despite of the things you encounter in your job, you still have the attitued of "needs more research, but until then, let's deal with what's going on right now."

[Cain]

That is why I am very leary of repeat uses of things that are physically addictive.  I know mentally I'm pretty secure, but I don't have control over my physiological reaction.  And also why I generally do not use any (other) drug with anything approaching regularity.

[LMNO]

WHO WANTS A PINT OF SCOTCH!?

[Bebek Sincap Ratatosk]

RWHN, no troll: Do you consider the possibility that there are certain psychological/physiological development types of people that will become addicted to something, and just "need" to find the catalyst that satisfies that addiction?

I mean, when you have addictions to stimulants, narcotics, opiates, hallucinogens, nicotene, alcohol, caffiene, food, porn, online gaming, gambling, and  adrenaline... and you also have an equally large number of people who have indulged and not gotten addicted...

Then is there a possibility that before the physical addiction takes hold, there is an underlying psychological aberration that facilitates the obsession with a particular physiological state?

Oh sure.  I'm not disputing that at all.  What I'm suggesting is that this is very apparent for some, not so apparent for others.  So it is easy to say "well it's not the drugs, it's the stupid people", but as we all know, not all people are that self aware.  But I also believe that there are people who don't have addictive personalities, become curious, want to test boundaries, and then become addicted because the substance they use is very physically addictive.  What are the percentages of all these possibilities?  This is something we are still learning as time goes on.   

That certianly seems to be a possibility for Heroin use... I've seen some very similar reactions by what I thought were sane people.

But then, they used Heroin, so I'm not sure that my assessment of their mental state was at all correct...  

[AFK]

The field really focuses more on the person than the substance these days.  It's another reason I hate the "War on Drugs" term because it really is a misnomer.  My point of view isn't that drugs need to be illegal because the drugs are evil and bad.  It's because the monkeys are, well monkeys, and screw themselves up with them, and cannot be trusted to not screw themselves up, to the detriment of their communities.  Nevermind the angle of adolescents who are still developing physically, mentally, and socially who get thrown off track after getting mixed up with substances.  

[LMNO]

Well, I've also known people who use herion who have not damaged their personal or social lives, in the same way that I know weekend binge drinkers who have not damaged their social or personal lives...



... that is to say, I tack on a big "YET" to those statements.