Drugs . Why such a heated debate ?

[legend760]

i was debating the drug issue on another site.
and i wondered why is it when you have a debate about illegal drugs the first reaction of the drug users is " well what about cigarettes?what about alcohol?"
i think to myself "well what about them ?theyre not illegal ? your hash or E is . so why change the subject?"
anyone got any opinions not on the drugs debate but why the drug users try to change the subject rather than enter a debate about the illegal drugs ?

[chacha2chins]

It's because they are justifying addictions.

They may very well add gambling, video games, sex, and more.

Those addictions are all legal for the most part.

Perhaps you need to narrow your criteria to a specific type of addiction then solicit responses.

[cazzz1975]

like every addiction, you only see it for what it really is when you have stopped using. many and like chacha so rightly says are trying to justify the addiction.

most people have addictions, some addictions are life enhancing some are devastating, if you know your addiction can be devastating but you are too weak (or addicted) to give it up then its expected that you would begin to justify its use, however bizarre that justification sounds.

but you only realise how bizarre when you are no longer in the grip of addiction...

[IggyB]

well they are debating the harmful affects of drug use instead of just the illegality of the action, i think this would make for a more interesting debate on the issue rather than just discussing its illegality and whether or not breaking that law bothers you personally... i think most of us have broken a law or two at some point but some must feel more strongly about some laws than others.

on a side note i have often found that in debates about speed cameras if i am to mention that they are absolutely fine by me because as long as you don't speed then you won't get fined i often find people banging on about revenue creation and them causing accidents etc rather than just agreeing to slow down a bit

[China Doll]

Drugs is an emotive subject and always has been. I've never been that sure why.

I suspect that the point trying to be made with the retort of ciggies and beer is that they too are drugs. But they're acceptable to society because they're legal. I have said the same thing myself.

It's entering in to the debate rather than running from it in my opinion. A debate is about having your view point challenged, they're just challenging your view point of what is acceptable.

[Goodsoulette]

but tis straying from the point! When the debate is about illegal drugs its not FAIR to bring legal drugs that kill 1000s of people a year into the debate. After all it was decided hundreds of years ago that it was legal to smoke and drink.

[aka pixi]

Whether its legal or not if the thread is about addictive substances then surely alcohol comes into it.

[legend760]

"Whether its legal or not if the thread is about addictive substances then surely alcohol comes into it. "

good point pixi , only IF the debate is about addictive substances.
if however its about the legality of the drugs then there isnt any point in mentioning ciggies or booze as theyre legal.you might as well mentuion diet coke , mars bars , coffee and sudoku as they are highly addictive too.
though i doubt any soduku junkies have robbed anyone to buy a puzzle book.
the same cant be said about heroin users.
who , if the police are to be believed , are responsibile for the majority of shoplifting in the uk to fund their drug habit , an ILLEGAL habit at that.
thanks for clarifying pixi : - )